How's the partial federal government shutdown affecting you?

[motherof5]

I was one of those same people back in ‘95. The scariest part was not knowing how long it would last. Fortunately pay was retroactive. I feel badly for those families affected with the present shutdown.

It really is a sad situation.

 

[Skellingtonj]

In my experience, those that brag about being prepared and look down on those not prepared, are usually lying or deluding themselves.

Agree 100%.

 

[dominiondad]

Over 20 years of federal service (law enforcement). I'm required to show up everyday, just no pay check until the people responsible for passing a budget do their jobs (not picking sides, pretty dissapointed with both sides). I have two Master's degrees in areas the government typically has significant trouble recruiting. I've stuck around for the mission, but watched as my coworkers left to take private sector jobs that more than doubled their salaries. We scaled back Christmas, limited travel, and are eating from the back of our cupboard in an attempt to keep as much cash around as we can. It's hard and demoralizing. Last week I reached my breaking point. I'm leaving. I spent the weekend firming up my resume and have begun actively looking and already have a couple solid leads. The government and this country can't afford to push experienced and skilled people out the door, but that's the path we've choosen. 5 years as a volunteer firefighter and 22 years in law enforcement to include 5 years on SWAT (no extra pay for that, just extra risk). I'm done serving a community that doesn't care. Time to go pay some bills. Sorry.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Over 20 years of federal service (law enforcement). I'm required to show up everyday, just no pay check until the people responsible for passing a budget do their jobs (not picking sides, pretty dissapointed with both sides). I have two Master's degrees in areas the government typically has significant trouble recruiting. I've stuck around for the mission, but watched as my coworkers left to take private sector jobs that more than doubled their salaries. We scaled back Christmas, limited travel, and are eating from the back of our cupboard in an attempt to keep as much cash around as we can. It's hard and demoralizing. Last week I reached my breaking point. I'm leaving. I spent the weekend firming up my resume and have begun actively looking and already have a couple solid leads. The government and this country can't afford to push experienced and skilled people out the door, but that's the path we've choosen. 5 years as a volunteer firefighter and 22 years in law enforcement to include 5 years on SWAT (no extra pay for that, just extra risk). I'm done serving a community that doesn't care. Time to go pay some bills. Sorry.

Very sorry this is happening to you. The whole thing is very sad. Thank you for sharing and I hope they figure out a way to work together and work this out.

 

[Starwind]

Other than the above, just that I'm waiting to go get DS a new passport, as I'm assuming they aren't processing them right now.

Passport applications are still being processed, with normal processing times.

See the Department of State's emergency alert re: passport services on their website:

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...ea/passport-services-government-shutdown.html

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I must be doing a really poor job of presenting my beliefs or many in this thread can't separate the people from the situation. It is like everyone is just screaming, think of the federal workers, think of the federal workers, like they are children that need to be cared for.

Long ago in this thread I talked about how it was a shame the federal employees were being used in a political war that neither side would win.

If it makes me morally superior because I believe most of the federal employees could have better prepared themselves for the shutdown, so be it.

Holy cow

 

[aprilchem]

I'm a researcher who relies on grants from the federal government (mostly the NSF) to compete my research. I'm really fortunate because the program officers for a very large grant I applied for (which will really help our local community) hurried to get my grant approved and processed about a week prior to the shutdown because they saw that it was coming. So I can start my work, but my institution won't receive reimbursement payments for the costs of the project until the government opens back up. That hasn't limited me now, but should this shutdown continue to go on (for the "weeks or years" that someone predicted) it could shut down my project entirely.

As a scientist, I feel great sympathy for the government researchers whose projects are being utterly destroyed by this shutdown. For some, this means years of research results negated because they can't maintain experiments or record results, and that is very sad.

 

[Starwind]

We went through twice in the last few days and several times since the shutdown and have noticed no difference. We were pulled off once and searched, my wife had her wristwatch in it's box, she keeps the receipts of jewelry in her box, the watch was $16,000. They wanted her to pay duty on it calling it a luxury item. Well she was bringing it to the US to keep it in Florida. We argued that whats the difference if it's in the box or on her wrist? They admitted that they didn't know how to handle it and let us have our passports gave the box back and let us go. I know you travel a lot so that's all just as an aside. It was strange though and I hope we didn't get flagged to be checked every time.

FYI for valuable items that you take out of the US, you can get take it to Customs before you leave the country and get a form from them so that when you bring it back into the country it shows you already had it in the US [i.e. you didn't newly purchase it abroad and therefore owe tax on it].

