Marc M. was a federal employee during the 1995-1996 government shutdown that lasted 21 days.
He was classified as “essential,” so he had to keep working without knowing when his next paycheck would arrive.
While many of his coworkers panicked, Marc and his wife remained calm.
That’s because for years, they lived by the motto “Live on less than you make.”
Marc saw firsthand how many federal employees lived paycheck to paycheck despite earning good salaries.
He watched coworkers scramble, saw the stress on families, and witnessed people who made six figures suddenly unable to cover basic expenses.
Most importantly, Marc learned a critical lesson that applies to everyone: Never be dependent on a single source of income.
When ENRON imploded years later, Marc noticed the same pattern – couples who both worked at the same company were completely devastated.
As government shutdowns become more frequent and longer, Marc’s lessons are more relevant than ever.
Whether you work for the government or private sector, economic disruption can hit without warning.
So, here’s what you need to know about surviving when your income disappears.
Financial Preparedness:
The first and most critical element is having cash reserves.
You should aim for 3-6 months of expenses saved, but during a shutdown, even 2-4 weeks of cash can make a huge difference.
Keep physical cash at home since ATMs and banks could face technical issues or runs during extended shutdowns.
This way you can still buy food, gas, and supplies even if electronic payment systems fail or your direct deposit doesn’t arrive.
Consider opening accounts at multiple banks so if one has technical issues, you have backup access to funds.
And definitely don’t forget to have gold and silver (you can go to pawn shops and sell it if you need to).
Essential Supplies Stockpile:
Government shutdowns can affect food inspections, emergency services response times, and supply chains.
Build a minimum supply of 30-90 days’ worth of shelf-stable foods like rice, beans, canned goods, and survival food pouches and canned meat.
Don’t forget water storage – one gallon per person per day minimum.
During a shutdown, grocery stores that could face supply disruptions or panic buying.
So, having your own stockpile means you can ride out the chaos while others are fighting over toilet paper.
Alternative Income:
One of the biggest lessons from past shutdowns is that relying on a single income source is risky.
Develop side hustles or freelance skills that can generate income quickly if your main paycheck stops.
This could be anything from consulting work to selling items online to picking up temporary jobs.
The goal is to have options when your primary income disappears.
Drawbacks to government shutdown preparedness:
Space Requirements:
Storing months of food, water, and supplies requires space that many people don’t have if they live in apartments or smaller homes.
Which means you’ll need to get creative with storage solutions, using under-bed storage, closets, and garage space efficiently.
Upfront Costs:
Building a proper emergency fund and supply stockpile requires money you might not have right now.
It’s better to start small and build gradually rather than waiting until you can do it all at once.
Even setting aside $20 per paycheck adds up over time.
Expiration Management:
Food supplies don’t last forever, so you’ll need to rotate stock regularly to avoid waste.
You should actively use and replace your emergency supplies rather than letting them sit until they expire.
Create a rotation system where you use the oldest items first.
But if you use survival food pouches and canned meat like I do, these can easily last more than a decade.
