16 April 2013 Last updated at 13:05

Is inflation making you poorer?

• Calculator uses inflation data from February 2013 [RPI]
• Works at fairly broad level and outcome is only an estimate
• Your personal financial information is safe - all calculations are carried out on your computer

• Inflation calculator FAQs

The rate of Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation in the UK rose to 3.3% in March, up from 3.2% in February.

But your personal rate of inflation may not match the official rate of inflation. Use this calculator to get a more accurate picture of how inflation affects you.

The calculator was developed with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Information entered is safe, as it stays on your computer.

Continue reading the main story

STEP 1. FILL IN YOUR DETAILS

Monthly spending

How to fill in this section

Next to every category type the amount you spend on it per month. Use numbers but do not use £ sign. Leave 0 in any sections that do not apply to you.

Food - all food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed at home; not take aways. Meals out - include take aways, exclude alcoholic drinks. Alcohol - include all bought for consumption at home or away from home. Phone charges - include mobile phones and internet access. Clothing and footwear - exclude accessories. Fuel for transport - include lubricants. Rail and bus fares include tram/ tube fares, car hire, taxis. Other expenditure - include housekeeping, personal posessions - excluding electrical goods - and costs for professional, financial, household, health and beauty and entertainment services.

Food

Meals out

Alcohol

Tobacco

Phone charges

Clothing and Footwear

Fuel for transport

Heating and lighting

Rail and bus fares

Child care services

Chemists goods

Other expenditure

Annual spending

How to fill in this section

Next to every category type the amount you spend on it per year. Use numbers but do not use £ sign. Leave 0 in any sections that do not apply to you.

Council tax - rates if you live in N Ireland. House insurance and water - include sewage costs plus ground rent. Housing repairs - include goods and services, exclude major repairs and improvements such as extensions. Vehicle repairs - include goods and services. UK and foreign holidays and airfares - exclude work-related travel. Furnishings and electrical goods - include floor coverings, audio-visual and computer equipment, exclude gas appliances, cameras or equipment for hobbies or sports.

Council tax

House insurance and water

Housing repairs

Vehicle repair

Vehicle tax and insurance

UK and foreign holidays and airfares

Furnishings and electrical goods

Housing Costs

How to fill in this section

Type the appropriate amount next to each category in numbers. Do not use £ sign. Leave 0 in any sections that do not apply to you.

Value of your property - an estimated total current value, include all properties if you own more than one. Value of outstanding mortgage - total outstanding amount on any mortgages you have. Rent (per month) - exclude utilities and ground rent, include university accommodation fees. Where you live - if more than one property, choose region of principal residence.

Value of your property (if owner)

Value of outstanding mortgage

Rent (monthly)

Where you live North East North West Yorkshire and The Humber East Midlands West Midlands East of England London South East South West Wales Scotland Northern Ireland

STEP 2. CALCULATE YOUR RESULTS

Your results

Mortgage Interest Payments*

(a) House Depreciation*

(a) Car Expenditure*

 
Your cost of living changes by   text   a year

 
 

Compared with overall national inflation rate of 3.3% per year
(March RPI figure)
 
 

Your
inflation rate

National
inflation rate

What is inflation?

Inflation is the rate of change in the level of prices for goods and services, which affects the purchasing power of money. The official consumer inflation figures (RPI and CPI) measure the change in prices charged for goods and services bought by households in the UK. It is based on average spending patterns for UK households.

What do my results mean?

Your personal inflation rate reflects the impact of changing prices on you or your household, taking into account your personal spending pattern.

So if you spend relatively more on items with higher price increases, such as petrol and food, you will have a personal inflation rate that is higher than the official CPI or RPI figures suggest.

Similarly, if you spend relatively more on items with lower price increases, or even price decreases, you will experience a lower personal inflation rate (examples of such items include computers, audio visual equipment and clothing).

The inflation calculator deals only with your expenditure and does not include your income. If your total income is not increasing at the same rate as your personal inflation rate, then you will be worse off.

You will find more information in the Inflation calculator FAQs.