Life Decision ROI Calculator
Should you move countries, switch careers, or make that leap? Score the financial AND emotional return on any big life decision.
How the score works
We blend a financial score (annual disposable income change vs. transition cost) with an emotional score (weighted average of your sliders). Final 0–100 scale:
- 80–100: Strong yes — financial & emotional gains align.
- 60–79: Promising — worth a deeper look.
- 40–59: Mixed — you'll trade something meaningful.
- 0–39: Likely a bad fit right now.
Thinking aid only — not financial or life advice. Talk to people you trust before any major decision.
How to Score a Big Life Decision
Most life-decision frameworks fail because they only count money. Real decisions — moving, switching careers, going freelance — are multi-dimensional. A move that pays 30% more but costs you 9 hours of family time per week is rarely a win.
This calculator borrows from cost-benefit analysis and positive psychology research to give equal weight to both sides. The output isn't an answer — it's a clarifier.
Disposable Income
The headline salary is rarely the right number. We compute disposable income (salary minus annual cost of living) — the cash that actually improves your life.
Emotional Weighting
Lifestyle, family, and growth get 55% weight; finance gets 45%. Research consistently shows non-financial factors drive long-term life satisfaction.
Payback Period
If transition cost takes over 5 years to pay back, the financial score gets a penalty. Under 2 years is treated as a strong positive signal.
Use It Twice
Run it with your most optimistic numbers, then with pessimistic ones. If both scores land above 60, it's probably the right call.