For Wang Wenting, her hair rather than food is the major factor in her rocketing expenditure. She is considering cutting her hair short, as she can no longer afford to get it done at the salon as often as she used to do.

"I have my hair done at least four times a month, setting different styles every time before I attend a party. I may not be able to afford this any longer," she said.

Average monthly expenses for hair styling have rocketed from 300 yuan in 2010 to 500 yuan this year.

"It's not fun when you have to pay so much to have fun," she said.

Zhang Yingcheng, a 48-year-old businessman, is sensitive about fuel surcharges.

"Last week I bought a ticket that has a face value of 200 yuan, but the fuel surcharge was 160 yuan," he said.

A frequent flier, Zhang estimates that since May he has had to pay at least 400 yuan a month for the fuel oil surcharge.

One yuan is a big deal for 21-year-old Yan Hao, a college student in Shanghai's Songjiang, district

When the price of yogurt rose from four to five yuan in April, he had to cross it off his shopping list.

His weekly food budget is 100 yuan, and almost everything on his menu now costs one yuan more than in April.

A bowl of rice rose from one yuan to two yuan, and fried chicken wings rose from 10 yuan to 11.

"I used to drink a bottle of yogurt every day when it cost four yuan. Now, I drink it two days in a week; the price of yogurt rose to five yuan," he said.

Even teenagers realize their pocket money is devalued.

"With my 50 yuan weekly pocket money, I could buy drinks and snacks every day on my way home after school, but I take my own bottle now. Drinks are too expensive," said 15-year-old Wang Rongjie.