WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) - So, how will the fiscal cliff deal affect most of us?

First, the good news: your tax rates are NOT going up. But now, the bad news: your paychecks will be smaller, starting with the next one.

The payroll tax holiday is over now, so the rate is going up from 4-point-2 percent to 6-point-2 percent. And that increase will affect virtually everyone who has a job.

Just weeks ago, we asked self-described middle-class taxpayers what more they could sacrifice. They told us things like, "I guess I won't be getting my nails done, and hair done," and "Everything that's in my life is a necessity," and "I don't have any more to give 'em!"

But now, wage-earners will take home even less.

"Now they're going to start paying that payroll tax, which means they're going to have reduced income, they're going to have less money to buy products and services, whether it be a mortgage or groceries," said Thomas Seneca of TM Wealth Management.

In fact, if you earn $30,000 a year, you'll pay about $50 more in taxes every month. If you're making $50,000 a year, you'll pay about $83 more a month. And if you bring in $113,700 dollars a year, you'll contribute an extra $189.50 a month in taxes.

Keep in mind the payroll tax funds Social Security, and the lower rate was costing the government $120-billion in tax revenue a year.

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