Any other families planning for a furlough?

[bdcp]

I just retired at the end of January and I know my pension will be about 80% of what I should be getting for the first few months until they get it all figured out. I haven't gotten any SS or pension check at this time because I am newly retired. I'm hoping those aren't delayed by other agencies. It's just in transition at this point. They are still processing my retirement.

That's pretty normal when someone first retires. They can't do final calculations until someone is actually retired. The furloughs will be one day per week for up to 22 weeks (I say up to because I think a deal will be reached before the 22 weeks is up, at least I hope).

I know people who were told not to go home and tell their families, just to say they needed to "tighten up". Really? Everyone ignored that advice.

A lot more than just employees will be affected. DH is waiting for his VA disability decision. We aren't planning on him getting anything, but he could. The real thing for us is our VA home mortgage refi that was done during that timeframe is now subject to reimbursement of the VA fee (3%) which is what we want back(go against principle, not into our pockets). Point is, his decision is scheduled for March, so we'll see if it doesn't get pushed out due to the furloughs. VA is funded separately so shouldn't be affected in terms of disability and services, but you never know. It's only been 26 months since he put in his paperwork.

I know some people will be surprised when it happens because so many dont' know what the real possibilities are.

 

[worm761]

DoD will probably do 1 day a week and the insurance will still be paid every two weeks. OPM has guidance on their website about the furlough. What will happen is once we hit 80 hours without pay, there will be no leave earned that pay period.

I am in the same boat as you. We are essentially a one income house and I am DoD, too. My budget is already tight since DH lost his job and we have a baby due this summer.



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I really hope that they decide on the one day a week. If they do then at that point the only thing we have to do is cancel this summer's vacation and use that money to supplement what will be missing from the paychecks.

 

[HerRoyalHighness]

From what my husband heard it was going to be 22 days at a time until they get something passed.

Which 20 days equals Four (4) 5-day work weeks.
plus the other work days two days....so it's essentially a month at a time.


He's with the Corps of Engineers.

I have a couple of nurse friends who work as contractors for the VA and it could affect them. They don't work inside a facility though.

 

[bettymae1121]

My employer gets a lot of federal grants (we're a non-profit) and we've been warned that they could be cut up to 40% if the sequester (or something similar) goes through. I've already taken my usual end-of-year bonus out of the budget as there is a good chance we won't get it (we've gotten a bonus every year I've worked since I started 14 years ago). But unless things get really hairy we shouldn't have to worry about a furlough like we had in '09.

 

[queenbetsey]

I work for the local school district. We did have some of our fd restored so on those days while the students are out we had a choice to go into the district office and clean out closets, move furniture and clean the carpets or take a personal paid day if we could provide a "valid, verified excuse" They had restored the days less than a week before the first one came up so lots of folks had to change their plans. Glad we got the daysback but most of us mae appointments for non student days. I had to get a note from my knee DR. to prove that I was not just playing that day. Now they are talking about putting the furlough days back on for the end of this year so who knows. The district did however purcase 10 brand new crossovers for the district folks to ride around our small town in

 

[dcfromva]

I am not looking forward to the possible impacts on our budget that this process might bring.
DH works for a company that has govt contracts so I think DH will probably be impacted, though I'm not aware of any planned furlough (or layoff), yet.
It's always something, isn't it? I'm trying not to let it get me down as we have a pretty robust emergency fund. I think we will have plenty to pay basic expenses.
I am going to fund 2012 IRA account contributions because we are coming up on the deadline, but I am going to hold off on 2013 IRA contributions until things settle down.
That is the extent of my planning so far...

 

[ilovemk76]

We always plan for a layoff. We live below are means so we can live at the same level during unemployment.

If this goes on for a long time, most of the US will feel it.

 

[psimon]

We always plan for a layoff. We live below are means so we can live at the same level during unemployment.

If this goes on for a long time, most of the US will feel it.

I don't think it will take a long time (depending on what your definition of a long time is ).

I say, less than a week and the nation will be screaming if it includes things like air traffic, the VA and other agencies that have a direct interface with the public.

As to budgeting, we already have a trip scheduled for Hawaii... and some of it is paid for, but not all.... guess that means lots of pizza in Hawaii!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[sasywtch]

I work for the State of CA and have been having furloughs for 5 years. First they closed all state offices for three Fridays a month, then it was "pick your own 3 days" a month, then it went down to 2 days a month, now we have been at 1 day a month, pick your own day off unpaid.

Over the years, we have gotten use to less money. Don't count on the public coming to your behalf, they want their stuff done without paying your salary through taxes so they have no sympathy for you.

Gardening is an excellent way to save some money. Eat lots of greens/veggies from the garden and freeze for winter months. Make a non meat meal once or twice a week. Combine trips or walk instead of using more gasoline.

 

[afnaechiquita]

I don't think it will take a long time (depending on what your definition of a long time is ).

I say, less than a week and the nation will be screaming if it includes things like air traffic, the VA and other agencies that have a direct interface with the public.

As to budgeting, we already have a trip scheduled for Hawaii... and some of it is paid for, but not all.... guess that means lots of pizza in Hawaii!

---Paul in Southern NJ

Hawaiian pizza in Hawaii??

I hope you're right that it's not too long.

 

[psimon]

Hawaiian pizza in Hawaii??

I hope you're right that it's not too long.

Around here they sell Hawaiian Pizza..... it has pineapple on it!

(Honestly, I wouldn't expect to get that there.... just like what we call Chinese food isn't really eaten in China! )

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[afnaechiquita]

Around here they sell Hawaiian Pizza..... it has pineapple on it!

