Photo by  rawpixel.com  from  Pexels T here has been a lot of news coverage about the negative effects the government shutdown is having on workers and others who depend on receiving federal dollars. I've seen reports about government workers, contractors and others who, if the shutdown drags on much longer, won't be able to make their rent or mortgage payments, pay medical bills and utilities or even afford food. This has me thinking. How did we get to the point where so many people are living from paycheck to paycheck? Whatever happened to saving accounts and other investments that people can depend on during financial emergencies?  This is not to say that the federal shutdown is fair or a good thing or that people who don't have substantial savings deserve whatever they get. But there are many unexpected events that happen in life that can stress us financially. It could be a job loss, illness, unanticipated major repair of your home or car, among other thing