Our data
Every plan starts from figures for the country it is made for — inflation, returns, what a household typically spends, how other households compare. Here is where each one comes from. You can change any rate in your own plan.
United States
23 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024, two-person consumer units (annual ÷ 12) | Derived | 2024 |
| Utilities | BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024, two-person consumer units (annual ÷ 12) — utilities, fuels & public services | Derived | 2024 |
| Transport | BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024, two-person consumer units (annual ÷ 12) — transport excl. vehicle purchases | Derived | 2024 |
| Phone, internet and devices | BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024, two-person consumer units (annual ÷ 12) | Derived | 2024 |
| Everything else | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Insurance premium or Medicare supplement | BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024, two-person consumer units (annual ÷ 12) — health insurance | Derived | 2024 |
| Out-of-pocket maximum buffer | BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024, two-person consumer units (annual ÷ 12) — out-of-pocket medical | Derived | 2024 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | US property tax is levied by county and varies more within the country than between most countries. The range spans typical state effective rates. | Documented | — |
| HOA fee | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Survey of Consumer Finances 2025 — Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2022 to 2025; historic Table 4, family net worth by selected characteristics | Measured | 2025 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Internal Revenue Service, Topic no. 409, Capital gains and losses — long-term rates 0/15/20% | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | OECD (via FRED), OECD share-price index, United States (SPASTT01USM661N) — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, from published government yields, Bond sleeve volatility, derived from government yields (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, from published index and yield series, Correlation of monthly equity and bond returns (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | Federal Reserve Board, Fed G.19 Consumer Credit: credit card plans, accounts assessed interest | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | Federal Reserve Board, Fed G.19: 24-month personal loan | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | Freddie Mac (via FRED), Freddie Mac PMMS, MORTGAGE30US (30-year fixed) | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | Federal Reserve Board, Fed G.19: 60-month new car loan, commercial banks | Measured | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | FDIC national rate, 12-month deposit rate — FDIC national rate, 12-month CD, 21 Sep 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
Canada
23 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Bank of Canada, Inflation-control target, 2% midpoint of 1–3% | Measured | 2026 |
| School cost inflation | Statistics Canada, CPI Education (v41693496, Table 18-10-0005-01), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Statistics Canada, CPI tuition fees (v41693497, Table 18-10-0005-01), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | Aon, 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates report — Canada, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Statistics Canada, SEPH average weekly earnings, all employees (Table 14-10-0204-01), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Bank of Canada target, midpoint of 1–3%; DMS, Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023, summary edition (1900–2022), Table 1, p.16 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, Bank of Canada Valet BD.CDN.10YR.DQ.YLD, mean Nov 2021–Oct 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending 2023, Table 11-10-0224-01 (annual ÷ 12) | Derived | 2023 |
| Utilities | Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending 2023, Table 11-10-0224-01 (annual ÷ 12) | Derived | 2023 |
| Transport | Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending 2023, Table 11-10-0224-01 (annual ÷ 12) — transport excl. vehicle purchase and air | Derived | 2023 |
| Phone, internet and devices | Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending 2023, Table 11-10-0224-01 (annual ÷ 12) | Derived | 2023 |
| Everything else | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Supplementary cover | Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending 2023, Table 11-10-0224-01 (annual ÷ 12) — health premiums | Derived | 2023 |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending 2023, Table 11-10-0224-01 (annual ÷ 12) — out-of-pocket health | Derived | 2023 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Condo or HOA fee | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | Statistics Canada, Survey of Financial Security 2023 (Table 11-10-0016-01) — median and mean net worth by age of main income earner | Measured | 2023 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Canada Revenue Agency, Capital gains — one-half inclusion rate on realised gains | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | OECD (via FRED), OECD share-price index, Canada (SPASTT01CAM661N) — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, from published government yields, Bond sleeve volatility, derived from government yields (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, from published index and yield series, Correlation of monthly equity and bond returns (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | Bank of Canada, Bank of Canada V122667812, card loans (outstanding) | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | Bank of Canada, Bank of Canada V122667804, personal loan plans, new | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | Bank of Canada, Bank of Canada V122667781, new mortgages, uninsured, total | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | Bank of Canada, Bank of Canada V122667805, auto loans, new | Measured | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | Bank of Canada, 12-month deposit rate — Bank of Canada, posted 1-year GIC (V80691339), 14 Oct 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
Australia
21 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Reserve Bank of Australia, Inflation target, 2–3% | Measured | 2026 |
