I appreciate greatly that the cost of living is out of control and that it's getting harder and harder to make ends meet. But when you ask for a raise, your employer does not care. Not one little bit. That's pretty sad, but that's the truth of it. So when you ask for a raise, don't even mention that stuff. Make it all about the company. I know… gag. But that's the crap they want to hear.
Request a raise based on the value you bring to the company. Quantify it in any way possible: sales growth, reduction in complaints, meeting other measures they have set, etc. Any way you can show them how your work has helped the company.
I know it sucks but that's the game.