Cash, food, medicine, gas, water, and batteries are the main staples of surviving a hurricane. The same goes for a furlough. Image: JohnKwan/Shutterstock.com
By: Abraham GrungoldFederal Furloughs occur and you must prepare and you need a survival plan.
Have federal employees learned the hard lessons from the last one or are they thinking that it will never happen again? Historically, furloughs have been long and short, and they have been under Republican and Democratic administrations.
I experienced eight federal shutdowns during my federal career.
Bush Sr, Clinton (2), Obama, and Trump (2). There were two other federal furloughs that lasted only one day.
The longest federal furlough occurred during 2018-2019. It was 35 days long. Now in 2025, the federal furlough that is presently happening may exceed that figure of 35 days. But what have federal employees learned from the last one? And how have they prepared in the last six years.
I was a federal employee for 36 years. I have lived in South Florida since 1996. I treat a potential federal furlough like I treat hurricane season. Each year, I understand the potential of one, prepare to be ready and not be overwhelmed.
Cash, food, medicine, gas, water, and batteries are the main staples of surviving a hurricane. The same goes for a furlough. Cash, food and medicines are necessary when you do not have a paycheck coming in. Everyone should have a cash reserve for three months to pay your bills whether it is a furlough, hurricane or if you experience a physical injury and maybe out of work for an extended period.
As a federal retiree, it is the first time in the last forty years that I am not stressed about a federal furlough. However, I am still stressed about hurricane season and I continue to prepare each year and hope that nothing happens.
With respect to a furlough, you need funds in two phases of the furlough. You need funds during the furlough and after the furlough. Hopefully you receive back pay and if you do not receive back pay that reserve would be critical.
Being prepared prevents your anxiety and panic. During the last furlough, I met with my family and we cut out all unnecessary spending. Personally, I only cut back on eating outside of the home and playing golf. I had enough cash reserves on hand to pay all my monthly bills for a minimum of six months.
Saving a cash reserve for a furlough is as simple as going without that Starbucks gourmet coffee, a Lottery Ticket and that weekly breakfast with friends. Skipping a daily Starbucks coffee for a year and you can save $1,825. Being prepared can prevent you from anxiety and the unknown during a furlough.
Some survival tips for a federal furlough:
1. Eliminate all unnecessary spending, Starbucks, eating outside of the home. Streaming services and other entertainment vendors.
2. Contact utilities and credit card companies and see if they will waive late fees and interest payments.
3. Sell items from your home. Have a yard sale or sell them online.
4. Gold is over 4,000 per ounce, sell some old Jewelry.
5. TSP Loan. You can have two TSP personal loans.
6. Temporary Jobs, UBER or Tutoring etc.
The key is that Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
Abraham Grungold is a retired federal employee with 36 years of federal service – including with the USPS Inspector General, the VA Inspector General, the US Dept of Justice, and the US Dept of Labor. Through his company AG Financial Services he helps federal employees with their TSP and federal retirement planning and decisions. Mr. Grungold has written over 100 articles regarding the TSP and FERS retirement and been a guest on several podcasts with the Federal News Radio and Government Executive Magazine.
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