The Inflation Reality Check: What is Your Money Actually Worth?
You got a raise. You are earning more numbers than you did 5 years ago. So why do you feel broke? It’s not in your head—it’s in the currency. Official inflation numbers (CPI) often hide the truth about lifestyle costs.
At Hancerz, we built this engine to calculate your Real Purchasing Power. We don’t just look at the price of wheat; we look at the cost of maintaining a modern standard of living.
Calculate Your Real Net Income
📉 Purchasing Power Check
Are you keeping up with the world?
How This Calculator Works (The “Zinger Index” Logic)
Most inflation calculators use government data that lags behind reality. The Hancerz Engine uses a “Lifestyle Basket” approach. We analyze the devaluation of currency against:
- Hard Assets: Gold and Dollar parity.
- Daily Commodities: Fuel, electricity, and food prices (The “Zinger Index”).
- Tech & Imports: The cost of phones, laptops, and vehicles.
“Earning 100,000 PKR in 2018 is roughly equivalent to earning 260,000 PKR in 2025. If you aren’t hitting that number, you have technically taken a pay cut.” — Salik Ahmed, Founder of Hancerz.
Why Your Salary “Feels” Smaller
This phenomenon is called Currency Debasement. When the money supply increases or the currency devalues against the dollar, your savings effectively evaporate while sitting in the bank. This tool exposes the “Silent Tax” that eats away at your hard work.
3 Ways to Fix Your Purchasing Power
If the calculator above gave you a “Critical Mismatch” warning, you cannot save your way out of it. You need to expand.
- Dollarize Your Income: Start earning in stable currencies via freelancing or digital products.
- Asset Allocation: Move liquid cash into Gold, Real Estate, or Business Inventories.
- Use Hancerz Tools: We build tools to help you automate business and multiply wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much is 50,000 PKR in 2018 worth today?
To buy the same amount of goods that 50,000 PKR bought in 2018, you would need approximately 130,000 PKR to 140,000 PKR today, due to the rupee’s devaluation and cumulative inflation.
Is official CPI accurate for the middle class?
Generally, no. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks basic survival goods. It often underestimates inflation for the middle class, which spends more on fuel, private education, technology, and imported goods.
What is the best hedge against inflation in Pakistan?
Historically, Gold, Real Estate, and USD-pegged assets have performed best against the devaluation of the Rupee. However, starting a digital business remains the highest ROI hedge.