Does spending just to spend make you angry?

2015-08-26T16:36:25-04:00

It’s getting to that time of year again when everybody’s trying to get their share of “fall-out” money or to just wastefully spend it to spend it.
Shouldn’t we really change the way we manage the money, so it can either be rolled into the next fiscal year or pooled into a “Defense” pot for really needed things (i.e. short-funded small unit needs, pay increases, re-initiate some previously cut MWR program(s), some type of incentive to encourage units to spend wisely, etc.)

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 26 at 2015 4:43 PM

2015-08-26T16:43:58-04:00

I dislike the use it or lose it mentality the government has. What happened to saving for a rainy day?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 26 at 2015 4:45 PM

2015-08-26T16:45:01-04:00

I like this!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 26 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-08-26T16:46:07-04:00

I assume you are referring to "Use it or Lose it (next year)" in the Budgetary Planning School of thought.

The problem is that we don't don't have crystal balls and it's impossible to adequately forecast what we'll really need for the coming year, so we have to rely on historical data and "guess." This creates a negative feedback loop.

A "good" comptroller, and those responsible for funds below him know how to make this work, however not enough people are familiar with the various "colors of money" (yes, this is a real thing), and how to properly allocate things to where you don't have "last minute spending sprees."

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 26 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-08-26T16:46:34-04:00

No. They are seperate and distinct. One has zero to do with the other. If it were true the Democratic Party would have gone away long ago. Some of the most famous democrats were KKK members

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-08-26T16:48:34-04:00

Yes we should absolutely change the way we do this. The problem is how?

It's not a simple system, so a simple revision of it won't work either :-/

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 26 at 2015 4:52 PM

2015-08-26T16:52:47-04:00

Many spouses think they are purchasing agents, thus when they see bulk savings, they buy it. Soon the house if filled with bulk items and thousands are tied up in "inventory". This topic makes me cringe.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 26 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-08-26T16:56:39-04:00

The system rewards insanity.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 26 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-08-26T17:16:35-04:00

Show up on time. Be professional. Keep your personal life private. Act like you're in the military. Who cares about anything else?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 5:24 PM

2015-08-26T17:24:57-04:00

In the real world, the one you and I live in, spending just to spend might have something to do with a personality disorder, like OCD. However, in the government world, I think it's called, "spend it now or your budget will be cut next year." Yes sir, it makes me angry, lunatic angry. It's like, let's see if we can raise the debt level another trillion. :-(

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Aug 26 at 2015 6:04 PM

2015-08-26T18:04:23-04:00

Well it is kind of obvious that the Government has been over spending for years. Do I get pissed off, you bet your ass I do. After all, it's coming out of our pockets. And by the way, when in hell was the last time that your State Senators or Congressman ever asked your opinion of if they should buy whatever it is they feel they need. I mean, WTF-OVER! And how about these fu-king pay raises and bonuses? When was the last time you got a bonus for doing your job?

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Aug 26 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-08-26T18:35:36-04:00

The real problem is not "spending money just to spend", the problem is that the money is not spent at the proper time for the proper items. I am sure that all of us have seen where at the beginning of a fiscal year that we do not have fuel, ammunition, or other needed items but then at the end of the fiscal year there is a glut of those items that then have to be expended if we are to have them next year. That is a management/leadership issue where our leaders have learned from the past to try and save for the rainy day, when it might be needed and not expending it when it is actually due. When this happens we see vehicles and aircraft driven or flown to expend the fuel and mad minutes at the range to expend the ammunition and not proper training.

Why is this a problem, from the level that I worked at, you have a minimum of resources to maintain currency or qualification at a minimum level that is dictated by readiness factors, however when you use the current methods of saving for a rainy day, when you have to expend the resources, you cannot conduct proper training. When this occurs you have units that are in a Red Combat Status condition, when they should be in a Green Combat Status condition.

I hope that this makes sense to some of you.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Aug 26 at 2015 7:02 PM

2015-08-26T19:02:56-04:00

As September approached, I would always order as much toilet paper as I could. You know how much TP one can load on an Mk48-14?! As budgets were exhausted (and while waiting for the ensuing FY budget to be approved), I still had "money." Basically, we'd use the butt-wipes to barter for repair parts, fuel, and other necessities. The CO scolded me for this ...until he realized how much a conex box of toilet paper could bring on the "grey market."

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 3:13 PM

2015-08-31T15:13:23-04:00

That would make way to much sense. Wish it would happen but there is too much red tape.