I truly feel for all the federal employees affected by this shutdown. Kuddos to this person for paying off those student loans! That is a huge achievement.
I’m curious how they were able to accumulate such a big amount in their retirement account at the age of 41.
Fellow furloughed federal employee here. I am impressed the writer is the breadwinner, financial planner, and parent to two young children in her household, and is doing well on the financial end given the pressures she is under.
Former USAID contractor here. Sending good vibes for job security in the face of potential future federal workforce reduction or agency elimination. The old recommendation of a 6 month emergency fund just doesn't hold up in this economy or under this administration; I wish we had had a year built up because it is truly taking that long to find employment.
The emergency fund discussion is so interesting! 6 months is so hard to accrue and yet if you lose your job, it really doesn't feel like enough, especially with how hard it is for many to find jobs today.
I can relate to this post so much as I’m also a federal employee, the primary breadwinner, financial planner and parent of 2 young kids. Very interesting to read about how she approaches these aspects of her life
Same! This post, especially the feelings expressed at the beginning and the concern about potentially illusory or evaporating investments, really resonated with me. - A non-furloughed, unpaid, federal attorney
Shelley, thanks so much for this deeply empathetic comment. She has suffered a lot of loss this year, and I join you in the sentiment that I hope she has gentler times ahead. ❤️
So this is not a single woman interview but I still loved it :) Those are usually the ones I comment on. How I feel for you furloughed federal employees! I love learning new things--I guess that's where my former journalism career came in handy and my current role as a secretary sometimes feels a little dry--so this was really interesting to me. I just had a friend accept a county government job and I notice myself saying stability, benefits, etc., until something like this happens. Impressive interview. Thanks for your honesty. I really enjoy reading these!
My perspective is work longer because health insurance is only going up and so is college. working also keeps your brain nimble. No matter how much you save health insurance is always costly and then there is the stuff insurance doesn’t cover, co-pays, and misc costs.
Another topic or subject might be as we get older where do we want to live out our lives. Many retirees move because their state taxes become untenable. Start looking, visiting now!
Thank you for featuring a fed outside of the DC area! I am in DC - though not a fed myself - and often worry that people elsewhere in the country don't realize that 80% of federal employees are out of the DC area, so the knock-on effects of things like the shutdown impact literally everyone in this country. I appreciate that your readers are seeing that thanks in part to this post!
I truly feel for all the federal employees affected by this shutdown. Kuddos to this person for paying off those student loans! That is a huge achievement.
I’m curious how they were able to accumulate such a big amount in their retirement account at the age of 41.
"Outside is still free—for now." LOL SO TRUE!
Haha, yeah....
Fellow furloughed federal employee here. I am impressed the writer is the breadwinner, financial planner, and parent to two young children in her household, and is doing well on the financial end given the pressures she is under.
Former USAID contractor here. Sending good vibes for job security in the face of potential future federal workforce reduction or agency elimination. The old recommendation of a 6 month emergency fund just doesn't hold up in this economy or under this administration; I wish we had had a year built up because it is truly taking that long to find employment.
The emergency fund discussion is so interesting! 6 months is so hard to accrue and yet if you lose your job, it really doesn't feel like enough, especially with how hard it is for many to find jobs today.
And the cost of health care when you don't have an employer-provided plan!
I can relate to this post so much as I’m also a federal employee, the primary breadwinner, financial planner and parent of 2 young kids. Very interesting to read about how she approaches these aspects of her life
Same! This post, especially the feelings expressed at the beginning and the concern about potentially illusory or evaporating investments, really resonated with me. - A non-furloughed, unpaid, federal attorney
Sending a lot of care to this person and my deep sympathies - they've suffered a lot of loss this year. I hope for gentler times ahead.
Shelley, thanks so much for this deeply empathetic comment. She has suffered a lot of loss this year, and I join you in the sentiment that I hope she has gentler times ahead. ❤️
Tucson Desert Museum is legit!! I'm from Flagstaff originally, but love visiting down there.
So this is not a single woman interview but I still loved it :) Those are usually the ones I comment on. How I feel for you furloughed federal employees! I love learning new things--I guess that's where my former journalism career came in handy and my current role as a secretary sometimes feels a little dry--so this was really interesting to me. I just had a friend accept a county government job and I notice myself saying stability, benefits, etc., until something like this happens. Impressive interview. Thanks for your honesty. I really enjoy reading these!
Thanks, Heidi! And it really does seem like there's no "safe" industry anymore!
Great share- I love this series!
Thanks, Courtney!
My perspective is work longer because health insurance is only going up and so is college. working also keeps your brain nimble. No matter how much you save health insurance is always costly and then there is the stuff insurance doesn’t cover, co-pays, and misc costs.
Another topic or subject might be as we get older where do we want to live out our lives. Many retirees move because their state taxes become untenable. Start looking, visiting now!
Thank you for featuring a fed outside of the DC area! I am in DC - though not a fed myself - and often worry that people elsewhere in the country don't realize that 80% of federal employees are out of the DC area, so the knock-on effects of things like the shutdown impact literally everyone in this country. I appreciate that your readers are seeing that thanks in part to this post!
Thank you, Betsy!