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Meet Natalie Folino, the mom of three who is single-handedly trying to keep her family above water during the lovely federal government shutdown. Isn’t that what all parents dream of? A never-ending adventure involving financial acrobatics and social media fame!
This stay-at-home marvel from Dayton, Ohio, is now a thriving entrepreneur after learning that essential employees don’t actually receive “essential” paychecks. Who knew? Her husband, an employee of the Department of Defense, is still braving the commute like it’s a post-apocalyptic wasteland, while their home budget resembles make-believe Monopoly money.
“We’re going on day 29 of no payday, and let me tell you, sprinting on fumes is an art form,” Folino candidly shares with Fox News Digital. Being a single-income household is great—until that income decides to take an extended vacation, apparently.
Prior to the tragic saga of the government shutdown, Folino was busy growing her social media following, presumably hoping thousands of strangers would throw money at her for laundry tips. It’s funny how the universe tells you the only way to stay afloat is to literally float—by doing the laundry of others. Talk about a twist in the plot!
With her sights set on a lofty $5,000 goal this October, Folino is hustling like she’s auditioning for “America’s Next Top Side Hustler.” Spoiler alert: She made it! “I must earn $160 each day, no days off,” she quips, because why take a break when bills don’t take a holiday?
Her side gigs read like a list of the most charming forms of modern-day servitude: dog walking, social media consultations, and laundry services. Think of it as a quaint version of “Survivor,” but instead of an island, she’s in her laundry room, folding clothes and secretly wishing for financial independence.
As it turns out, some days she hits the financial jackpot, raking in $431, while on others, she may as well be panhandling with a measly $22. And, if the government shutdown weren’t enough, her Air Force community has added to the chaos, causing a “hustle not-so-fun” scenario all around. Yet, Folino remains optimistic, declaring, “You can control your attitude and work ethic,” as if that’s a magic wand that would end all financial woes.
In a touching twist of fate, after surpassing her $5,000 goal by a whole $224 (don’t spend it all at once!), Folino declared she’d donate her profits to those with even bigger money problems. Nothing says “I made it” quite like giving back when you were just trying to make ends meet. “Anything is possible,” she says, and isn’t that what we all need to hear while we juggle three kids, laundry, and a newfound entrepreneurial spirit?
