National average inflation rates can rise or fall, but the only number that makes a difference in your life is one that’s hidden from you unless you do some legwork to uncover it. Tracking and categorizing your purchases over time allows you to get a handle on how your budget and priorities evolve over time in relation to the fluctuating market.

Deposit Accounts offers a guide on how to identify your personal inflation rate. The post suggests using personal finance software to separate your spending into categories including food, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education/communication and other goods and services.

Over time, you can see which cost increases hurt you the most, recalibrate your spending and get a more clear idea of which issues — for instance, your city proposing higher public transportation taxes — affect you most.

What’s Your Personal Inflation Rate? [Deposit Accounts]

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