Ostolaza is a supply technician at Fort Hood in Texas. The Defense Department has warned Congress that most of its civilian employees will be furloughed, so Ostolaza expects his notice to land any day. It will trim his paycheck by $150 to $200 each week.
When he first heard about furloughs, Ostolaza had a long chat with his wife about the financial consequences of a 20% pay cut.
"We're going to pay the important (bills) -- the house, the car payment," said Ostolaza, an Army veteran who served in Iraq. The family is preparing to cut cable television and cell phone service.
"The good thing about being a human being is you adapt," Ostolaza said. "I hope Congress will learn ... the American people are the ones affected."