(Honestly, I wouldn't expect to get that there.... just like what we call Chinese food isn't really eaten in China! )

---Paul in Southern NJ

True, but oddly enough I live in Asia and somedays would give anything for paperbox Chinese takeout versus the authentic stuff =)

 

[crashbb]

Around here they sell Hawaiian Pizza..... it has pineapple on it!

(Honestly, I wouldn't expect to get that there.... just like what we call Chinese food isn't really eaten in China! )

---Paul in Southern NJ

Actually, I had some great "Hawaiian" pizza in Hawaii - fresh Dole pineapple, kalua pork and (on Maui) goat cheese from a local goat cheese dairy (Surfing Goat Dairy).

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

My husband was furloughed last year. Hoping he won't be again! It really takes a chunk of your salary out. We were looking at buying a bigger house at the time but have since decided to stay in our almost paid off smaller home.

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[psimon]

My husband was furloughed last year. Hoping he won't be again! It really takes a chunk of your salary out. We were looking at buying a bigger house at the time but have since decided to stay in our almost paid off smaller home.

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That's the sort of stuff Washington doesn't seem to get..... That change (read that as loss) to our budget ripples down and messes with the entire economy. It's not just the Feds that lose out!

Sure, they appear to save some money.... but it then effects everyone done the chain and the entire economy suffers. From home sales to the hot dog vendor, we all lose.

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[smitch425]

We are a one income family, and DH is upper management for the DoD. His office consisted of 3 supervisors (him being one of them) and a head supervisor. Collectively they oversee about 60 people. Well, his boss just took a different job and one of the other supervisors is in a source selection which basically means he is locked in a room somewhere else on base for months. DH was put in charge of everyone. As if doing the work of 3 people wasn't already stressful enough, he has to deal with the ramifications of sequestration. He is dreading going to work tomorrow because morale is so dismal. He said no one wants to work, but there are things that need to get done. I feel so bad for him and our friends. Fortunately, we are very careful with our money and have a good amount of savings, but still... a 20% pay cut is a hard pill to swallow.

They are facing one day off a week for 22 straight weeks, but they do not yet know:

1) if it will be the same day for everyone or staggered
2) if they will get to choose the day or be given no option

It sucks, but it is what it is. We were pretty crushed that the fiscal cliff bill included the 2 month delay of the sequestration. We were really hoping we would be able to plan the year by now, but we can't make any big purchases or book any trips until we know what the future holds.

Our entire area will suffer from this. Wright-Patterson AFB employs several thousand civilian employees. Local businesses are going to take a financial hit, as well. It is very sad.

 

[worm761]

Our entire area will suffer from this. Wright-Patterson AFB employs several thousand civilian employees. Local businesses are going to take a financial hit, as well. It is very sad.

We have three bases in Pensacola. There are tons of civilian employees facing furloughs here. The local economy is going to take a huge hit here too. Not only are the civilians not going to be spending as much money but we are home to the Blue Angels and if the shows get cancelled, well, there goes a bunch of our tourist dollars too.

They now have 4 days to do something and I don't have much faith that they will at this point. Very sad indeed.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I asked my husband if he has heard how things will be for him and his employees, and he said as of right now, they are looking at losing one day per pay period, for the remainder of the fiscal year. They get paid biweekly so I am guessing he means that they will lose one day every other week.

I was kind of glad to hear it until he told me how much of a cut in pay this is going to be.

I really wish the people in Washington could get it together each year and pass something. Cut out unnecessary spending but leave the workers who provide services for the citizens alone. I believe that they use them as a tool to get what they want.

My husband has been a federal employee for 18 years now. Only once it came down to a real furlough. The rest of the time they have played these mind games and after a while it really takes its toll on you. He said that the morale in his office is down. I bet it is!

I know how much this has effected us over the years too. You cant plan to do a thing because how can you justify spending five thousand dollars on a trip when you may be out of work, or have a period of time with less income coming in. It's very frustrating for the whole family, all of the employees, the citizens and everyone. (Where is the angry guy smiley when I need it?)

 

[Quicklabs]

Hubby will be furloughed; we're planning for it the best we can.
Sure hope that Congress and the Prez are willing to take a 20% pay cut, too. Don't think that will ever happen, will it? Cheesed off at the whole lot of them.

We are a one income family, and DH is upper management for the DoD. His office consisted of 3 supervisors (him being one of them) and a head supervisor. Collectively they oversee about 60 people. Well, his boss just took a different job and one of the other supervisors is in a source selection which basically means he is locked in a room somewhere else on base for months. DH was put in charge of everyone. As if doing the work of 3 people wasn't already stressful enough, he has to deal with the ramifications of sequestration. He is dreading going to work tomorrow because morale is so dismal. He said no one wants to work, but there are things that need to get done. I feel so bad for him and our friends. Fortunately, we are very careful with our money and have a good amount of savings, but still... a 20% pay cut is a hard pill to swallow.

They are facing one day off a week for 22 straight weeks, but they do not yet know:

1) if it will be the same day for everyone or staggered
2) if they will get to choose the day or be given no option

It sucks, but it is what it is. We were pretty crushed that the fiscal cliff bill included the 2 month delay of the sequestration. We were really hoping we would be able to plan the year by now, but we can't make any big purchases or book any trips until we know what the future holds.

Our entire area will suffer from this. Wright-Patterson AFB employs several thousand civilian employees. Local businesses are going to take a financial hit, as well. It is very sad.

 

[mks18412]

I heard on the radio that people got back pay when they were furloughed in 1995... If this is true whats the point of a furlough??