Lifestyle inflation—and how to keep your margin
When my income went up, I noticed expenses creeping up too—and my margin barely moved. I built this so you can compare two scenarios: last year vs this year. See how much margin you gained or lost, and what your margin would be if you’d kept expenses flat.
"The hardest financial skill is getting the goalpost to stop moving."
Lifestyle inflation check
Compare “last year” vs “this year” (or any two scenarios). Numbers pre-filled from your profile.
Last year (or before)
Margin: $2,050/mo
This year (or after)
Margin: $2,000/mo
If you’d kept expenses at last year’s level, your margin would be $2,300/month.
Keep expenses flat when income rises. Margin grows. Track yours with Margin Score and build wealth faster.
How to beat lifestyle inflation
When you get a raise, save or invest the difference instead of upgrading spending. Automate transfers to savings so the “extra” never hits your checking account. Your future self will thank you.
Related research
The ideas in this guide are backed by academic and policy research. We organize fundamental studies by Margin Score pillar on our Research page.
View research for this pillar →