No one loses pay during the shutdown. Some just have their checks delayed but they are still paid in full.
You wouldn't know it from media reports. I saw one sob story Christmas Eve -- a woman crying because she couldn't buy Christmas presents for her kids. Hello? Don't people put money aside weeks or months in advance for such expenditures?
Back in the day, my mother used to contribute to a Christmas Club at the bank. I think it started in October; she would put in a set amount every week; then close to Christmas, she would take out that money and spend it on gifts. I think those accounts had a modest interest rate -- like 1% or something.
I don't know if Christmas Club accounts exist anymore, but still -- if a person knows the holidays are coming or there is some other expenditure looming -- why not put money aside for it?
Sorry, but I have no sympathy for people too stupid to plan ahead and save.