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Money · Value engine
Is This Worth the Price? Justification Engine
Calculate the cost per use across the life of a purchase and get a worth-it score based on joy, use frequency, and whether you would buy it again.
Instant result
Plain-English why
Copyable takeaway
What this means
No waffle. Just the number and how it was worked out.
Formula used
Cost per use = price ÷ (uses per month × months lasts). Worth-it score = joy × 5 + use score + buy-again bonus + category factor
Worked example
A £120 tool used 4 times per month for 24 months costs £1.25 per use. With a joy factor of 7 and would-buy-again, the worth-it score is high.
Common questions
How do I estimate how long it will last?
Use your best honest guess. A realistic estimate of 12 months is more useful than an optimistic guess of 60 if you know you tend to move on from things quickly.
Why does the category affect the score?
Experiences and food have a higher joy ceiling relative to cost because they are consumed in the moment. Tech and clothing have more variation in whether the price holds up over time.
Plain-English summary
The result summary for this calculator will live here.
This section translates the result into a short, direct takeaway rather than leaving the page at a bare number.
Read the guide
How to judge whether a purchase is actually worth the price
A practical way to test purchase decisions using cost per use, honest joy factors, and whether you would choose it again cold.
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