ART creates furlough survival tips

  • Published
  • By MSgt. Andrew Biscoe
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  "People say I might be nuts for saying this, but I'm embracing the furloughs."

MSgt. Ellen Moore is an air reserve technician assigned to the 42nd Aerial Port Squadron, and a single mom with one son.

"We had enough notice, so I've planned financially," she said. "I live within my means anyway. I hide my money, not forgetting where I put it, of course, but so I won't spend it."

MSgt. Moore has been at Westover for 18 years. She's well-known throughout her squadron and recently took part in getting APS ARTs together to figure out how to deal with the furloughs.

"I've bulked up on food, paper products and cleaning products. My cellar looks like a grocery store," she said. "Clipping coupons takes time, but it saves so much money."

As does breaking other habits that eat up budgets.

"Think about the $12 or so you spend each week getting that coffee at the drive-through," she said. "You can save so much by cutting down on that alone. You can make your lunch at home before you come to work."

"Shop wisely," MSgt. Moore said. "Follow the flyers. Save your AT money." 

She was referring to annual tour money, which MSgt. Moore deposits in a separate bank account.

"I came up with a savings in my budget that amounted to $3,300 during the year," she said. "I could spend that in a year on scratch tickets."

The Department of Defense is scheduled to begin the furloughs July 8. More than 750 civilians and ARTs at Westover will take 11 days of unpaid leave through the end of September.