The Coast Guard suggested to its employees they hold garage sales and take odd jobs like mystery shopping to help them through the government shutdown that is leaving the families without a paycheck.
The Washington Post reported the service's website had a tip sheet for dealing with the shutdown posted on its website. It was taken down after the Post inquired about it.
"While it may be uncomfortable to deal with the hard facts, it's best to avoid the 'hide your head in the sand' reaction," the sheet read, according to the Post. "Stay in charge of the situation by getting a clear understanding of what's happening."
Some of the income-generating ideas the document listed were selling personal items, babysitting, and dog walking.
"Bankruptcy is a last option," it read.
The document was put together for the 8,500 civilians that work for the Coast Guard. According to the Post, 2,100 of those employees are working without pay and the rest are being furloughed. Roughly 41,000 Guardsmen are working without pay, since they are deemed essential employees.
Lt. Cmdr. Scott McBride told the Post the ideas for generating extra income did not "reflect the Coast Guard's current efforts to support our workforce during this lapse in appropriations. As such, this guidance has been removed."
The shutdown began Dec. 22 after lawmakers could not agree on providing funding for a border wall between the United States and Mexico. The Coast Guard was able to pay its employees through 2018, but it will not be able to do so for the next scheduled paycheck.
President Donald Trump has met with Congressional leaders several times on an agreement that would end the shutdown and allocate money for a border barrier, but the sides have not agreed on a solution.
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