What does the fiercest financial squeeze in generations mean for our personal budgets? And what can we do to protect our family finances? In the second of this three-part series, Sophie Raworth and Justin Rowlatt tackle spending and borrowing in these tough economic times. From around the country, the Money Watch team report on prospects for mortgages, the outlook for prices of essentials, hidden catches in credit cards, coping with debt and how far you can get by with no money at all.

• Sophie Raworth