Government Shutdown and Finances , observation and effect on DMV area

[Anonymous]

Dual fed family here. We are ok right now, but if we aren't back to work/have back pay on the horizon by Dec 1 it will be difficult.

We were already cutting back on eating out, canceling streaming subscriptions, shopping, and I'm not booking after Christmas travel yet. I told my older child yesterday that we can't do both an outing (~$180) and family dinner out (~$225) for her birthday. We just did parents weekend at college and traveled for another kid's sports trip, both of which I considered canceling but I thought we'd be back to work. So I'm watching the budget.

[Anonymous]

I am seeing no impact inDMV. All restaurants are packed. People are still spending like crazy. Houses selling like hot cake. No owing down in economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am seeing no impact inDMV. All restaurants are packed. People are still spending like crazy. Houses selling like hot cake. No owing down in economy.

Darn was hoping it might be opposite so could visit downtown some over holidays. It used to be so nice by comparison 30 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am seeing no impact inDMV. All restaurants are packed. People are still spending like crazy. Houses selling like hot cake. No owing down in economy.

Darn was hoping it might be opposite so could visit downtown some over holidays. It used to be so nice by comparison 30 years ago.

Downtown over the holidays (actual holidays, not holiday party season) is always pretty dead regardless of the economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am seeing no impact inDMV. All restaurants are packed. People are still spending like crazy. Houses selling like hot cake. No owing down in economy.

Not what I’m seeing. But I guess I’m also not hanging out at Olive Garden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am seeing no impact inDMV. All restaurants are packed. People are still spending like crazy. Houses selling like hot cake. No owing down in economy.

Same. No change.

This reads like op is a reporter and salivating at the thought of people struggling nothing else.

[Anonymous]

This isn’t going to impact us even though DH and I are feds. We have savings to last us six months at least.

[Anonymous]

I'm baffled why people are putting so much emphasis on families missing Thanksgiving. Eating every day is far more important than one holiday. I'd be far more worried about the other 29 days of November and the 31 days in December. Thanksgiving is not a priority.

[Anonymous]

This is my third shutdown, and I am not impacted. I have savings to get me through a few months, and if push comes to shove, I could pull from my TSP.

The hardest part for me is getting up to go to work. This is my first time working during a shutdown, and it isn't easy to get up in the morning when you aren't being paid.

[Anonymous]

On x some people are saying the House won't be back this year.

[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 thought about the interest part the other day. If this situation continues into the new year, the lump sum/back payment will count towards our earnings for 2026. This will increase our overall income for 2026 and may push some into a higher income tax bracket when you file in 2027. Additionally, it could lead to complications with the Thrift Savings Plan, causing the maximum contribution limits for the year to be reached more quickly because of the lump sum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

Sounds like you need to learn to adult. If you are over 25 years old, you probably never will learn or have to learn the hardway.

See this as a good thing, a learning experience. Now it is up to you to learn what you are doing wrong.

Oh, cut it out. I am also out of work, have plenty months more of savings, and it is still unnerving as hell to be in this situation. Nobody feeling this has done anything “wrong.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On x some people are saying the House won't be back this year.

I agree that this is probably the case. I hope I am wrong.

[Anonymous]

I’m surprised by all the responses. Based on most threads in the money and finance section I came to understand everyone on dcum are dual income big law partners. Hmm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t going to impact us even though DH and I are feds. We have savings to last us six months at least.

It will impact you in the loss of savings. You're not going to starve but you're not untouched.