True Cost Calculator
This True Cost Calculator helps you understand how much a purchase really costs — not just in money, but in hours of work. By converting prices into time and long-term value, this tool helps you make clearer spending decisions, especially for everyday budgeting in the Philippines.
Many Filipinos ask questions like “I earn ₱30,000 a month — is this purchase worth it?” or “How many days of work does this really cost me?”
This True Cost Calculator helps you answer those questions clearly, using your salary and real working hours.
What this calculator helps you do
In the Philippines, many purchases feel affordable at first — until you compare them to your actual take-home pay.
This calculator helps you see the real cost of a purchase in work hours, not just pesos, so you can make more intentional spending decisions.
This tool is designed for everyday earners in the Philippines, but can be used anywhere by adjusting the currency and assumptions.
Last reviewed: January 2026
Enter your details below
Use your actual monthly income and working hours to see how much a purchase really costs in time and effort.
Precious Metals (optional)
Pre-filled with today’s estimated prices per ounce. Adjust if needed.
Your results are based on your monthly income, working hours, and simple assumptions. Adjust the numbers to reflect your real situation for more realistic estimates.
Enter your details on the left, then tap Calculate True Cost to see the results here.
This calculator provides illustrative estimates only and is not financial advice. Results are based on simplified assumptions and may not reflect real-world outcomes.
How Filipinos can think about the real cost of spending
In the Philippines, prices are often evaluated only in pesos — but that doesn’t always show the full picture. A ₱1,500 purchase may look small on paper, yet when compared to a monthly salary and actual working hours, it can represent several days of work. Thinking about spending in terms of time helps make everyday decisions clearer and more grounded.
Many Filipino earners juggle fixed expenses like rent, utilities, food, and transportation. When income is limited, even “affordable” items can quietly reduce savings or increase stress. Viewing costs through the lens of work hours instead of price tags helps highlight trade-offs that aren’t obvious at first glance.
This approach isn’t about avoiding spending — it’s about spending with awareness. By understanding how much time and effort a purchase truly represents, you can make more intentional choices, whether you’re budgeting for essentials, considering a big purchase, or deciding what can wait. For everyday earners in the Philippines, clarity often matters more than complex financial formulas.
Frequently Asked Questions
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