Static wages and surging tax, food and energy bills are causing a cost of living crisis across the country.
Gas and electricity bills are expected to rise by more than 50% from April when Ofgem, the energy regulator, lifts its price cap to account for rising market costs.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Fiscal Studies has claimed benefits need to be twice as much as planned in 2022 in order to support the poorest in society through the crisis.
But it is not just the poor that are pinched between the amount of money that is coming in and the amount that has to go out.
For first -time buyers, with house prices rocketing, buying a place of their own is becoming a distant dream, while rising rents gobble up wages, with little left over.
Reporter Louisa Gregson asked retirees, young professionals, families and single parents in Manchester just how they are coping with the mounting cost-of-living crisis.
Kat Myers, 25, works in marketing and e commerce and lives in a ground floor flat in Murray's Mills in uber-trendy New Islington with her partner.
The pair bought their ground floor apartment 18 months ago and the converted red brick old mill overlooks the picturesque marina in the area ranked one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world.
Accolades like that come at a price and Kat says she is relieved they aren't trying to buy in the area now, as property prices continue to soar.
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But while she and her partner may be relieved to have a mortgage already in place, she says a hike in the cost of bills, and the expense of living in the area, dominate group Whatsapp chats in the building.
"People are saying that London prices were not as bad as this.
"Everyone is suffering," Kat says.
Kat says she and her partner would not have been able to buy their flat if they had not bought it 18 months ago.
"Since then, prices have risen by £40K," she says.
Matty Dickens, 22, a videographer from Burnage works in the area.
He says he would like to live in the city centre and not have to commute to his job from South Manchester 'but it is just too expensive.'
Cutting back, for him, means a reduced social life.
"I have to go out less, I know that's not a major problem," he laughs, "But I have noticed the increase."
His friend, Sam Rostron, 27, from Bury is in the process of buying a house in Whitefield with his partner.
Despite buying in the suburbs, he tells of mass viewings and struggling to get an offer accepted.
Sam says it took six months to find somewhere as demand for properties was huge, and they were constantly being outbid.
Now they are moving, he says the cost of living is a concern.
"We are following Martin Lewis," he says, "We read his tips every day."
Young professionals Lauren Meirkle, 25, and her partner Will Paget, 26, both rent in Smiths Yard in New Islington and say surging property prices hold them back from owning their own place in the area they want.
"If we could buy here, we would in a heartbeat" Lauren says, "But a friend of ours just bought a two bedroom flat and it cost £400,000.
"Even if we could afford it, that is a lot of money for a flat - paying that much seems crazy."
Will says their rent is fixed, 'which is a relief' but that 'their council tax is a killer.'
The pair say that similar to Kat's experiences, a Facebook group in their building has revealed many people share the same concerns.
"This is where we want to be," says Will, "But it is so expensive."
A six minute drive away in Miles Platting, and getting on the housing ladder, or meeting extortionate rent might not a concern for the many who live in council owned properties - but food and energy bills most certainly are.
Mum-of-three Beatrice Vangu, 44, works as a care worker for Manchester Royal Infirmary and lives with her partner in a council owned property.
When I ask her if she is feeling the pinch, the answer is a resounding "yes."
Food, petrol, household bills...Beatrice says she is struggling with them all.
"My council tax was £85 a month," she says, "Now it is £120."
"I shop in Aldi but I find Lidl too expensive now and don't even talk to me about Asda" she says, with an infectious laugh.
"I used to top up my petrol with £20 a week but now, after two days it's finished - and my car insurance has also increased.
"I have two children at university and for my child at school it is £35 a month for the bus ticket and £15 a week for school meals.
"Everything just adds up so expensive and what I get paid is not covering the basics. "
One 80-year-old resident of Nelson Court is waiting for a taxi.
"I use them on a Tuesday as they are free," he tells us.
Giving his name only as Michael and saying "he's closer to 80 than 70," he says: "When you really get into trouble is in April.
"But there's no point worrying about it - it's going to happen.
"I haven't felt it yet - let's see then."
Also ambivalent is single mum-of-two Megan Shaw, 24, who lives in Collyhurst and says she pays no interest in the rising costs as long as she can afford nappies, clothes and whatever her children need.
"I don't pay any interest to it and I don't worry, " she says.
"I don't buy stuff that we don't need and I haven't noticed any difference in my benefits,
"I'm still able to get what they need, I just buy the essentials - and they have loads of toys."
But retired Ian Platt, 73, who lives in Miles Platting, says as far as he is concerned, everyone is worrying.
"I'm waiting to see how much my gas and electricity is going up," he says, "I just gave a meter reading on Sunday, and when I find out...well, that's when it will cane you.
"Food shopping is more expensive too - you seem to get less and less for your money.
"I'm really feeling the pinch.
"It's every time you put the telly on....everything is increasing.
"If people get a pay rise but then everything is going up, well, it's not even a rise."
Ian says he has empathy with bus drivers going on strike, "You can't blame them," and says he know of taxi drivers having to work longer hours to keep up with the soaring costs, adding: "And the clean air zone will only make it worse."
"But then you watch the news," he says with a shrug, "and Boris Johnson is having parties."
"It's disgusting really what's happening."
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