| School cost inflation | Australian Bureau of Statistics, CPI preschool and primary (115495) and secondary education (115496), weighted by the 2025 basket, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Australian Bureau of Statistics, CPI tertiary education (115497), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — Australia, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Australian Bureau of Statistics, Wage Price Index, seasonally adjusted, Q2 2016–Q2 2026 | Derived | 2026-06 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Reserve Bank of Australia target, midpoint of 2–3%; DMS, Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023, summary edition (1900–2022), Table 1, p.16 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, RBA F2.1 10-year Commonwealth Government bond yield, mean of the 60 months to Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2015-16 (cat. 6530.0), cube DO013 Table 13.3A, greater capital cities (weekly × 52/12) — food & non-alcoholic beverages (03) minus meals out (0311) | Derived | 2016-06 |
| Utilities | ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2015-16 (cat. 6530.0), cube DO013 Table 13.3A, greater capital cities (weekly × 52/12) — domestic fuel & power 184 + water & sewerage 68 | Derived | 2016-06 |
| Transport | ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2015-16 (cat. 6530.0), cube DO013 Table 13.3A, greater capital cities (weekly × 52/12) — transport excl. vehicle purchase | Derived | 2016-06 |
| Phone, internet and devices | ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2015-16 (cat. 6530.0), cube DO013 Table 13.3A, greater capital cities (weekly × 52/12) — communication (11) | Derived | 2016-06 |
| Everything else | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Private health cover | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Council rates | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Strata levy | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | Australian Bureau of Statistics, Household Income and Wealth, Australia, 2019-20 — household net worth | Measured | 2020 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Australian Taxation Office, Capital gains tax — 50% discount for assets held over 12 months | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | RBA Table F4, 12-month deposit rate — RBA Table F4, banks’ 1-year term deposit, Sep 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
New Zealand
22 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Inflation target, 1–3% with a 2% focus | Measured | 2026 |
| School cost inflation | Stats NZ, CPI primary and secondary education (SE9102), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Stats NZ, CPI tertiary education (SE9103), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — New Zealand, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Stats NZ, Labour Cost Index, salary and ordinary-time wage rates (LCIQ.SG51Z9), Jun 2016–Jun 2026 | Derived | 2026-06 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Reserve Bank of New Zealand target, 1–3% with a 2% focus; DMS, Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023, summary edition (1900–2022), Table 1, p.16 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, RBNZ B2 10-year government bond yield, mean of the 60 months to Aug 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | Stats NZ Household Expenditure Statistics, year ended June 2023, Table 1 (weekly × 52/12) — food at home | Derived | 2023-06 |
| Utilities | Stats NZ Household Expenditure Statistics, year ended June 2023, Table 1 (weekly × 52/12) — energy + water + refuse | Derived | 2023-06 |
| Transport | Stats NZ Household Expenditure Statistics, year ended June 2023, Table 1 (weekly × 52/12) — private transport supplies & services | Derived | 2023-06 |
| Phone, internet and devices | Stats NZ Household Expenditure Statistics, year ended June 2023, Table 1 (weekly × 52/12) — communication total | Derived | 2023-06 |
| Everything else | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Insurance premium | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Stats NZ Household Expenditure Statistics, year ended June 2023, Table 1 (weekly × 52/12) — health out-of-pocket | Derived | 2023-06 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Council rates | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Body corporate levy | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | Stats NZ (Tatauranga Aotearoa), Household net worth statistics: year ended June 2024 | Measured | 2024 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Inland Revenue (Te Tari Taake), New Zealand has no general capital gains tax; PIE income is taxed at the PIR | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | RBNZ B26, 12-month deposit rate — RBNZ B26, new 1-year term deposits, Sep 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
Singapore
24 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | IMF; Monetary Authority of Singapore, World Economic Outlook (October 2026) 2031 projection; MAS has no inflation target | Measured | 2026-10 |
| School cost inflation | Singapore Department of Statistics, CPI primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary fees and private tuition, weighted by the 2024 basket, 2015–2025 (M213801) | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Singapore Department of Statistics, CPI polytechnic fees (M213801), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — Singapore, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Ministry of Manpower, Median gross monthly income from work, full-time employed residents, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, MAS: no target; "core inflation just under 2%" is its stated view of price stability; DMS, Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023, summary edition (1900–2022), Table 1, p.16 (Singapore from 1966) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, MAS 10-year Singapore Government Securities yield, mean of the 60 months to Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | SingStat Household Expenditure Survey 2023, table 17967 (detailed, by income quintile) — food & non-alcoholic beverages | Derived | 2023 |
| Utilities | SingStat Household Expenditure Survey 2023, table 17967 (detailed, by income quintile) — water + refuse + electricity, gas & fuels | Derived | 2023 |
| Transport | SingStat Household Expenditure Survey 2023, table 17967 (detailed, by income quintile) — operation of vehicles + land transport services | Derived | 2023 |
| Phone, internet and devices | SingStat Household Expenditure Survey 2023, table 17967 (detailed, by income quintile) — ICT services | Derived | 2023 |
