It's a bittersweet payday for federal workers: 'A lot of us are living paycheck to paycheck'

""A lot of us are living paycheck to paycheck, like most Americans, but even more so now we have to be cognizant of where every penny is going," Mark Cochran, a furloughed National Park Service employee in Pennsylvania and AFGE Local 3145 president, said. "So we're going to have to drastically cut our spending, because we don't know where or when our next paycheck is going to happen.""

"Business Insider spoke with 11 federal workers across departments and geographies, including in the military. Some are furloughed, and others are reporting to work without pay. While the shutdown has already interrupted key economic labor data and reduced government services, Americans haven't felt much impact. That's about to change. This year, mass firings, deferred resignations, and a shutdown have jolted what were once thought of as stable roles; now, some workers are worried that they won't be able to afford necessities, or are holding off on other spending."

Paychecks start going out to 658,000 federal workers today, with additional deposits scheduled next week. Paychecks will be lighter than usual and may be the last until Congress funds the government. Back pay for furloughed employees is uncertain. Federal workers across departments, including military personnel, are either furloughed or reporting to work without pay. Many employees live paycheck-to-paycheck and face immediate pressure to cut spending and delay purchases. The shutdown has interrupted economic labor data and reduced government services, with broader effects on households and operations expected if funding remains unresolved.

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