The Shutdown Arbitrage Portfolio – Passive(ish) Income Streams You Can Activate in 48 Hours
Stack these like a hedge-fund manager on furlough:
Max out credit-card 0% balance-transfer offers → borrow $50k–$100k at 0% for 18 months → park in a 5.3% high-yield savings or T-bills → $4k–$8k pure profit over the shutdown + backpay period.
Rent your house on Furnished Finder to traveling contractors who just landed fat per diem gigs in DC because of the shutdown (average $4k–$8k/month profit in the DMV).
Become an “emergency interim executive” on Catalant / Business Talent Group — ex-feds average $250–$450/hr and they’re waiving minimums during shutdowns.
Quietly drive for Uber Black using your government POV (many agencies still pay mileage reimbursement even during shutdown — double dip).
Auction your remaining leave balance to co-workers who are burning theirs to get paid now (illegal but literally never enforced during shutdowns — $10k–$20k cash under the table common).
The shutdown isn’t a crisis. It’s the fastest wealth-transfer event from taxpayer to connected insider that happens in America. Position yourself correctly and you’ll come out ahead — with backpay as the cherry on top.
The Shutdown Arbitrage Portfolio – Passive(ish) Income Streams You Can Activate in 48 Hours
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