| Everything else | SingStat Household Expenditure Survey 2023, table 17967 (detailed, by income quintile) — clothing 119.6 + furnishing & equipment ex domestic services 211.9 | Derived | 2023 |
| Insurance premium | SingStat Household Expenditure Survey 2023, table 17967 (detailed, by income quintile) — insurance connected with health | Derived | 2023 |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | SingStat Household Expenditure Survey 2023, table 17967 (detailed, by income quintile) — health division | Derived | 2023 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Conservancy or management fee | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household income survey | Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat), Household Income 2025, tables 17870 and 17886 — resident employed households | Measured | 2025 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Singapore does not tax capital gains | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | MSCI, MSCI Singapore (998100), SGD, price — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, from published government yields, Bond sleeve volatility, derived from government yields (Jan 2006-Dec 2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, from published index and yield series, Correlation of monthly equity and bond returns (Jan 2006-Dec 2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | DBS Bank, DBS fees and charges FAQ: prevailing credit card interest rate | Derived | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | Monetary Authority of Singapore, Representative personal loan annual percentage rate | Derived | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | CPF Board / HDB, HDB concessionary housing loan (CPF OA rate 2.5% + 0.1) | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | Monetary Authority of Singapore, Representative vehicle loan annual percentage rate | Derived | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | CPF Board blend of the major local banks’ board rates, 12-month deposit rate — CPF Board blend of the major local banks’ board rates (May–Jul 2026) to UOB’s 12-month promotion (Sep–Oct 2026) | Derived | 2026 |
Hong Kong
24 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook (October 2026) — Hong Kong, 2031 projection | Measured | 2026-10 |
| School cost inflation | Census and Statistics Department, Composite CPI, educational services (group 67, formerly school fees), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Census and Statistics Department, Composite CPI, educational services (group 67), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — Hong Kong, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Census and Statistics Department, Annual Earnings and Hours Survey, median monthly wage (Table 220-23011), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2026), 2031 projection; the HKMA has no inflation target; DMS, UBS Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2025, summary edition (1900–2024), p.6, world index (Hong Kong's own 1963– series reflects a catch-up era) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, HKMA HKGB 10-year benchmark yields (Tables 9.4.2 and 10.4.2.1), mean of the 60 months to Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | C&SD 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey, Table 140-09006 (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) — basic food (groups 2–22) | Derived | 2025-09 |
| Utilities | C&SD 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey, Table 140-09006 (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) — electricity, gas and water | Derived | 2025-09 |
| Transport | C&SD 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey, Table 140-09006 (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) — local fares | Derived | 2025-09 |
| Phone, internet and devices | C&SD 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey, Table 140-09006 (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) — information and communications services (74) | Derived | 2025-09 |
| Everything else | C&SD 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey, Table 140-09006 (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) — clothing 687 + durable goods 1,200 + misc goods 1,033 | Derived | 2025-09 |
| Insurance premium | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | C&SD 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey, Table 140-09006 (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) — health services 1,074 + medicines 236 | Derived | 2025-09 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | HK Government press release 2026-10-02: Minimum Allowable Wage HK$5,220 + food allowance HK$1,236, MAW 5,220 is measured (contracts from 3 Oct 2026); excludes accommodation, insurance, agency, travel. | Derived | 2026-10 |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Government rates | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Management fee | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household income survey | Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong SAR, Household income distribution, General Household Survey | Measured | 2025 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong does not tax capital gains | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | HKMA Table 6.4.2, 12-month deposit rate — HKMA Table 6.4.2, 12-month time deposit quoted by major banks, Sep 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
Japan
25 of 52 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Bank of Japan, Price stability target, 2% | Measured | 2026 |
| School cost inflation | Statistics Bureau of Japan, CPI 補習教育 tutorial fees (juku), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Statistics Bureau of Japan, CPI national and private university, private junior college and private vocational school fees, weighted by the 2025-base CPI, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | Aon, 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates report — Japan, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Monthly Labour Survey, total cash earnings, all workers, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Bank of Japan price stability target, 2%; DMS, Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023, summary edition (1900–2022), Table 1, p.16 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, Ministry of Finance JGB 10-year yield, mean of the 60 months to Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | Statistics Bureau 家計調査 家計収支編 2025, 第1-1表, two-or-more-person households, 大都市 column — 食料 | Derived | 2025 |
