We all know the drill: You’re in the dressing room at your favorite boutique or staring at the screen of your go-to online shop, trying to decide if that new dress or pair of shoes is actually a good idea. You start doing the math in your head about whether or not it’s a financially reasonable (or at the very least not totally insane) idea.

Of course, the simplest version of that math is dividing the price on the label by how many times you think you’ll wear the item—typically called the cost-per-wear equation. But we’ve also been known to fudge those numbers in our favor from time to time, especially when we’re thisclose to an impulse buy we know probably doesn’t make sense. That’s why, for our all-new Money Issue, we’ve created a handy Cost-Per-Wear Calculator that’ll give you a more accurate number in seconds, after asking a few simple questions that provide a more comprehensive picture of your real-world costs. Think of it as the 2018 version of those women’s magazines quizzes of yore, but easily accessible from your laptop or phone in a quick click.

Not only did we want this calculator to be easy to use, we wanted it to reflect your actual lifestyle. For example, that means honest answers about how long and often you plan on wearing the item—because, frankly, not every piece is meant to last forever and we should all admit that. We’ve also taken into account typical dry cleaning and shoe repair costs like reheeling and suede protection where applicable. Our algorithm even takes into account how many seasons during the year you’ll realistically use your new item.

So think of this calculator as your very logical friend, who never judges but always gives you real talk. Then go forth and enjoy your new stuff—or the extra cash in your account.

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