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As a funding impasse disrupts airport operations across the U.S., Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he’s willing to pay the salaries of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers — out of his own pocket.

“I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country,” Musk wrote in a recent post on X (1).

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The disruption stems from a prolonged budget standoff in Washington that has left the Department of Homeland Security unfunded since mid-February, forcing roughly 50,000 TSA officers to continue working without pay.

The deadlock centers on immigration enforcement, with Democrats pushing for reforms to agencies like ICE and Republicans resisting those changes — leaving Congress unable to reach a deal.

As negotiations drag on, the impact on TSA is becoming increasingly visible: rising absenteeism, hundreds of resignations and long security lines at major airports (2). Some officials have even warned that smaller airports could soon shut down if staffing shortages worsen (3).

Given what’s at stake, Musk’s offer is certainly eye-catching — but how much would it actually cost him?

According to a Reuters report citing federal data, TSA staff earn an average of about $61,000 per year (3). With a workforce of roughly 50,000, that translates to about $58.65 million per week.

That’s no small sum. But if anyone can afford it, it’s Musk: With an estimated net worth of $823.5 billion, he is the world’s richest person (4).

It’s also unclear whether such a move would even be legally permissible. Still, there is some precedent for private support during funding lapses.

Last October, President Donald Trump said a private donor provided $130 million to help cover potential shortfalls in military salaries during a previous government shutdown (5). The donor was later identified by The New York Times as billionaire Timothy Mellon (6).

While Musk’s offer has grabbed headlines, the situation also underscores a more common risk: When income depends on forces outside your control — including political gridlock — financial uncertainty can follow.

Here’s a look at a few ways Americans can strengthen their financial footing so they’re not relying on a single source of income — or be left depending on the mercy of Washington.

Real estate investing is often viewed as a way to build more stable, diversified income, thanks to its potential to generate steady cash flow and long-term appreciation.

Well-chosen properties can provide a reliable source of rental income, helping reduce reliance on a single paycheck — while offering an added layer of financial security over time.

In addition, real estate has proven to be a powerful hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.

Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially with mortgage rates still elevated. And being a landlord isn’t exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns).

The good news? You don’t need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today. Mogul is a crowdfunding platform that offers an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

It’s a real estate investment platform offering fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — without the need for a hefty down payment or 3 A.M. tenant calls.

Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. In other words, you gain access to institutional-quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost.

Each property undergoes a rigorous vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Offerings often sell out in under three hours, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.

You can sign up for an account and then browse available properties here.

Another option is Lightstone DIRECT, which offers accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily and industrial real estate — with a minimum investment of $100,000.

Founded in 1986 by David Lichtenstein, Lightstone Group is one of the largest privately held real estate investment firms in the U.S., with more than $12 billion in assets under management.

Over nearly-four decades, their team has delivered strong, risk-adjusted performance across multiple market cycles — including a 27.6% historical net IRR and a 2.54x historical net equity multiple on realized investments since 2004.

With Lightstone DIRECT, you gain access to the same multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital.

Here’s the kicker: Lightstone invests at least 20% of its own capital in every deal — roughly four times the industry average. With skin in the game, the firm ensures its interests are directly aligned with those of its investors.

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Dividends are payments companies make to shareholders out of their profits, typically on a quarterly basis.

Investing in dividend-paying companies can be a way to build income that isn’t tied to your job, providing regular payouts regardless of your day-to-day work.

Unlike relying solely on capital gains, dividends allow you to generate recurring income without selling your shares — an approach many investors find appealing. As John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest Americans in history, once said, “Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in.”

While stock prices can rise and fall, companies with a strong track record of paying — and growing — dividends offer investors a steady cash flow. Over time, those increases can compound into a powerful income stream.

For investors unsure where to begin, platforms like Moby aim to simplify the process. Their team of former hedge fund analysts does the heavy lifting — breaking down the market, flagging quality stocks and making the research easy to digest.

In fact, across nearly 400 stock picks over the past four years, Moby’s recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts and takes the guesswork out of choosing investments.

Plus, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

The situation facing TSA workers highlights how quickly income disruptions can leave families vulnerable — especially when paychecks are delayed or uncertain.

Building a financial safety net, such as an emergency fund, can help cushion the impact of unexpected setbacks. Even setting aside a few months’ worth of living expenses can provide breathing room and reduce the need to rely on credit or make difficult financial decisions during periods of uncertainty.

To get started, a high-yield account like a Wealthfront Cash Account can be a great place to grow your emergency funds, offering both competitive interest rates and easy access to your cash when you need it.

A Wealthfront Cash Account currently offers a base variable APY of 3.30% and new clients can get a 0.75% boost during their first three months on up to $150,000 for a total APY of 4.05%. That’s ten times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC’s February report.

With no minimum balances or account fees, as well as 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times. Plus, Wealthfront Cash Account balances of up to $8 million are insured by the FDIC through program banks.

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We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

@elonmusk (1); NBC News (2); Reuters (3, 5); Forbes (4); The New York Times (6)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.