My salary rises yearly but I'm poorer — why?
The Direct Answer: Because the real measure isn't your salary figure but its purchasing power. A typical Egyptian example: 5,000 EGP in 2015 was worth ~$640, while 15,000 EGP today — nominally three times higher! — is worth only ~$300. Annual raises (10–20%) simply lag currency devaluation + inflation combined, so you feel progress while your actual standard of living declines.
💡 Two-part practical fix: (1) Measure your salary in $ and against your actual basket of goods every 6 months to see the truth, (2) Build income streams or assets priced in hard currency or commodity-linked (export skills, gold, rental property).
🧮 Calculate your salary in $ across your work years — the result may shock you
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Source: Modakharaty (modakharaty.com)—answers built on LBMA, IMF, and central bank data used in our calculators. Not personal investment advice.