Are most Americans barely holding their head above water when it comes to personal finances?That’s what various US politicians and news outlets keep suggesting. They can’t stop using a statistic about people living “paycheck to paycheck”. But what does this really mean?

We go behind the headlines to unpick the numbers.Contributor: Ben Krauss, journalist Presenter: Charlotte McDonaldProducer: Vicky Baker and Lizzy McNeillSeries Producer: Tom CollsProduction co-ordinator: Katie MorrisonSound Engineer: Andrew MillsEditor: Richard Vadon