According to a TNS Omnibus survey by NetCredit, 1 in 2 Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. We decided to take a historical review of the cost of living in the past versus today, and the results were eye-opening. Check out our exclusive infographic, as we chart how the minimum wage, federal income tax collection, the way we pay our bills and how we spend our paycheck have changed over the years. We also review some interesting facts about consumer and personal finance today, as well as provide seven helpful tips for stretching paychecks.