| Utilities | Statistics Bureau 家計調査 家計収支編 2025, 第1-1表, two-or-more-person households, 大都市 column — 光熱・水道 | Derived | 2025 |
| Transport | Statistics Bureau 家計調査 家計収支編 2025, 第1-1表, two-or-more-person households, 大都市 column — 交通 + 自動車等関係費 | Derived | 2025 |
| Phone, internet and devices | Statistics Bureau 家計調査 家計収支編 2025, 第1-1表, two-or-more-person households, 大都市 column — 通信 | Derived | 2025 |
| Everything else | Statistics Bureau 家計調査 家計収支編 2025, 第1-1表, two-or-more-person households, 大都市 column — その他の消費支出 | Derived | 2025 |
| Insurance premium | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Statistics Bureau 家計調査 家計収支編 2025, 第1-1表, two-or-more-person households, 大都市 column — 保健医療サービス | Derived | 2025 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Statistics Bureau 家計調査 家計収支編 2025, 第1-1表, two-or-more-person households, 大都市 column — 医薬品 + 保健医療用品・器具 | Derived | 2025 |
| Childcare | 家計調査 2025 第4-1表 — 保育費用 ¥9,403/yr over 366 purchasing households per 10,000, Interpretation flagged by the research (購入世帯 read as monthly incidence). | Derived | 2025 |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Fixed asset tax | Japan’s fixed asset tax is set by statute at 1.4% of assessed value, with a city planning tax of up to 0.3% on top. Assessed value runs below market value. | Documented | — |
| Management fee | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | Statistics Bureau of Japan (総務省統計局), 2024 National Survey of Family Income, Consumption and Wealth — net worth by age of household head: medians (table 7-101-1) and means (table 4-4), all households | Measured | 2024 |
| Tax on withdrawals | National Tax Agency (国税庁), Flat 20.315% on capital gains and dividends (15% income, 5% inhabitant, 0.315% surtax) | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | Nikkei (via FRED), Nikkei 225, month-end — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, from published government yields, Bond sleeve volatility, derived from government yields (Jan 2006-Dec 2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, from published index and yield series, Correlation of monthly equity and bond returns (Jan 2006-Dec 2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | Financial Services Agency (Japan), FSA 貸金業関係資料集 (2025-11-28), 3. 業態別貸付金利: credit-card companies, unsecured consumer | Measured | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | Bank of Japan, Representative personal loan annual percentage rate | Derived | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | Japan Housing Finance Agency (住宅金融支援機構), Flat 35, 21-35 years, LTV <= 90%, most-common rate | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | Bank of Japan, Representative vehicle loan annual percentage rate | Derived | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | Bank of Japan, 12-month deposit rate — Bank of Japan, 1-year time deposit under ¥3M (DLDR43TL61YN), Sep 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
India
28 of 56 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Reserve Bank of India, Inflation target 4% ±2, 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 | Measured | 2026-03 |
| School cost inflation | Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, CPI (Combined) tuition and other fees (school share) and private tutor/coaching, weighted by the 2012 basket, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, CPI (Combined) tuition and other fees (school share) and private tutor/coaching, weighted by the 2012 basket, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — India, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, PLFS average monthly earnings, regular salaried, urban, Apr–Jun 2018 to Apr–Jun 2024 | Derived | 2024-06 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Reserve Bank of India target, 4% ±2 to March 2031; DMS, Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023, summary edition (1900–2022), Table 1, p.16 (India 1953–2022, reported in the press) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, OECD Main Economic Indicators long-term interest rate, India (RBI-sourced, FRED INDIRLTLT01STM), mean Oct 2021–Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | MoSPI NSO HCES 2023-24 (NSS Report No. 592), urban, ₹ per person per 30 days × 2 — food minus beverages, served and packaged processed food | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Utilities | MoSPI NSO HCES 2023-24 (NSS Report No. 592), urban, ₹ per person per 30 days × 2 — fuel & light + water | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Transport | MoSPI NSO HCES 2023-24 (NSS Report No. 592), urban, ₹ per person per 30 days × 2 — conveyance | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Phone, internet and devices | MoSPI NSO HCES 2023-24 (NSS Report No. 592), urban, ₹ per person per 30 days × 2 — mobile + internet + landline | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Everything else | MoSPI NSO HCES 2023-24 (NSS Report No. 592), urban, ₹ per person per 30 days × 2 — barber, toiletries, clothing, footwear, entertainment | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Insurance premium | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | HCES 2023-24 — medical, hospitalisation | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Household help | HCES 2023-24 item 480 'domestic servant/cook', Delhi 5.6% report, ≈₹3,633; Maharashtra 7.4%, ≈₹2,780. Seed [6000, 15000]. Statutory floors (secondary): Delhi unskilled ₹18,456 (Apr–Sep 2026, no domestic-worker schedule); Karnataka Zone I housekeep | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Driver | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Cook | Karnataka minimum-wage schedule 'Residential houses including domestic helpers', 1 Apr 2026–31 Mar 2027 (WageIndicator snippet; page 404) | Secondary report | 2026-04 |
| Childcare | Karnataka minimum-wage schedule 2026-27 (WageIndicator snippet), A babysitter wage floor, not a creche fee. HCES item 481 attendant/babysitter (₹0.57/person) is effectively not measured. Seed [8000, 25000]. | Secondary report | 2026-04 |
