My sister is a federal employee and her furlough and 20 percent pay cut officially starts on Friday. This has been a subject of much anxiety for her, to the point that she began having panic attacks.
She is single, and very much depends on all of her income. a 20 percent cut is going to hurt, even though it will only last three months.
I have helped her work through some areas where she could cut back in order to better prepare for this time, and she's done great with it.
Still, I worry. I am trying to put together a furlough care package for her, to help her stretch the dollars during this time. Mostly, by saving her on groceries and household items to free up money for bills.
I'm looking for more ideas on what would work best.
So far, I plan to include some grocery store gift cards.
I am including
-two large boxes of powdered laundry detergent
-two containers of oatmeal
-two peanut butters
-two apple butters
-two tubes of toothpaste
-two large bodywashes
-a large bottle of shampoo and conditioner
- a box of lady products (ahem)
-two large bottles of dish soap
-two boxes of spaghetti.
I pulled the above from my coupons stash. I was thinking of supplementing with:
- a large package of toilet paper
- a large package of paper towels
-microwave popcorn
-pasta sauce
-canned veggies and soups
-bags of coffee
-cooking oil
-sugar
but now I am out of ideas. Any thoughts? What would yo appreciate if you had to take a paycut for three months and we worried about making ends meet?
Furlough care package
July 9th, 2013 at 02:14 am
July 9th, 2013 at 02:24 am 1373336690
A $5 gift card to Starbucks for her favorite drink might be something fun to throw in. Maybe something fun to read now that she has more time to herself. I fed my brother for awhile with cereal and dog food and other incidentals that were from my stock. He appreciated it and is now only three weeks unpaid between jobs. Good luck to your sister!
July 9th, 2013 at 02:32 am 1373337170
July 9th, 2013 at 02:34 am 1373337255
July 9th, 2013 at 02:50 am 1373338242
July 9th, 2013 at 02:53 am 1373338387
July 9th, 2013 at 03:29 am 1373340541
July 9th, 2013 at 03:44 am 1373341487
July 9th, 2013 at 03:45 am 1373341537
July 9th, 2013 at 12:49 pm 1373374144
July 9th, 2013 at 02:12 pm 1373379172
She could stop her newspaper subscription and cable service (or tell the cable to suspend her service for a time). That would help her some.
Poor kid. The stress of all this is something we all share.
July 9th, 2013 at 02:49 pm 1373381381
Does she garden? Maybe a little six pack of tomato plants (in pots if necessary). Very easy to grow and lots of home grown food.
July 9th, 2013 at 02:49 pm 1373381384
July 9th, 2013 at 04:05 pm 1373385959
Unfortunately, as a single person, she doesn't really have the same options we couples do, to have one person make a little more to make up for it.
Just trying to soften the blow to her.
July 9th, 2013 at 04:30 pm 1373387426
July 9th, 2013 at 05:35 pm 1373391316
July 9th, 2013 at 06:41 pm 1373395265
Pass along our best wishes, I'm confident she can turn this lemon to lemonade by deciding what positive things she wants to do.
July 9th, 2013 at 06:44 pm 1373395490
July 9th, 2013 at 06:51 pm 1373395892
July 10th, 2013 at 01:05 am 1373418331
July 10th, 2013 at 04:54 pm 1373475270
July 10th, 2013 at 11:47 pm 1373500051
July 11th, 2013 at 12:20 am 1373502045
Maybe a split on a CSA share or if a farmers market has some sort of scrip, if that's something she does.
Does she shop at the same grocery stores you do? If so, a couple of your coupons would help.
Does she live near you? If so, a couple of invites to dinner?
I agree with the rest - what a thoughtful thing!
July 11th, 2013 at 04:32 pm 1373560341
July 11th, 2013 at 06:51 pm 1373568666
July 11th, 2013 at 08:18 pm 1373573939
July 12th, 2013 at 08:09 pm 1373659758
I know you did some bodywashes but you might consider a Peppermint/Rosemary bodywash or body scrub. You could probably make one, but Bath and Body Works also has a wonderful one that sometimes helps me through my roughest days. I always come out of the tub feeling a little bit more encouraged and relaxed.
July 12th, 2013 at 09:09 pm 1373663385
July 13th, 2013 at 03:13 am 1373685181
July 17th, 2013 at 05:37 pm 1374082673
July 19th, 2013 at 05:39 pm 1374255585
July 25th, 2013 at 03:52 pm 1374767527
July 27th, 2013 at 07:17 pm 1374952679