Soldier: How am I supposed to pay rent if I do not get paid during the government shutdown?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 09:57:54 -0500

With another government shutdown I hear more talk about Soldiers not being able to pay for rent and other bills. It highlights to me that there are many people living paycheck to paycheck. What is the cause? Is it poor planning, living outside ones means or is it a problem with the system?

Below is a link to ideas for Active to save money.
https://www.semidelicatebalance.com/2014/06/22/10-ways-save-money-military-families/

Other ways to ensure that you are prepared for emergencies is to develop a budget and stick to it. Pay yourself in your savings until you have at least three months pay (yes it will take awhile) in case of emergencies of losing job, losing house due to fire, etc.

If you have issues/questions ask around for resources such as Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey that are available to help with planning.

10 Ways for Military Families to Save Money

Saving money on a military budget is about knowing and using your resources. Here are 10 ways to save money for military families.

Response by CA Delete D. made Jan 22 at 2018 10:13 AM

CA Delete D. — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:13:27 -0500

That is fine and good, but with credit card debt, phone bills, car payment, insurance, food, utilities, etc. ...and the tendency of young soldiers/sailors/marines to have kids...well, not typically that feasible. Plus, they may have been getting ahead but a significant shutdown (and rumored potential of no backpay) is not only painful it is essentially a breach of contract. These folks are not kept (or made) whole by political filibustering or grand-standing. The folks on the lower end of thr totem deal with deployments, nutty hours and, in some cases, exposing themselves to death (military death benefits are not being paid during this shutdown). Planning is necessary, yes, but it shouldn't be an all-inclusive game of finger-pointing....despite the poor example being set forth in Congress.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 22 at 2018 10:54 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:54:01 -0500

Yes, young troops overspend, and folks outside bases make damn sure they are overcharged to the max. Excess finance charges on all types of loans, etc. Add to the mix that the typical trooper is married with kids and living off-base rent is high, and the are getting what the pay for. Also jobs for dependents are often low pay or scarce, and good paying jobs are learly of hiring for 2-3 years. When you think of a $500 car payment, $100 phone, $100 cable bill then rent, food, etc. Makes money tight on lower enlisted.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 12:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:52:14 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member I think it's a bit of all-of-the-above. I remember, as a young E-3, I was stupid w/ money. Wanting to go do things all the time. Was finally independent. Dave Ramsey could be a Godsend for many, but they have to have the intestinal fortitude to see it through to the end!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 4:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 16:41:05 -0500

I believe that its poor financial planning for the majority of the military. It is true that a large portion of the Armed Forces are considered to be below the national poverty line. This figure is derived only on our taxable income which for most of us is base pay only. If you account for all of our allowances and the fact that we have practically free medical care, the military pay check isn't to shabby. It continues to baffle me how many soldiers (especially single soldiers) live check to check. I've sole supported a family of five since I began my services as an E3. My budget includes the basics along with a mortgage to our first home that we've struggled to rent out over the years. We've always had a bit of extra cushion to play with. I've maintained an emergency fund of 6 months worth of my expenses (though this did take me 3-4 years to build as lower enlisted). My wife's income (when she has some) is not considered into the budget. Ever cent she makes goes into investments. In fact, my budget is still based of an E3 pay. Every time I've gotten promoted or get the pay bump ever two years the additional income has gone to paying off my first home or investments as well.

Not saying all this to brag but if I can manage to pay all of this with my check, why is it that someone with maybe a cell phone, car payment, insurance, living in the barracks can't pay their bills? I can understand the newer members living off-post with families, or even the single parent paying the ridiculous cost of child care (which is actually why my wife didn't work until all the kids were in school). The rest have no excuse, just piss poor planning.

We as leaders have a responsibility to our subordinates to provide them all the tools necessary to succeed. It is up to them to use them appropriately. The problem stands that many of today's senior leaders where never provided the proper guidance of financial planning. How could the services as a whole rectify this situation?

"Plan for the worst and hope for the best"

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 5:25 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 17:25:25 -0500

Pray that your Senators and Congressmen or women get their heads out of their xxxxxx and do there job like normal military men and women do. That’s how.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 23 at 2018 12:55 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:55:18 -0500

Let me point out the obvious that no one else seems to be saying. In the 10 shutdowns between 1980 and 1996, the Military was specifically exempted from the shutdown. When you add to the fact that the only shutdowns that lasted more than 3 days was in 1996, then again 17 years later in 2013.
My take was that the non Progressive rank and file members of the Democratic Party offered a lot more resistance to shutting down because of DACA than Schumer or the DNR reckoned since the only concession was to allow DACA to come to a floor vote in the Senate, where it's may pass, but has absolutely no hope in the House. So they can point out that they tried and that the evil Republicans blocked their legislation.