The government publishes a CPI that is intended to reveal how much prices have changed. However, prices for individual goods move independently (e.g. gas can be up 20% while computers are down 10%). To calculate a single CPI number, the government assumes the spending patterns of an average consumer.

However, spending patterns can differ significantly. This site uses individual item price data and consumer spending data to help you discover: 1) the varying impact of price changes on different demographic groups, and 2) the impact of price changes onyou, given your particular spending pattern.