The Government Shutdown Doesn’t Shut Down Your Budget
When the pay stops but the bills don’t, you quickly realize life doesn’t wait for payday. The ongoing government shutdown has already left many federal employees without pay and Service members, Guard, and Reserve personnel uncertain about when their next paycheck will arrive.
You can’t control what’s happening in Washington, but you can control your budget. By focusing on what’s essential, you can keep your finances steady and your household mission-ready until things return to normal.
At its core, every budget comes down to two principles, money coming in and money going out.
Keep Money Coming In
If your income has been interrupted, focus first on ways to keep some cash flowing.
- Check with your financial institution. Many military-friendly financial institutions are offering zero-interest loans or temporary paycheck-bridge options if your pay is delayed. While you will need to repay this money, these dollars can help cover housing, utilities, food, and other essential expenses during the shutdown.
- Seek emergency assistance to help with rent, utilities, or groceries.
- Generate some quick cash. Sell unused items or take on short-term work, if possible, to bridge the gap until regular pay resumes.
Slow the Money Going Out
It’s one thing to look at your budget, but it’s another to actually see it. Write down every expense and highlight the essentials that keep your household running like rent or mortgage, food, utilities, prescriptions, insurance, and transportation costs.
- Start by tackling those hardest hitting bills first. Make payment arrangements or earmark your emergency fund to cover housing, food, utilities, prescriptions, and insurance.
- Trim extras. Reduce, pause, or eliminate expenses where you can. This might mean temporarily cutting back on saving, investing, subscriptions, entertainment, or extra debt payments.
- Contact your creditors early. Ask about hardship plans, deferred payments, or due-date changes to better align with any money coming in. Some lenders may even offer auto loan deferrals that let you skip a payment without penalty.
- Negotiate bills. If your budget needs a little more tightening, call your internet, phone, or insurance provider to ask about temporary hardship discounts, lower-tier plans, or promotional rates. Many are willing to help if you ask.
- Stay smart with debt. If you have strong credit, consider refinancing or consolidating high-interest loans to reduce payments. If your credit isn’t the greatest, make at least the minimum payments to avoid late fees and protect your credit.
- Use installation and community support. Many bases have food pantries, lending closets, and thrift stores. Also, look for commissary specials. Finally, check out free financial counseling at the military and family readiness center.
Stay Mission-Ready
Use our free Budget Builder Tool to help you see your money with purpose and plan your next move. Remember — don’t walk out the way you walked in. Use this moment to build a stronger, smarter spending plan.
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