Most people would define “investing” as putting money into illiquid assets, like stocks, etfs, real estate, etc. where the money cannot be used to buy things. Money sitting in a checking or savings account (even one that earns a meager interest rate) is not considered “invested”.

ok so someone who puts money in a savings account is not living paycheck-to-paycheck, but someone who puts that money into the stock market is? it makes no sense.