The 'squeeze' families

Meet our panel of families charting how the squeeze on household incomes is affecting them.

They gave us their first instalment in July and we have been checking back with them every month to see what they are doing to make the most of their money, and if they are making any changes to their spending habits.

As the months have gone by, they have experimented with new ways to save some money and we have seen how their financial situation changes as they move home, change jobs, have babies and how the interest rate cuts have had an impact on their mortgages, savings and pensions.

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Our business takings for April were atrocious, the worst month for well over a year.

Colin McCormick

| near Plymouth, Devon | Married with one child

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The greenhouse is doing well, so much so that we are considering buying a large chest freezer.

Karen Norris

| Peterhead, Scotland | Stay at home mum

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I feel like I have been verbally patted on the head given a small biscuit and told to behave.

Mary Ann Day | Leeds | Divorced pensioner

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It is now more than likely we cannot have a holiday this year at all. How depressing!

Barrie Lester

|Bournemouth, Dorset | Lives with his girlfriend

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The month ahead will be a fresh start for us both. I begin my new job and Holly will be back to work, albeit part-time.

Stuart Kidman

| Oxfordshire| Proud new father

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I was amazed at just how much went on the car. It very quickly adds up to a substantial percentage of the budget.

Andrew Smyth

| Belfast N. Ireland | Lives with partner

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