Gov't shutdown would hit military families hard
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD -- A government shutdown would delay paychecks for some military families already struggling to stay afloat.
The Beeches is one such family.
With six mouths to feed and another on the way, motherhood is a full-time job for Kelly Beech.
"I could say we easily spend close to $600, $700 a month, and that's with being thrifty, easily," she said.
Relying on the single income of her husband, Staff Sgt. Sean Beech, Kelly has turned clipping coupons into an art, looking for deals and shopping clearance to save every penny they have.
"We really live paycheck to paycheck every month," she said.
That's why recent news of a possible government shutdown has been so alarming.
"We will be in a lot of trouble financially. There won't be money to support our family," Kelly said.
If Congress can't reach a deal on spending, the Department of Defense is planning for an "orderly shutdown," one that would furlough non-essential positions.
Essential positions - like those of soldiers serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan - would continue to work, but their paychecks would be delayed.
In a news release on Thursday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged the impending government shutdown would be hardest on young families. Department officials added they "remain hopeful a shutdown will be averted," but that it's necessary to plan for one.
And that means families like Kelly's could be required to dip into whatever meager savings they have.
"If we had to, for a month, maybe we could rely on (savings), but after that?" she said.
Facing an uncertain future, Kelly can only watch and wait at this point. Still, she has seven good reasons to stay hopeful.
"The last thing I want them to worry about is whether or not we're going to have a roof over our heads in two months," she said.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord says it is waiting for guidance from the Department of Defense on how to plan for a government shutdown. Officials plan to brief military families Friday afternoon.
The Beeches is one such family.
With six mouths to feed and another on the way, motherhood is a full-time job for Kelly Beech.
"I could say we easily spend close to $600, $700 a month, and that's with being thrifty, easily," she said.
Relying on the single income of her husband, Staff Sgt. Sean Beech, Kelly has turned clipping coupons into an art, looking for deals and shopping clearance to save every penny they have.
"We really live paycheck to paycheck every month," she said.
That's why recent news of a possible government shutdown has been so alarming.
"We will be in a lot of trouble financially. There won't be money to support our family," Kelly said.
If Congress can't reach a deal on spending, the Department of Defense is planning for an "orderly shutdown," one that would furlough non-essential positions.
Essential positions - like those of soldiers serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan - would continue to work, but their paychecks would be delayed.
In a news release on Thursday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged the impending government shutdown would be hardest on young families. Department officials added they "remain hopeful a shutdown will be averted," but that it's necessary to plan for one.
And that means families like Kelly's could be required to dip into whatever meager savings they have.
"If we had to, for a month, maybe we could rely on (savings), but after that?" she said.
Facing an uncertain future, Kelly can only watch and wait at this point. Still, she has seven good reasons to stay hopeful.
"The last thing I want them to worry about is whether or not we're going to have a roof over our heads in two months," she said.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord says it is waiting for guidance from the Department of Defense on how to plan for a government shutdown. Officials plan to brief military families Friday afternoon.
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