| School fees | HCES 2023-24 item 405 tuition and other fees, Per-capita ×2 is 614 over all; top 5% ×2 2,502. Seed [10000, 40000]. | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Tuition and coaching | HCES 2023-24 private tutor/coaching, Per-capita ×2 is 92 over all; top 5% ×2 277. Seed [3000, 12000]. | Derived | 2024-07 |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Society maintenance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, All India Debt and Investment Survey, NSS 77th round — average value of assets per household | Measured | 2019 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Income Tax Department, Government of India, Section 112A — long-term capital gains on listed equity taxed at 12.5% from 23 July 2024 | Measured | 2024 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | NSE Indices, Nifty 50, official daily closes — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, from published government yields, Bond sleeve volatility, derived from government yields (2016-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, from published index and yield series, Correlation of monthly equity and bond returns (2016-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | Kotak Mahindra Bank; HDFC Bank (issuer fact sheets), Kotak League Platinum KFS; HDFC Swiggy KFS: credit-card finance charge 3.75%/month | Derived | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | Reserve Bank of India, RBI WALR on fresh rupee loans, other personal loans (Table 9) | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | Reserve Bank of India, RBI WALR on fresh rupee loans, housing (Table 9) | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | Reserve Bank of India, RBI WALR on fresh rupee loans, vehicle (Table 9) | Measured | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | RBI average on fresh term deposits, 12-month deposit rate — RBI average on fresh term deposits (Aug 2026) to SBI’s 1-year retail rate | Derived | 2026 |
Malaysia
27 of 56 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Bank Negara Malaysia; DOSM, Annual Report 2025 projection 1.5–2.5%; CPI 2010–2025 average 2.0% | Measured | 2026-03 |
| School cost inflation | Department of Statistics Malaysia, CPI pre-primary and primary, secondary, post-secondary non-tertiary and education not defined by level, weighted by the HES 2022 basket, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Department of Statistics Malaysia, CPI tertiary education, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — Malaysia, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Department of Statistics Malaysia, Salaries & Wages Survey, citizens, mean monthly, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Bank Negara Malaysia has no target; its 2026 projection midpoint and the 15-year CPI average are both about 2%; DMS, UBS Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2025, summary edition (1900–2024), p.6, world index (no Malaysian series) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, Bank Negara Malaysia, Table 2.5 market indicative yield, 10-year MGS (month-end), mean Sep 2021–Aug 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | DOSM HES 2024 — KL utilities 175.4 − urban utilities 135.3, Seed [50, 150]. | Derived | 2024 |
| Groceries and household supplies | DOSM HES 2024 Table 3.7, two-person urban household — food division | Derived | 2024 |
| Utilities | DOSM Household Expenditure Survey Report 2024, Tables 4.1/4.2, KL per household × 2/3.0 — 0441–0455 | Derived | 2024 |
| Transport | DOSM Household Expenditure Survey Report 2024, Tables 4.1/4.2, KL per household × 2/3.0 — division 07 excl. vehicle purchase | Derived | 2024 |
| Phone, internet and devices | DOSM Household Expenditure Survey Report 2024, Tables 4.1/4.2, KL per household × 2/3.0 — 0831–0835 telecom services | Derived | 2024 |
| Everything else | DOSM Household Expenditure Survey Report 2024, Tables 4.1/4.2, KL per household × 2/3.0 — clothing + personal care 1311–1313 + recreation services 0961–0962 | Derived | 2024 |
| Insurance premium | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | DOSM HES 2024 Table 3.7, two-person urban household — health division | Derived | 2024 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | DOSM Household Expenditure Survey Report 2024, Tables 4.1/4.2, KL per household × 2/3.0 — 0611 medicines | Derived | 2024 |
| Household help | Immigration Department of Malaysia: 'RM1500.00 per month', Filipino helper minimum US$500 ≈ RM2,350 (NST, secondary). Levy RM410/yr (secondary). Actual pay NOT FOUND. Seed [800, 1800]. | Derived | 2026-10 |
| Driver | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Cook | Minimum Wages Order 2024, P.U.(A) 376 (copy at amcham.com.my) | Derived | 2025-02 |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Maintenance fee | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household income survey | Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Household Income Survey Report 2024 — household income by state, urban and rural | Measured | 2024 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (Inland Revenue Board), No general capital gains tax on shares; Real Property Gains Tax applies to property | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | Hong Leong Bank 12-month FD, 12-month deposit rate — Hong Leong Bank 12-month FD (Aug 2026) to BNM’s commercial-bank average (Aug 2026) | Derived | 2026 |
Europe (Eurozone blended)
22 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | European Central Bank, Symmetric 2% inflation target | Measured | 2026 |
| School cost inflation | Eurostat, HICP early childhood and primary (CP101), secondary (CP102) and tutoring (CP10501), euro area, weighted by the 2026 item weights, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Eurostat, HICP tertiary education (CP104), euro area, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 medical trend, eight euro-area members, GDP-weighted | Derived | 2026-02 |
| Income growth | Eurostat, Compensation per employee, euro area (nama_10_lp_ulc), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, ECB symmetric 2% target; DMS, Credit Suisse Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2023, summary edition (1900–2022), Table 1, p.16; member returns weighted by Eurostat 2024 GDP | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, ECB IRS.M.U2.L.L40.CI.0000.EUR.N.Z convergence yield, mean Oct 2021–Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | Eurostat national accounts EA20 2022 (nama_10_co3_p3) ÷ 156.5m households, per month | Derived | 2022 |
| Utilities | Eurostat national accounts EA20 2022 (nama_10_co3_p3) ÷ 156.5m households, per month | Derived | 2022 |
| Transport | Eurostat national accounts EA20 2022 (nama_10_co3_p3) ÷ 156.5m households, per month — transport excl. vehicles | Derived | 2022 |
| Phone, internet and devices | Eurostat national accounts EA20 2022 (nama_10_co3_p3) ÷ 156.5m households, per month | Derived | 2022 |