This question on the CBP website pertains to electronics, but explains the process and has a link to the form: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...ter,-camera,-laptops,-etc.-prior-to-traveling

SW

 

[smiths02]

I must be doing a really poor job of presenting my beliefs or many in this thread can't separate the people from the situation. It is like everyone is just screaming, think of the federal workers, think of the federal workers, like they are children that need to be cared for.

My DH is a federal worker who puts his life on the line to find, capture, and transport fugitives...murderers, rapists, child molesters, etc. In the 8 or so years that he has worked for the federal government, there have been 9 officers killed in the line of duty in his branch.

Our government hired federal workers, our government represents you and me, and I believe that we have a duty to "care for" them in terms of honoring the contract by paying them for their labor on time and giving them their agreed upon benefits (like the ability to take their vacation time). Not to mention, their job is more dangerous when "non-essential" employees are not reporting.

 

[kdonnel]

My DH is a federal worker who puts his life on the line to find, capture, and transport fugitives...murderers, rapists, child molesters, etc. In the 8 or so years that he has worked for the federal government, there have been 9 officers killed in the line of duty in his branch.

Our government hired federal workers, our government represents you and me, and I believe that we have a duty to "care for" them in terms of honoring the contract by paying them for their labor on time and giving them their agreed upon benefits (like the ability to take their vacation time). Not to mention, their job is more dangerous when "non-essential" employees are not reporting.

My focus is solely on how Americans (federal workers included) can do a much better job of managing their finances.

It appears that I am the only one who can separate out that point from the very emotional and personal nature of the shutdown.

 

[smilie]

If it makes me morally superior because I believe most of the federal employees could have better prepared themselves for the shutdown, so be it.

That's how you think you are coming across? Morally superior???

 

[smiths02]

My focus is solely on how Americans (federal workers included) can do a much better job of managing their finances.

It appears that I am the only one who can separate out that point from the very emotional and personal nature of the shutdown.

The topic of this thread is 'how does the shutdown affect you'?

While I understand it is in internet forum and you can reply however you like, the thread is specifically asking about the personal nature of the shutdown. This isn't the budget board.

My point was also that it isn't just about having compassion for someone less fortunate or having a bad situation. We (our government) hired these people and are now not honoring the contract.

If you hired someone and then did not pay them even when requiring them to work, that would be wrong. It would be wrong whether or not the person "needed" that money.

 

[dominiondad]

kdonnel - I don't disagree with you. I think a lot of people, both in the public and private sector could do a better job building a safety net that is less reliant on events they have no control over. But recognize that there are some of us here in the government employee world who have less because we work for the government. When I entered government service over 20 years ago, I took a substantial pay cut. I was then moved across the country, requiring my wife to quit her job, which limited our income even further. I can make a lot more money if/when I leave the government. Our pay raises since 2011 total around 6% while the CPI has risen something like 16%. That will only get worse with the 0% raise we are getting in 2019. Even though I've had two promotions, because of the increased costs of things like health care, my take home pay is virtually identical to what it was in 2011. I wish I had more in the bank. I should have more in the bank. But I don't. I have two kids in college. I drive a car that is paid off and over 100k miles. Every suit I own has a hole in it somewhere. We own one TV and discontinued our landline. We work out in our unfinished basement watching videos on the internet so we dont have to pay a gym membership. In short, we are trying to live within our means. At the same time, every morning I put my gun on my belt, get in my car with my bulletproof vest, medic bag, and crime scene kit to go to work. I'm careful to always say something nice to my family in case that day is the day I don't make it home. Last year I attended the funerals of multiple coworkers killed in the line of duty. Right now things really suck for us. The people who used to remind me "I pay your salary" have suddenly dissapeared. We will get through this. We don't need a hug, a "thank you", or a landlord to let us paint in lieu of rent. We just want to be paid for the work we've done. Another thing we don't need right now - a lecture on financial responsibility. My household has a budget, please direct your lecture to the folks representing you in DC who don't.

 

[smiths02]

My focus is solely on how Americans (federal workers included) can do a much better job of managing their finances.

It appears that I am the only one who can separate out that point from the very emotional and personal nature of the shutdown.

I'm assuming you are American. Then YOU employ my DH (albeit indirectly). YOU are requiring him to work without timely compensation (perhaps he will never be compensated, although I do doubt that). So now, YOU are giving my DH a lecture on finances instead of paying him.

You talked about being homeless in another thread. Would it make you morally superior if you hired a homeless person to say paint your house for $50, then, at the end of the day, say "I'm not going to pay you now, maybe I will later, come again tomorrow and see. I will, however, tell you that if you had handled your finances better, then the $50 wouldn't mean so much to you."??

