Per the Washington Post, a vote is scheduled for tomorrow on the back pay issue. Much to my surprise, it's sounding like it may actually happen:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/10/04/support-all-around-on-back-pay-for-furloughed-feds/

We're eating down the , freezer, and pantry until we go to the store. I am furloughed. OTOH, i just bought DD snow boots at 40% off.

We cut most extras a while ago. I had to furlough our cleaning service...

I would cut all extra spending. There is no guarantee that furlough workers will get the back pay.

Have him file for unemployment.

I think you should have a conversation with your husband and find some middle ground. In my family, I'm the furloughed one and he's still working. He's suggesting that we go out to the movies or to dinner (to get me out of the house so I stop wallowing, I think), and I'm the one who wants to sit at home and not spend a dime. We have an ongoing conversation about the situation, and we will find some low-cost activity to boost our morale to get through a few more days.

DH is furloughed and we have savings but we are cutting back on extras in case he doesn't get back pay. No lunches out for me. No shopping at WF. We were going out w friends this wknd and we invited them over instead.

If he is a federal employee, his supervisor is wrong and he s eligible for unemployment.

If he's a furloughed on tractor I'm not sure of the rules.

I would shut down all extras since you have depleted your emergency fund with prior emergencies. There are places to get food in the metro area and I suspect that they will start to be inundated if this lasts past the next paycheck.

Good luck to you.

I work and dh is furloughed. He was told explicitly by his supervisor that he could not file for unemployment. Savings are depleted from an emergency home repair and medical expenses. I can cover most expenses but if this goes on much longer, we will be in deep do-do. I assume there will not be back pay.

The issue is that I've slashed extras to the bone while he is continuing to spend. They aren't big expenses but that box of cupcakes he brought home to cheer himself up would have paid for the allergy medicine we are out of.

I just feel like he isn't taking it seriously while I'm onthe verge of tears every day with anxiety.