People in Southampton have spoken out about the impact of the cost of living crisis on their finances.

Millions of households are facing hardship across the country, as the price of gas and electricity bills, food and petrol continue to go up.

Organisations people turn to for help, such as foodbanks, are also struggling as donations dry up.

Today, the Daily Echo has launched a new campaign, Your Money Matters, to raise awareness of the crisis in the city and offer practical help through money-saving deals, competitions and giveaways.

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'It's more like surviving'

Southampton resident, and mum-of-two Molly White, 31, says the rising cost of petrol is "probably the worst thing".

"It’s quite a big difference," she said. "I don’t use the car that much at the moment. I try to walk if I can."

Rachel Elak, 44, said she has noticed a stark rise in prices during her weekly shopping.

"I’ve noticed the prices have increased very much," she said.

"Kids stuff, clothes, petrol... Everything is very expensive for us here. I’m working hard to buy stuff."

And Vanesa Porchina said at the moment it feels more like surviving rather than living.

The 45-year-old said: "It’s not easy. [It's] more like surviving here.

"My life is now just work and back home. I don’t have money to travel or go to the restaurants.

"You need to pay taxes, you need to pay for food, which is expensive, and everything is increasing now."

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'I struggle to manage my time'

Students are also being affected by the crisis.

David Drahota, a 20-year-old student at The University of Southampton, has had to start working full-time to cope with higher costs.

He said: “I study and I’m also a part-time barista, but recently I had to ask my boss for more hours to cover my bills, so I’m basically doing full time now which is not ideal, and I struggle to manage my time sometimes.”

Ryan Eyers, 21, said he cancelled a few subscriptions to streaming services while Sarah Freer, 26, said the rise in prices is making her think twice before buying items such as clothes, make-up and food.

"Food prices have gone up, I think that make-up has also gone up, clothes...

"It’s definitely affecting my life, because there are certain things that I would have bought more often but not now.

"I’m thinking, okay, I won’t buy this much food because it’s coming up to this much. Or I’m trying to find other places to buy these things, because hopefully somewhere else will be cheaper.

"It’s usually these little things that you don’t really notice until you’re actually looking at your receipts."

Some faring better than others

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the cost of living crisis is having a bigger impact on people on lower incomes, meaning not everyone is affected in the same way.

Lois Glenister said the current situation is more of an inconvenience for them but appreciates other people are facing bigger challenges.

The 23-year-old said: "I think for me it’s just an inconvenience. Okay, I’ll pay more now. But there are people that can’t and people who are affected a lot, and it will even be a difference for their light bulb to be on or their heating.

"It’s an inconvenience for me, but I think for others, it’s a complete change of life. And I’m very grateful to say that it is just an inconvenience for me."

Pensioner John Might, 80, doesn’t feel very affected either.

"I’m retired, so I have my money, and all those things that have gone up, I expected that, because times are what they are at the moment," he said.

David Severe, 76, said: "I worked for 44 years, so I’ve got a reasonable pension, but it will be hurt hard sooner or later."

£50 in a day 

It's not just people who are feeling the pinch. Business too are facing tough times as customers decide to spend less and save more.

Martin Hutton, Assistant General Manager at Revolucion de Cuba, said: "Yesterday (Tuesday) we made £50. The entire day. That’s not even to turn the lights on. It doesn’t even pay for me.

"It might have been better to close on that day, which is scary to think, but as a company we’re doing a lot of things. The only problem is that these things don’t change overnight.

He added: "The easiest response is just to pay people more money, but then the business doesn’t come out as profitable, so if you do that for a long time, there is no business.

"It’s finding the right balance between making sure people are okay, paying them a fair wage, and the business being profitable."

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