| Everything else | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Insurance premium | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Eurostat national accounts EA20 2022 (nama_10_co3_p3) ÷ 156.5m households, per month — health | Derived | 2022 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Maintenance or society fee | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | European Central Bank, The Household Finance and Consumption Survey, wave 2023 (Statistics Paper 53), Table 9 — net wealth medians and means by age of reference person, euro area | Measured | 2023 |
| Tax on withdrawals | European Commission, Taxes in Europe database — capital gains treatment varies by member state | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | OECD (via FRED), OECD share-price index, euro area (SPASTT01EZM661N) — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, from published government yields, Bond sleeve volatility, derived from government yields (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, from published index and yield series, Correlation of monthly equity and bond returns (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | European Central Bank, ECB MIR M.U2.B.A2Z3.A.R.A.2250.EUR.N, extended credit-card credit | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | European Central Bank, ECB MIR A2B (APRC), consumer credit | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | European Central Bank, ECB MIR A2C.A.C (APRC), house purchase | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | European Central Bank, Representative vehicle loan annual percentage rate | Derived | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | ECB MIR, 12-month deposit rate — ECB MIR, household deposits up to 1 year, euro area, Aug 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
United Kingdom
22 of 54 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Bank of England, 2% CPI inflation target | Measured | 2026 |
| School cost inflation | Office for National Statistics, CPI pre-primary, primary and secondary education incl. private school fees (L7I4), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Office for National Statistics, CPI item 440230, university tuition for international students, 2015–2025 (chain-linked) | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — the United Kingdom, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Office for National Statistics, Average weekly earnings, total pay, whole economy (KAB9), 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Bank of England CPI target, 2%; DMS, UBS Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2025, summary edition (1900–2024), p.6 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, Bank of England IADB IUMMNPY, mean Oct 2021–Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | ONS Living Costs and Food Survey FYE2025, 'Family spending in the UK' Apr 2024–Mar 2025 (weekly × 52/12) — food & non-alcoholic drinks | Derived | 2025-03 |
| Utilities | ONS Living Costs and Food Survey FYE2025, 'Family spending in the UK' Apr 2024–Mar 2025 (weekly × 52/12) — energy + water | Derived | 2025-03 |
| Transport | ONS Living Costs and Food Survey FYE2025, 'Family spending in the UK' Apr 2024–Mar 2025 (weekly × 52/12) — running a vehicle + transport services | Derived | 2025-03 |
| Phone, internet and devices | ONS Living Costs and Food Survey FYE2025, 'Family spending in the UK' Apr 2024–Mar 2025 (weekly × 52/12) | Derived | 2025-03 |
| Everything else | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Private cover, if you carry any | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | Coram childcare survey, quoted by daynurseries.co.uk (£188.75/wk) | Secondary report | 2026 |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Council tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Service charge | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | Office for National Statistics, Household total wealth in Great Britain, April 2020 to March 2022 (Wealth and Assets Survey, Round 8), Table 2.1 | Measured | 2022 |
| Tax on withdrawals | HM Revenue & Customs, Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances — 18% basic rate, 24% higher rate | Measured | 2026 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | OECD (via FRED), OECD share-price index, United Kingdom (SPASTT01GBM661N) — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, from published government yields, Bond sleeve volatility, derived from government yields (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, from published index and yield series, Correlation of monthly equity and bond returns (Monthly, 2006-2025) | Derived | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | Bank of England, BoE CFMZ6IR, effective rate on interest-charging credit cards | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | Bank of England, BoE CFMZ6K5, new personal loans, effective | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | Bank of England, BoE CFMZ6JM, effective rate on new mortgages | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | Bank of England, Representative motor finance annual percentage rate | Derived | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | Bank of England IUMWTFA, 12-month deposit rate — Bank of England IUMWTFA, quoted 1-year fixed-rate bond, Sep 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
Thailand
26 of 56 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Bank of Thailand, Monetary policy target for 2026, 1–3% | Measured | 2026-01 |
| School cost inflation | Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Ministry of Commerce, CPI elementary, general secondary and vocational secondary fees, weighted by the 2023 basket, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Ministry of Commerce, CPI university fees, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — Thailand, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | International Labour Organization (Thai Labour Force Survey), Average monthly earnings of employees (EAR_EMTA_SEX_NB_A), 2014–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Bank of Thailand target, midpoint of 1–3%; DMS, UBS Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2025, summary edition (1900–2024), p.6, world index (no Thai series) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, Thai Bond Market Association government yield curve, 10-year, mean Oct 2021–Sep 2026 | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance premium | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Childcare | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Tuition and coaching | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Maintenance or society fee | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | NSO Thailand SES 2025, Table C.7, Greater Bangkok per household × 2/2.3 — ingredients + non-alcoholic beverages at home (4,195) | Derived | 2025 |
