Paycheck to paycheck means you have almost no liquid money left until your next pay. insurance and taxes don't count (they'reexpenses just like rent, and you can't live if don't pay your rent right?!).

Since i started in my current job, gas has gone from $1 to $2.5+. And every commodity has followed that trend. My pay? Virtually the same

I suppose those with multi 100Ks feel the same. Its not the same money you had last year.... and the year before