[samsonradu]

I didn't paint it as a disaster scenario. Having no emergency funds doesn't mean one will starve.

Just to give some examples of a recession being worse that one expects:

  - I might need to sell my 4-bedroom house and move into a smaller house because I can't afford mortgage;

  - I might need to skip vacations this year because I got a pay cut;

  - I have to sell my car and use public transport because I need money and gas is too expensive anyway;

IMO these are situations people are not generally anticipating or prepared for.