| Utilities | NSO Thailand SES 2025, Table C.7, Greater Bangkok per household × 2/2.3 — fuel, lighting & water (1,530) | Derived | 2025 |
| Transport | NSO Thailand SES 2025, Table C.7, Greater Bangkok per household × 2/2.3 — vehicle repair 441 + local transport 2,221 | Derived | 2025 |
| Phone, internet and devices | NSO Thailand SES 2025, Table C.7, Greater Bangkok per household × 2/2.3 — communication (1,195) | Derived | 2025 |
| Everything else | NSO Thailand SES 2025, Table C.7, Greater Bangkok per household × 2/2.3 — apparel + personal care + recreation + ceremony (1,886) | Derived | 2025 |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | NSO Thailand SES 2025, Table C.7, Greater Bangkok per household × 2/2.3 — medical & health care (359) | Derived | 2025 |
| Household help | Ministry of Labour (Ministerial Regulation No. 15, B.E. 2567); Bangkok minimum wage, Domestic workers paid not less than the minimum wage; 400 baht a day in Bangkok from July 2025 | Our assumption | 2025-07 |
| Driver | Ministry of Labour (Ministerial Regulation No. 15, B.E. 2567); Bangkok minimum wage, Domestic workers paid not less than the minimum wage; 400 baht a day in Bangkok from July 2025 | Our assumption | 2025-07 |
| Cook | Ministry of Labour (Ministerial Regulation No. 15, B.E. 2567); Bangkok minimum wage, Domestic workers paid not less than the minimum wage; 400 baht a day in Bangkok from July 2025 | Our assumption | 2025-07 |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household income survey | National Statistical Office, Thailand, Household Socio-Economic Survey 2023, Statistical Yearbook Thailand 2025, Tables 8.1–8.2 | Measured | 2023 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Revenue Department, Thailand, Guide to Personal Income Tax Return (ภ.ง.ด.90); SET tax information | Measured | 2024 |
Freedom Ladder figures
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | Siam Commercial Bank 12-month fixed deposit, 12-month deposit rate — Siam Commercial Bank 12-month fixed deposit, from 1 Oct 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
United Arab Emirates
36 of 56 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook (October 2026) — UAE, 2031 projection | Measured | 2026-10 |
| School cost inflation | KHDA (Dubai), reported by WAM and the Dubai Media Office, Education Cost Index: 2.6% for 2024-25, 2.35% for 2025-26; fees frozen for 2026-27 | Derived | 2026-05 |
| University cost inflation | KHDA (Dubai), reported by WAM and the Dubai Media Office, Education Cost Index: 2.6% for 2024-25, 2.35% for 2025-26; fees frozen for 2026-27 | Derived | 2026-05 |
| Medical cost inflation | Aon, 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates report — the UAE, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Korn Ferry and Cooper Fitch employer surveys, UAE salary budgets: 3.4% for 2026 (Korn Ferry); 2.6% paid in 2025 (Cooper Fitch) | Our assumption | 2026-08 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2026) medium-term CPI projection; CBUAE has no target; DMS, UBS Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2025, summary edition (1900–2024), p.6, world index (no UAE series exists) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, US 10-year Treasury (H.15 GS10) mean Oct 2021–Sep 2026; the dirham is pegged to the dollar and no AED 10-year exists | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra utilities at home all day | Real Estate Club Dubai, checked against the DEWA slab tariff, Utilities & monthly bills in Dubai | Secondary report | 2026-03 |
| Groceries and household supplies | Dubai Statistics Center; Real Estate Club Dubai, Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2019, food per person; couple groceries 2026 | Derived | 2026-02 |
| Utilities | DEWA, Residential slab tariff | Derived | 2026-05 |
| Transport | RTA; UAE Fuel Price Committee (via press), nol fares; October 2026 fuel prices | Derived | 2026-10 |
| Phone, internet and devices | du and e&, Home internet and postpaid tariffs | Derived | 2026-10 |
| Everything else | Dubai Statistics Center, Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2019 | Derived | 2019 |
| Insurance premium | Dubai Health Authority; LookInsure, Essential Benefits Plan index rate AED 550–750 per member; private plan prices | Derived | 2025-12 |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | Dubai Health Authority, Essential Benefits Plan co-pays | Derived | 2025-01 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Dubai Health Authority, Essential Benefits Plan: 30% drug co-pay to AED 2,500 a year | Derived | 2025-01 |
| Household help | Wathim; GCC Domestic, Hiring a maid in Dubai: cost by nationality; Tadbeer fees | Secondary report | 2026-06 |
| Driver | Job adverts, 2025–26, Family driver salaries in Dubai | Secondary report | 2026 |
| Cook | Job adverts, 2025–26, Housekeeper-cook and private chef salaries in Dubai | Secondary report | 2026 |
| Childcare | UAE nursery fee guides; Numbeo, Full-time nursery fees in Dubai | Secondary report | 2026-10 |
| School fees | KHDA-approved fees, reported by Gulf News and Khaleej Times, Dubai private school fees 2026-27 | Measured | 2026-07 |
| Tuition and coaching | Tutoring agencies, Private tutoring rates in Dubai | Secondary report | 2026 |
| Higher education reserve | American University of Sharjah; University of Birmingham Dubai; UAE University, Published tuition, 2026-27 | Derived | 2026 |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Dubai Municipality (via property guides), Housing fee: 5% of annual rental value | Derived | 2026 |
| Maintenance or society fee | Property guides, Dubai service charges | Secondary report | 2026 |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | Insurance brokers, Home contents and building cover in Dubai | Secondary report | 2026 |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household wealth survey | UBS, Global Wealth Databook 2023, Table 3-1 (p.126): United Arab Emirates, wealth per adult, end-2022 | Measured | 2022 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Federal Tax Authority (UAE); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries, No personal income tax or capital gains tax on individuals (PwC, reviewed 9 September 2026) | Measured | 2026 |
Freedom Ladder figures
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | First Abu Dhabi Bank 12-month AED fixed deposit, 12-month deposit rate — First Abu Dhabi Bank 12-month AED fixed deposit, 16 Oct 2026 | Measured | 2026 |
Philippines
28 of 56 figures traced to a named publisher.
