For employees of Anniston Army Depot and its tenants, this summer is not a time of vacations, movies and leisure activities, but, rather a time of slim budgets and monetary woes.
Toward the beginning of the year, when potential furloughs were announced for all Department of Defense organizations, many individuals throughout the depot, including Edith Hysell, a lead budget analyst for the Directorate of Resource Management, began making adjustments.
Hysell calculated what the furlough would cost her in income and began to strategically set aside that amount in savings.
"At the beginning of the year, when word came out about the potential furlough, I started setting aside small amounts until I had enough to cover what I would lose."
Some, however, didn't have enough flexibility in their budgets to save the same way.
Judy Alexander, a transportation assistant for the Anniston Munitions Center said between the rising cost of fuel, utilities and other necessities and the lack of a cost of living raise for several years, she was already having a difficult time making ends meet before the furlough reduced her hours and, as a result, her paycheck.
"The only thing I have to fall back on is my faith. I keep paying my tithe and trust the Lord will take care of me," she said.
Faith and family have become a common source of strength for employees as they struggle to provide for loved ones.
Janice Rickson, a freight rate specialist for the Anniston Munitions Center, and her husband are both employed by the Department of Defense and, therefore, are subject to the same 11-day furlough.
"We started tightening our belts as soon as we heard there was a possible furlough," she said.
They spend only the bare minimum and Rickson has been trying to look at the silver linings to stay positive.
"We do have a little more time to do things at home," she said.
Rickson's faith has been strengthened by the experience and she counts one blessing -- that she can now see more of her grandson each afternoon.
Stacey Hill, a machinist for the Directorate of Production, has also focused on his family.
"We have some savings, so it's not going to be too bad," he said, adding that he has cut back on leisure activities and eating out.
"We have tried to look at the positive -- this will give us more family time," said Hill.
For Sharon Little, a traffic management specialist for the Anniston Munitions Center, her family time has been cut by the furlough because she has increased the time spent at her part-time job.
A year ago, Little took her prior nursing training and re-certified as a licensed practical nurse. Since then, she has worked at a local health care facility.
"So, what I'm doing is working seven days a week," she said. But, as the furlough approached and she knew her hours at the depot would be cut, she asked to be placed on call.
"I used to work only on my days off. Now, I'm working whenever I can," said Little.
She misses seeing her kids because of the two jobs. Three of her children are still at home and she is thankful they are old enough to understand why she is away so much.
"In my spare time, I am a mother," said Little.
Little and many other depot employees expressed their concern for young families who work on the installation and have more responsibilities.
Gail Hughes, a supply technician for DLA Distribution Anniston, Ala., has always made a habit of saving, so when furlough approached, she wasn't concerned about her own financial stability, but she began to worry about those she saw around her who were just starting families.
"I'm more concerned about younger employees here who don't have savings to fall back on," said Hughes.
Heather Howard, a maintenance management specialist for the Directorate of Production Management, took a long look at what could be cut from her family's expenses. Since she, like many individuals in the workforce, has a spouse employed by the Department of Defense, the cut to her family is twice as bad.
"My husband and I both work here, so we're losing double," she said. "We have cut back on everything we can."
Each small saving helps. She has even gone as far as changing cell phone companies to get a less expensive plan.
Frank Mitchell Jr., a machinist for the Directorate of Production, is looking at savings from a gas mileage point of view. He rides his motorcycle to work, even on rainy days and hopes the savings will be enough to help feed his family.
"I am a single parent having a hard time putting food on the table," said Mitchell. "We don't cook big meals anymore."
Tony Dickinson, a blocker and bracer for DLA Distribution Anniston, Ala., is also the sole bread winner in his family
His family has cut back on trips and cable television. Currently, he is assessing whether or not he will be able to take a trip to see the birth of his grandchild.
"We have looked into taking money out of my retirement savings and, if it comes to that, we will do that."
Milton Bostick, a heavy mobile equipment mechanic for the Directorate of Production, is worried about not being able to pay all his bills, namely his house and car payments.
"Furlough has put me in a position where I could potentially lose my house or my car and if I lose my house or car, I could potentially lose custody of my son," he said.
To ease his financial situation, Bostick is looking for part time employment and doing odd jobs.
Ultimately, though, he hopes to change careers and is considering returning to college.
"Everyone is feeling this punch, no matter if they have another job or another source of income," said Paul Andrews, transportation assistant for the Anniston Munitions Center. "We are having to watch every penny."
Jeannie Maye, travel assistant for the Anniston Munitions Center, also cut back her expenditures in expectation of the furlough.
"The first thing I did was reduce my Thrift Savings Plan. I had been saving the maximum amount, but I have gone to three percent," she said.
She also began to use coupons, going so far as to purchase Sunday papers from Birmingham and Georgia.
But her biggest change has been in the afternoons -- finding things to do that don't cost money to occupy her time.
"I spend my extra time exercising," said Maye. "If I don't do that, I might spend money."
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