 

[Eureka]

I'm a researcher who relies on grants from the federal government (mostly the NSF) to compete my research. I'm really fortunate because the program officers for a very large grant I applied for (which will really help our local community) hurried to get my grant approved and processed about a week prior to the shutdown because they saw that it was coming. So I can start my work, but my institution won't receive reimbursement payments for the costs of the project until the government opens back up. That hasn't limited me now, but should this shutdown continue to go on (for the "weeks or years" that someone predicted) it could shut down my project entire.

As a scientist, I feel great sympathy for the government researchers whose projects are being utterly destroyed by this shutdown. For some, this means years of research results negated because they can't maintain experiments or record results, and that is very sad.

I work for a scientific society and we wonder how many of our members are affected because of grants. Many of them rely on NIH funding. As for my family, DH is a contractor and he can work through 1/18. After that we don't know, but luckily he has some vacation time saved that he can use.

 

[DopeyDame]

My focus is solely on how Americans (federal workers included) can do a much better job of managing their finances.

It appears that I am the only one who can separate out that point from the very emotional and personal nature of the shutdown.

You haven't given a single example, no useful tools, no tips and tricks from your vast experience, that would help Americans (federal workers included) improve their finances or lessen the impact of the shutdown.
There's a whole entire board on the Dis dedicating to budgeting and finances. Perhaps they can use your advice.
This thread is about the emotional and personal nature of the shutdown.

 

[DopeyDame]

kdonnel - I don't disagree with you. I think a lot of people, both in the public and private sector could do a better job building a safety net that is less reliant on events they have no control over. But recognize that there are some of us here in the government employee world who have less because we work for the government. When I entered government service over 20 years ago, I took a substantial pay cut. I was then moved across the country, requiring my wife to quit her job, which limited our income even further. I can make a lot more money if/when I leave the government. Our pay raises since 2011 total around 6% while the CPI has risen something like 16%. That will only get worse with the 0% raise we are getting in 2019. Even though I've had two promotions, because of the increased costs of things like health care, my take home pay is virtually identical to what it was in 2011. I wish I had more in the bank. I should have more in the bank. But I don't. I have two kids in college. I drive a car that is paid off and over 100k miles. Every suit I own has a hole in it somewhere. We own one TV and discontinued our landline. We work out in our unfinished basement watching videos on the internet so we dont have to pay a gym membership. In short, we are trying to live within our means. At the same time, every morning I put my gun on my belt, get in my car with my bulletproof vest, medic bag, and crime scene kit to go to work. I'm careful to always say something nice to my family in case that day is the day I don't make it home. Last year I attended the funerals of multiple coworkers killed in the line of duty. Right now things really suck for us. The people who used to remind me "I pay your salary" have suddenly dissapeared. We will get through this. We don't need a hug, a "thank you", or a landlord to let us paint in lieu of rent. We just want to be paid for the work we've done. Another thing we don't need right now - a lecture on financial responsibility. My household has a budget, please direct your lecture to the folks representing you in DC who don't.

Thank you.

 

[soccerdad72]

My focus is solely on how Americans (federal workers included) can do a much better job of managing their finances.

If that's the case, you need to start a website, Mr. Ramsey

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My household has a budget, please direct your lecture to the folks representing you in DC who don't.

I hope this doesn't stray into the political realm (I'm not intending it to be just really giving info) but the Congressional District representative for the District boarding mine just started last week. He opted to not take his salary at that time due to the shutdown. I find myself wondering if my own District rep, who also just started, would do the same thing.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm a researcher who relies on grants from the federal government (mostly the NSF) to compete my research. I'm really fortunate because the program officers for a very large grant I applied for (which will really help our local community) hurried to get my grant approved and processed about a week prior to the shutdown because they saw that it was coming. So I can start my work, but my institution won't receive reimbursement payments for the costs of the project until the government opens back up. That hasn't limited me now, but should this shutdown continue to go on (for the "weeks or years" that someone predicted) it could shut down my project entire.

As a scientist, I feel great sympathy for the government researchers whose projects are being utterly destroyed by this shutdown. For some, this means years of research results negated because they can't maintain experiments or record results, and that is very sad.

I work for a scientific society and we wonder how many of our members are affected because of grants. Many of them rely on NIH funding. As for my family, DH is a contractor and he can work through 1/18. After that we don't know, but luckily he has some vacation time saved that he can use.

Scientific research is a frequently invisible function to most Americans in regard to government funding. Even those who consider themselves impervious to the effects of a government shutdown due to their superior prognostication and planning aren't immune if serious illness comes calling and the research program that was showing some potential of treatment or strides toward a cure gets cut off at the knees and derailed because it's going to take many months to get the research back to the pre-shutdown status.