Is the sequester affecting you? Share your story

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way, but on March 1, Congress let $85 billion in across-the-board, indiscriminate spending cuts go into effect. In Washington, those cuts, known as the sequester, have even prompted the White House to cancel tours. But what does it mean for you at home?

Are you, your friends or your family waiting to hear about furloughs or pink slips due to the sequester? Is there a government program you depend on that’s seeing its budget slashed? Have you noticed any cancellation of events or services in your community?

Or, does the sequester talk seem overblown to you? If so, why do you think this is? Are you unaware of any impact of the sequester on your life?

Whether you’re feeling the impact or not, we want to hear from you. Here are two ways you can participate in our coverage:

1) Share your story at Yahoo! Contributor Network.

Stories that meet our criteria may be published on Yahoo News under your byline. Learn more about what we’re looking for.

Or:

2) Email your story to contributor-news@yahoo-inc.com.

Tell us how you're affected by the sequester. Are you expecting a furlough? Are you relying on a government program that will lose funding? Is your family in jeopardy of being denied services? Please specify exactly how you will or are being affected, and include the specific names of programs, what you do for a living and other applicable details. Also, please touch on how the sequester makes you feel: Are you worried about your short- or long-term future? How so? How has the sequester altered your budget or lifestyle? Are you angry at the government because of the spending cuts? Do you believe they're necessary to regain sound financial footing? How do you reconcile your feelings about government spending with your personal situation?

Or, tell us why you think talk of the sequester is overblown. Do you think it’s better than no spending cuts going into effect? Did you expect negative effects but now aren’t seeing them materialize? If so, what were the effects you expected, and why did you expect them? Were you expecting a furlough? Did you fear a government program you rely on would lose funding? Please specify exactly how you thought you would be affected, and include the specific names of programs, what you do for a living and other applicable details.

In your email, please include your full name, city, state and occupation.

Please send in your stories by Monday, March 25. We look forward to seeing them!