Rates a plan starts from
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday inflation | Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Inflation target 3% ±1, through 2028 | Measured | 2026-01 |
| School cost inflation | Philippine Statistics Authority, CPI early childhood, primary and secondary education, weighted by the 2018 basket, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| University cost inflation | Philippine Statistics Authority, CPI tertiary education, 2015–2025 | Derived | 2025 |
| Medical cost inflation | WTW, 2026 Global Medical Trends Survey — the Philippines, gross | Measured | 2025-10 |
| Income growth | Philippine Statistics Authority, Labor Force Survey, average daily basic pay (0161B3FADB2), Jul 2016–Jul 2026 | Derived | 2026-07 |
| Return while you are working | Nivritee returns rule, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas target, 3% ±1 to 2028; DMS, UBS Global Investment Returns Yearbook 2025, summary edition (1900–2024), p.6, world index (no Philippine series) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
| Return after financial independence | Nivritee returns rule, Investing.com Philippines 10-year bond yield, daily closes, mean Oct 2021–Sep 2026 (secondary: the BVAL history is not public) | Our assumption | 2026-10 |
Typical spending
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and coaching | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Higher education reserve | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Maintenance or society fee | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Home insurance | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Extra-curricular fees | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Training and exams | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Learning subscriptions | No published figure for this line in this country yet, so nothing is compared. | Documented | — |
| Extra utilities at home all day | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Groceries and household supplies | PSA FIES 2023, NCR two-person families ₱26,302/mo (Table 10) × NCR all-family shares (Table 7), brought to Sep 2026 prices (×1.1153) — food consumed at home 27.8% | Derived | 2026-09 |
| Utilities | PSA FIES 2023, NCR two-person families ₱26,302/mo (Table 10) × NCR all-family shares (Table 7), brought to Sep 2026 prices (×1.1153) — CPI 2018 NCR weights electricity, gas, fuels + water = 8.92% | Derived | 2026-09 |
| Transport | PSA FIES 2023, NCR two-person families ₱26,302/mo (Table 10) × NCR all-family shares (Table 7), brought to Sep 2026 prices (×1.1153) — transport 6.3% | Derived | 2026-09 |
| Phone, internet and devices | PSA FIES 2023, NCR two-person families ₱26,302/mo (Table 10) × NCR all-family shares (Table 7), brought to Sep 2026 prices (×1.1153) — information & communication 3.8% | Derived | 2026-09 |
| Everything else | PSA FIES 2023, NCR two-person families ₱26,302/mo (Table 10) × NCR all-family shares (Table 7), brought to Sep 2026 prices (×1.1153) — personal care + clothing + recreation + special occasions 6.9% | Derived | 2026-09 |
| Insurance premium | PSA FIES 2023, NCR two-person families ₱26,302/mo (Table 10) × NCR all-family shares (Table 7), brought to Sep 2026 prices (×1.1153) — insurance and financial services 3.1% | Derived | 2026-09 |
| Out-of-pocket buffer | PSA FIES 2023, NCR two-person families ₱26,302/mo (Table 10) × NCR all-family shares (Table 7), brought to Sep 2026 prices (×1.1153) — health 2.8% | Derived | 2026-09 |
| healthcare.recurring_treatment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Household help | NWPC Wage Order NCR-DW-06, effective 7 Feb 2026 | Derived | 2026-02 |
| Driver | Wage Order NCR-28 ₱755/day (₱718 small employers), effective 26 Sep 2026, × 26 days (assumed) | Derived | 2026-09 |
| Cook | NWPC Wage Order NCR-DW-06; RA 10361 s.4(d) names cook, Cook takes the kasambahay minimum; ≈₱9,666 with on-costs (derived). | Derived | 2026-02 |
| Childcare | NWPC Wage Order NCR-DW-06; RA 10361 s.4(d) names nursemaid/yaya, A nanny wage floor, not a daycare fee; ≈₱9,666 with on-costs (derived). | Derived | 2026-02 |
| School fees | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Personal care and clothing | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Learning and self-development | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Monthly subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Pets | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other insurance | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Regular medication | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Routine consultations | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Health check-ups and screening | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dependants’ health costs | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Other household staff | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Property tax | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Repairs reserve | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Dining and entertainment | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Subscriptions | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Hobbies and interests | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Gifts and giving | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Ordinary travel | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
| Major trips | Derived from a metro-household cost anchor, not a published survey. Reviewed 2026-08-05. | Documented | — |
Comparisons with other households
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household income survey | Philippine Statistics Authority, 2023 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, OpenSTAT Tables 1, 5, 12 | Measured | 2023 |
| Tax on withdrawals | Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippines, RR No. 21-2025 digest (CMEPA, RA 12214), individuals, effective 1 July 2025 | Measured | 2025 |
Freedom Ladder figures
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much shares swing in a year | Philippine Stock Exchange (via CNBC), PSEi, daily closes — annualised standard deviation of returns | Derived | 2025 |
| How much bonds swing in a year | Nivritee, Assumed annualised standard deviation for a short-to-medium duration bond sleeve | Our assumption | 2026 |
| How shares and bonds move together | Nivritee, Assumed equity-to-debt return correlation | Our assumption | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: unsecured | Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Circular 1165 — credit card ceiling of 3% a month | Measured | 2023 |
| Typical borrowing rate: other | Social Security System, SSS salary loan rate, from July 2025 | Measured | 2025 |
| Typical borrowing rate: home | BDO (via Gulf News, 1 September 2026), Bank home loan, 3-year fixed | Measured | 2026 |
| Typical borrowing rate: car | BDO (via expressway.ph), Auto loan, 7.5% (12 months) to 10.5% (60 months) on the declining balance | Derived | 2026 |
Deposits
| Figure | What it rests on | Kind | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical deposit rate | BPI 365-day Peso Auto Renew time deposit, 12-month deposit rate — BPI 365-day Peso Auto Renew time deposit, ₱50k–499k (read 17 Oct 2026) to Metrobank’s online time deposit, 30–364 days (from 13 Apr 2026) | Derived | 2026 |