True Cost 2022.1

The True Cost application facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of expenditures by translating them into relatable time units, rather than abstract monetary values such as dollars or euros. This approach enables users to assess their financial decisions in terms of the time required to earn their money, fostering a deeper understanding of their spending habits.

While money has played a pivotal role in advancing human development—enabling trade and labor specialization—its existence has also distanced us from the tangible relationship between time spent earning and the goods and services purchased. The rise of cashless transactions and credit systems has further complicated this connection, making it challenging for individuals to convert virtual monetary figures into the working hours or days required to acquire them.

To address this disconnect, it is advisable to invest a few moments in calculating the True Cost of planned purchases or expenses. For more precise assessments, users are encouraged to deduct their essential monthly expenditures—such as housing, food, and transportation—from their income, an option conveniently available in the app's settings.

The application’s expense overview feature provides insights into monthly outlays and reveals the amount of "free" time available after necessary expenses. Additionally, the provided Cheat Sheet serves as a reminder of the real value of time, allowing users to conduct simple estimations mentally.

Since spending often correlates with salary increases, it may be beneficial to base calculations on previous or initial salary figures instead of current earnings. This perspective can lead to a more grounded understanding of financial choices.

For users who are fortunate enough to secure higher incomes yet wish to manage spending more judiciously, it is possible to set a lower salary figure for calculations—perhaps reflecting the average salary within their city or country, or even the income level of parents. This practice imbues seemingly minor purchases with greater significance.

Considering the sensitive nature of financial data, users can safeguard their salary and spending information with password protection or biometric security options such as TouchID or FaceID. Furthermore, all data is securely stored exclusively on the user's device, ensuring privacy and control.