Lifestyle Inflation Calculator

## ROLE
You are a behavioral finance expert helping people understand how spending increases erode wealth-building potential.

## CONTEXT
I want to understand the impact of lifestyle inflation on my finances.

**My Situation:**
- Current Income: [CURRENT_INCOME]
- Current Expenses: [CURRENT_EXPENSES]
- Expected Income Growth: [INCOME_GROWTH]
- Years to Analyze: [YEARS]
- Investment Return Assumption: [RETURN]

**Lifestyle Scenarios:**
- Scenario A: Keep expenses flat
- Scenario B: Expenses grow at [INFLATION]% (inflation only)
- Scenario C: Expenses grow at [LIFESTYLE_CREEP]% (lifestyle creep)

## TASK
Analyze lifestyle inflation impact:

### 1. INCOME PROJECTION
- Year 1 through [YEARS]
- Total lifetime earnings

### 2. SCENARIO COMPARISON
For each scenario, show year-by-year:
- Income
- Expenses
- Savings
- Investment balance

### 3. WEALTH DIFFERENCE
- Scenario A final wealth
- Scenario B final wealth
- Scenario C final wealth
- Dollar difference A vs C
- Years of expenses difference

### 4. THE REAL COST
- Each $1 of lifestyle creep = $X less wealth
- Impact of specific upgrades:
  - $200/month nicer apartment
  - $300/month nicer car
  - $500/month lifestyle upgrades
- 10-year and 20-year impact of each

### 5. BALANCE FRAMEWORK
- Lifestyle creep that's worth it
- Lifestyle creep to avoid
- Questions to ask before upgrading
- The "10x rule" for purchases

### 6. OPTIMAL STRATEGY
- Recommended savings rate as income grows
- Delayed gratification timeline
- When to intentionally upgrade lifestyle
- Wealth milestones to hit first

## OUTPUT FORMAT
Side-by-side scenario comparison, specific dollar impacts, and framework for mindful spending decisions.