The government has closed again, this time mainly on health care subsidies. We’ve seen shutdowns before, and we’ll see more in the future.
Still, the shutdown is frustrating, reminding us that uncertainty is the only constant. Not only do I want to survive, I want to show you how to thrive in and after one person. On the 750,000 federal employees’ leave, of course some of you read the Financial Warriors, and believe it or not, this is probably one of the best things that have ever happened to you.
For everyone else (non-federal workers), the impact is usually small: no blue angels in the rattled windows and horror pets, or limited access to the national park. However, Uncle Sam will still charge you taxes, and the “essential” staff keeping the machine running without paychecks.
Three groups, three closing methods
Closed people are divided into three categories:
- Vacation (~750,000) – Suddenly there was no job, but no salary. Ironically, the group has the greatest flexibility and opportunity.
- Required (~420,000) – The Unsung Hero keeps the system running without paying a salary. They deserve more recognition.
- Everyone else – Private sector workers, taxpayers, self-employed people. Even if you are not directly affected, this is a good time to emphasize a test of your financial position.
Every group can be frustrated or become stronger. Given that each of us hasn’t done anything to prevent closures, let’s choose someone stronger.
Never let the government close down and waste it
I’ve experienced enough setbacks to understand everything, good and bad, are temporary. Including closing.
When I left my finance job on severance payments in 2012, I increased from multiple six-figure income to $0. No biweekly salary. No health benefits. No year-end bonus. Just silence.
The first three months were difficult. My whole adult life was closely related to my salary, and suddenly the rope was cut. But once fear disappears, the joy of freedom exceeds the loss of income. Uncertainty, not crushing me, but fuel. I built something safer than before.
The government shutdown is the same. One day, the salary was there. Next, not. Panic is the first one, especially if you are in a salary-to-pay situation. But if you hit the right one, this temporary disruption can trigger something lasting – resilience, new income streams, and even better life.
And, when the government inevitably reopens, you will receive a return salary for all hours when you are not working. good!
So let’s talk about how to make the most of this moment so that you can not only survive, but also thrive.
1. Understand the past: Everything is temporary
Not knowing how long the closure or recession will last is what makes us anxious. But uncertainty is also the reason for creating opportunities. The longest closure in history delayed 34 days in 2018.
If you can handle the idea of a month without paying, you will feel even stronger. If you can prepare mentally for two months, you will turn your fear into confidence and lead anyway.
2. Finally exploring different opportunities for making money
Furloughed employees are in a non-payment, non-payment state, which means you can work elsewhere. Some drive to Uber, serving Doordash, Tutor, Fulorance or Do Handyman Jobs.
Back in 2014 and 2015, I spent more than 500 Uber riding to write this experience. I made $20-$38 per hour and if I really need that money I might clean up nearly $4,000 per month. Even half today, there are still nearly $2,000, paying a lot for groceries, utilities and some rents.
Other options: TaskRabbit, Rover, Craigslist gig. Assemble furniture, walk dogs, teach guitar or pickle. Each of you has a profitable skill. Close is your permission list to use it. To be honest, I was shocked that the kimchi coach now costs up to $140 per hour.
3. Discover your entrepreneurial dream
With a full-time job, it is difficult to pursue any entrepreneur. But now you have time and psychological bandwidth.
Launch the website. Create online courses. Draft a business plan. When the government reopens, you will end up getting a salary, so you can now swing the negative side.
The Financial Samurai was born in July 2009 during the financial crisis. The fear of layoffs prompted me to stop making excuses and start writing. When I negotiated severance payments in 2012, I took some time and started to focus. This decision not only gave me purpose, but I created financial stability after a few years that I never thought of.
lesson? Fear is fuel. Uncertainty may be the driving force you need. Close is just another fine tweak.
4. Treat closure as a small retirement or leave
One of my biggest regrets in finance is that I never took a vacation. I was too worried about falling behind and missed a good year-end bonus. Looking back, rest will expand my career and even change the timing of starting a family. Oh, it’s the best thing to be able to bring parental leave to my children.
Instead, my “mini retirement” only started after I left work permanently in 2012. It shocked me at first, but it also opened up space for thinking about what really matters. I wrote more. I’m getting healthier. I spent more time with my parents and eventually founded my family in 2017.
Therefore, consider this closure as your vacation. Experiment with the feeling of early retirement. Maybe you will find yourself liberty. Maybe you will crave stability. Either way, you will learn something valuable about yourself.
5. For essential employees: stay rooted and strategic
If you still don’t have a salary job, thank you. It’s a tough place, but there’s nothing you can do.
- If necessary, negotiate with the landlord, lender and utility to defer payments. Many people are surprisingly flexible if you ask.
- Click on your emergency fund – that’s what the purpose is.
- Diary or write about your experience. There is value in the story.
- Protect your health – Stress is a real danger.
When it’s over, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re keeping it alive when the system matters. This perseverance is valuable not only in the workplace, but also in building one’s own financial fortress. Once you recover, you may even start to appreciate your salary even more.
6. For everyone else: Observe and prepare
Even if you don’t have a direct impact, use it as a stress test. Ask yourself:
- How long can I not earn?
- Do I have at least six months of spending savings?
- Am I relying too much on a job or contract?
There is no guarantee of proof of closure, and there is no government salary. Establish redundancy of side income, cash buffer, and firm relationships.
When I first left work, I thought my passive income stream was enough. Until our son was born five years later, neither of us had a job. During this period, some tenants moved out, while some investments performed poorly. Reality checks forced me to save more seriously and generate additional income. It was uncomfortable, but it made me stronger.
Opinion is everything
Turning off the phone comes and goes. What continues is how you respond.
When governments reopen and always do so, you can become stronger: with a clearer mindset, new skills, and even new sources of income.
The financial crisis of 2008 – 2009 felt like a disaster at the time, but it turned into a spark that changed my life. Losing a lot of money prompted me to cut costs, actively save money, negotiate severance payments, and eventually start the Financial Warrior. What seems to be the basis of freedom.
So don’t just survive. Prosperous. Use this moment to prove that true freedom does not come from salary, but from choice.
When the return paycheck eventually lands in your account, you know that you do more than just wait for it. You turn uncertainty into opportunity – the nature of financial warriors.
Reader, will this latest government closure affect you? If so, how do you plan to turn a suboptimal situation into an opportunity? Or do you like unexpected breaks that almost guarantee salary refunds once the government reopens? If you are now on vacation, would you feel relieved or anxious?
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