Government Shutdown and Finances , observation and effect on DMV area

[Anonymous]

Hello ,
Its been almost one month in government shutdown . I am feeling hit now. my savings account is drying up . prediction tells this shutdown will continue upto 43 days. I have cut down all my expenses , eating out mostly staying home and trying to find new job. How you guys are managing . what impact do you see of this government shutdown in DMV region. Honestly i dont see any impact for now everything is fine , restaraunts are full , people are still spending money , rents are also high not coming down. People are saying health insuracne rates are going up will it have any significant impact.

Please discuss
1)do you see any effect of shutdown on your budget ? are you cutting any expenses
2)do you see your health insurance premium going up ? will it have any effect on your budget , mortgage rent etc..
3)what are chances of feds loosing job ?
4) what can be broader impact of this shutdwon in DMV area. Please add more points if you like to.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Why?

[Anonymous]

I’m not a fed worker, so I’m not directly feeling affected but I’ve noticed it at my local restaurant (non chain restaurant) that they are struggling because people are eating out less and they are now wondering how much longer they can stay open.

[Anonymous]

I am worried specially they are stopping social security and food stamp benefits for needy.. how will be thanx giving ..

[Anonymous]

For now my DH is still working and being paid, but that will only go on so long.

We've stopped spending money on extras, we are not purchasing much for the holidays except gifts that I have already bought. We aren't going out to eat, I am only buying what is discounted at the grocery store, and we've slowly stopped drinking any coffee.

I've warned my therapist that if my higher earning than me dh is placed on unpaid furlough, I will no longer be able to afford therapy and will have to pause treatment.

We also are not going to be traveling to visit family for the holidays this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For now my DH is still working and being paid, but that will only go on so long.

We've stopped spending money on extras, we are not purchasing much for the holidays except gifts that I have already bought. We aren't going out to eat, I am only buying what is discounted at the grocery store, and we've slowly stopped drinking any coffee.

I've warned my therapist that if my higher earning than me dh is placed on unpaid furlough, I will no longer be able to afford therapy and will have to pause treatment.

We also are not going to be traveling to visit family for the holidays this year.

Do you have any impact of health insurance rate hikes ?

[Anonymous]

We are paying for groceries, rent, and childcare, nothing discretionary, as we are Dual Feds and have zero income coming in.

[Anonymous]

I volunteer with two organizations that see food insecurity up close, and the demands on us are increasing literally by the day.

Our local restaurants tell us they are struggling, and I've had nights when we were the only people in there.

I was in a rural area of PA and stopped for gas and it cost 2x more than anywhere else I've gotten gas lately.

I've talked to more than 10 acquaintances who are experiencing unplanned, unwanted, early retirement, which means they did not and will not ever meet their retirement goals.

[Anonymous]

It's not just federal workers, but federal contractors too. The uncertainty of existing and future contracts has people stopping their spending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For now my DH is still working and being paid, but that will only go on so long.

We've stopped spending money on extras, we are not purchasing much for the holidays except gifts that I have already bought. We aren't going out to eat, I am only buying what is discounted at the grocery store, and we've slowly stopped drinking any coffee.

I've warned my therapist that if my higher earning than me dh is placed on unpaid furlough, I will no longer be able to afford therapy and will have to pause treatment.

We also are not going to be traveling to visit family for the holidays this year.

Do you have any impact of health insurance rate hikes ?

Not yet, but it's a bit early. Who knows what will happen now that most of federal HR has been fired and most of the HR people left are furloughed. We'll probably just see an increase when it happens without warning.

[Anonymous]

What burns me up - and must learn to let go — is that when this mess is over - and we are given our money (the feds who’ve had to go into office and pretend nothing is going on) they will pay us in one lump sum. This is basically giving them an interest free loan (as we will be taxed at the highest rate - so they win. Too late to get out. Thanks for the vent!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What burns me up - and must learn to let go — is that when this mess is over - and we are given our money (the feds who’ve had to go into office and pretend nothing is going on) they will pay us in one lump sum. This is basically giving them an interest free loan (as we will be taxed at the highest rate - so they win. Too late to get out. Thanks for the vent!

I mean, the rates will wash out when you do your taxes for the year. But yes, annoying that they will over tax you in the short term.

[Anonymous]

While we are doing OK financially, we are definitely cutting back in areas. I paused my StitchFix, I have limited my Amazon orders, and we are buying less meat. I am trying to use up what’s in the freezer, etc. I’m a federal contractor, so I won’t be getting any back pay.

[Anonymous]

I feel so bad for the small businesses in the region. They are taking a beating.

[Anonymous]

I feel so bad for the small businesses in the region. They are taking a beating.

They should call our members of Congress - maybe they will listen to business owners, because they sure don’t care what feds have to say.