Worries for civilian workers at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as their pay is now officially cut for the next three months.
The culprit -- sequestration.
"The reality is, it's very close to home. It's right here," sayid Brig Gen. Nina Armagno, the 45th Space Wing Commander.
Sequestration -- automatic spending cuts -- are in effect across the country. This week, 1,500 civilian employees, 1,200 with the Wing -- are now getting 20 percent less in their paycheck.
"It is 20 percent of their pay, we are talking thousands of dollars out of their pockets," said Commander Armagno.
It means eight less hours of work a week, 16 a pay period.
For Rick Kibbey, it's two-fold.
"We are taking a double whammy due to two of us being here," he said.
Kibbey is head of the base's anti-terrorism office, his wife works on-base in human resources. Both will have to tighten their belt -- and a home improvement project is now on hold.
"For the most part everybody's doing a buckle up, keep your chin stiff, but it can't help affect you in some respect," said Kibbey.
The cuts also mean less personnel hours to get the job done. The 45th is in charge of rocket launches on the Space Coast. That could affect second and third launch attempts, should a scrub be called.
The base's commissary is now closed on Monday's due to budget cuts. Grounds maintenance is down to the essentials -- grass cutting mainly around the runway.
Commander Armagno says difficult choices are now the norm.
"It's impossible to do more with less, we have to do less with less," she said.
Base leaders say overall there's more than $4 million in salary cuts for the employees.
The furlough lasts until September.