Cost of Living: How much is it hurting you?

INTERACTIVE: Is the cost of living hurting?  Or is it your lifestyle that's bringing the pain?  Make yourself heard.

Cost of Living - HELP

WE keep hearing people say something should be done about rising prices and soaring bills - but is the cost of living hurting you or is it your lifestyle that's bringing the pain?

The average Australian household spends $200 a week on food and almost the same amount on transport, including more than $35 a week on petrol.   And there's the nearly $25 a week on electricity bills.

But we also spend more than $30 a week on alcohol, twice that on fast food and restaurants, nearly $25 a week on looking good - and $20 just paying off interest from all that stuff we couldn't afford last month.

Our Cost of Living survey will take the pulse of the nation on how hard we're being hit, where those hits are coming from and what we can do about it.  We want to find answers for those battling to stay afloat and learn solutions from those who are finding a way to prosper.  And hopefully we'll shatter some myths along the way.

But first we need to hear from you.  Take the Cost of Living survey and be part of the solution.