Anybody worried about this? Anyone have any inside intel?
H and I planned to go to the beach this weekend. We already paid $330 for a hotel, and I budget $250 for food for the weekend. The hotel is fully refundable, and we're undecided on whether we should go. We're not in a super strong financial position (so no, going on the trip was not a smart MM decision, but I was all, "Fuck it, it's been a hard year, and we haven't taken a vacation since 2009!"), so the responsible thing would probably be to cancel it. But BEACH. I WANNA.
All I keep hearing in my agency is that things are going to be even tighter in FY14 than they were in FY13. I was lucky that my agency avoided furloughs, but I have a feeling we won't be so lucky this year.
I'm not in the loop whatsoever on the possibility of a government shutdown. But that notwithstanding, I would probably go. You are not in the habit of making decisions like that, the $600 won't be make or break for you, and I don't see it as being a gateway to more spending in the future.
A life where EVERY decision is MM is a fucking snooze.
Post by karinothing on Sept 18, 2013 9:39:19 GMT -5
Eh, they always threaten a government shut down this time of year. Last time there was a shut down they called us back after a few days because the olds and disabled were in an uproar about their checks. Then people got back pay for the days it was closed.
BUt I don't think the gov is really going to shut down. They haven't managed to do it the since 2008, I doubt they will do it this year.
Post by bostonmichelle on Sept 18, 2013 9:42:30 GMT -5
Eh I'd do it especially since you've had a rough year. You totally deserve it and if your worried just eat some rice and beans and ramen noodles when you get back. I'm also way not in the loop on this gov't shutdown.
Post by biscoffcookies on Sept 18, 2013 9:49:11 GMT -5
I'm hoping that it will be more of the same (lots of talks and threats, and then last-minute vote to keep us open), but I have been reading articles from a variety of sources in the past couple days that are not optimistic given the factors at play and the incentives involved. Honestly, my personal opinion is that odds are much better about it happening this time than previous times. Certain factions of the GOP (e.g. Ted Cruz and his followers) have convinced me that they are not willing to vote for a funding extension without defunding Obamacare, and Boehner has not yet had any success in getting enough people in the House to sign on to an alternative plan. Meanwhile, there is no way that the Senate will pass (or Obama will sign) a bill requiring the delay or defunding of Obamacare. So......
All that being said, I think I would still go to the beach if you feel like you can afford it (even though it might not be the most MM move). It sounds like you guys are overdue for a vacation, and its not like you are spending an insanely high amount of money.
I'm about to move buildings and they don't want to accommodate my having to pump, to you know, feed my baby.
At this point a shutdown would be a nice vacation away from this place.
Have you pointed out to them that it's, you know, FEDERAL LAW?!?!
Oh yes and I still had the bathroom suggested to me. Only it was my Director's private bathroom, that's not awkward at all. I'm dealing with figuring it out now.
What's the drop dead date. I should know this and will be more in the loop next week when I'm back at work. I would go on vacation. No guarantee but there has historically been back pay when there's a shutdown.
What's the drop dead date. I should know this and will be more in the loop next week when I'm back at work. I would go on vacation. No guarantee but there has historically been back pay when there's a shutdown.
September 30 is the end of the Fiscal Year, so that's the last day there's funding if nothing for FY14 is figured out.
I am actually familiar with the usual annual threat of a shutdown. Because I, you know, read the news. But the things I've read have said there is a higher chance than usual of it actually happening because Boehner basically has no control over the Tea Party wing of the House.
Also, this year it happens to actually affect my bottom line, so I'm a little more interested than in past years.
But thanks for your insightful addition to this conversation. I can't wait to see what you have to say next!
This shit happens every year. Go on your trip and enjoy yourselves.
On a side note- can someone suggest a job where I can dick around, not accomplish anything and get paid a lot of money? Oh, wait- Maybe I'll just run for Congress.
Post by simpsongal on Sept 18, 2013 12:07:27 GMT -5
I haven't heard much buzz about a shutdown this year, but I guess that doesn't mean it won't happen. I would just go ahead and take your vacation. I have a feeling this shutdown business will be the new norm for a while (just as continuing resolutions are the norm).
I would still go. My agency doesn't do furloughs (like Kari, out clientele would not be pleased) but things have been tight recently. I say enjoy yourself!
Post by awkwardpenguin on Sept 18, 2013 15:12:36 GMT -5
After your year, I'd put it on a CC and not look back. Even if the fuckers shut down the government, it's likely to be one paycheck you'll eventually probably get anyway.
Note: I am not the best MMer on this issue. I put about six months of living on credit cards in the name of healing from my divorce.
H is getting worried because all of his clients are putting off October projects on the assumption that shut-down will happpen. I think we are going to put the rest of the month's purchases on CCs to maximize available cash in the event of a shutdown. And I'm now leaning toward canceling because I'm worried it will stress H out too much. And then I can work weekend hours to make some extra money.
I will work a ton of extra hours next week to bank up some money, and we are going to use CCs for all the rest of our purchases (groceries, gas, etc.) this month, just to make sure we have enough cash for next month.
Now, cross your fingers and pass me some sunscreen!