Community Chat

[Caaareful Shopper]

@dooBdoo 

[Trinity11]

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@Caaareful Shopper wrote:

@dooBdoo 

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Ditto.

[PamfromCT]

@dooBdoo, Thank you for your service to our country.  And thank you for your very wise words.  There are many federal employees, like you, who are well-educated professionals who could be making more money in the private sector.  But they chose a career in government service.  There are many ways to serve our country.

[dooBdoo]

               You're always so kind, Pam.❤️   Thank you.   I do find the stereotypes wearisome and disheartening (all stereotypes, for that matter).   If people were aware how dedicated, valuable, and hardworking so many of the employees are; or the level of sometimes-overwhelming stress that can be involved; or the hours spent, uncompensated, on our own time to provide the best service and "product," they probably wouldn't be as judgmental.    I have such admiration for the vast majority of people with whom I've worked, and that includes an enormous number of veterans.

[proudlyfromNJ]

There are many different circumstances surrounding how much of an ‘emergency fund ‘ people have. 

When we had a mortgage we Might be able to pay one month out of an emergency fund. Most mortgages are not cheap. And..we had no kids. 

People astound me sometimes.

[DJs mom]

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@Caaareful Shopper wrote:

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@maestra wrote:

From everything I have read HERE gov't workers are forming bread lines.

Doesnt anyone have an emergency savings account?

I was a single mother for 22 years, no insurance coverage for me (DD was covered by ex), living pretty much frompay to paycheck and even I had an emergency fund that was never used unless it ws a medical emergency or if I became unemployed (rare, but did happen 1 x). 

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@maestra  I'm sure you are grateful for your many blessings.

There are many who have emergency accounts, and many who do not.  I was a single mother for 26 years.  Put my son through 5 years college (Master's degree).  My ex-husband was in another country and no child or spousal support ever came.  Paid for my father's funeral expenses during my first furlough.  Paid my mother's mortgage during her cancer treatment during my second furlough.

Savings account?  It's called life.  I have been blessed many times over, and today I am in a much better place.  But it takes all seasons of life to get through to the other side, and even then it's never easy.

That "bread line," as you call it, are some people's only hope because of everything else going on in their lives.  I cannot judge them one tiny bit.   

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@Caaareful Shopper I wish I could give you 10  for this post.

[Eileen in Virginia]

I worked most of my Federal career in an organization that was essential, meaning we had to come to work during furloughs even though the Government couldn’t pay us. Although Government shutdowns have evolved into a part of the budget process, they don’t usually last longer than a few days. This one, and a few previous ones, are extreme. Every August and September, I would stock up on food (bless you, Food Saver!), prepay our mortgage and utility bills, put extra money in the bank, etc. in anticipation of a Government shutdown. Some of my coworkers chuckled about this and my in-laws laughed out loud. That’s OK, we were prepared and the food didn’t go to waste.

OUR FAMILY WAS VERY LUCKY. My husband and I earned enough money that we could afford to weather the shutdown. Some of my subordinate supervisors and employees couldn’t afford to do this because they lived from paycheck to paycheck. Many Federal employees in lower-graded and entry-level positions could be considered to be the “working poor” especially in the DC area and other high cost cities. Some of them can’t afford their Federal health insurance premiums, so they waive coverage. Sure, there are those employees who live right up to or beyond their means, but many live frugally and still struggle. This is the first time I’ve seen so many businesses and restaurants step up to support Federal employees during a shutdown. It’s heartening, especially since Federal employees are very generous donors through the Combined Federal Campaign (our United Way) and local food banks. 

[golding76]

CARMIE,

That is correct, health coverage remains intact during a furlough.  However, this woman's plan may require her to pay a certain co-pay with her prescriptions and she is unable to afford that at this time.

Also, she may even have to give a certain amount as co-pay for a doctor visit and even more for a specialist visit.  Co-pays take from an individual's available cash.  She is cash-strapped now. 

The ambulance will most likely have a co-pay, no matter which plan she has.  My federal retirement health care plan dropped my option for this year, and now, for the first time, I will be required to make a co-payment for an ambulance ride.  

[JustJazzmom]

Shutdowns have ripple effects on society. 

My husband is reading the latest book by Michael Lewis of The Big Short from which came the movie.

The latest book is called The Fifth Risk. It goes into detail how the government does many things that many of us don’t even know they do.

I recommend it for many to read.

[golding76]

JustJazzmom,

I was discussing with my family the cascade effect this shutdown is having, and will continue to have.  There is, unfortunately, irreparable harm being done to our lives, our nation each day this drags on.  

My heart hurts for those who are suffering directly from being cut off from their source of income.  A few will not be able to weather this blast.  That is nothing short of tragic.

But keep in mind that all segments of our society and economy are being adversely affected in ways we have not yet realized.

Last night, I rode by the White House, and I just wondered what was going on inside its walls.

[Chef Jose Andres's restaurants have been providing free sandwich lunches to furloughed feds and contractors, and his World Central Kitchen provided a warm meal of grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, etc., to the same group. They reported that they served 5,000 meals the first day they offered a warm meal .  Chef Andres is a great humanitarian.]