The economic downturn has hit everyone hard. The author's organization, the Los Angeles Opera, has completed two years of downsizing, resulting in an almost 25% reduction in staff and overall budget cutting. Change that is not "nipping and tucking," but changing the dynamic and culture of the institution. However, if the organization hadn't done it, it will surely would have been out of business. Through experience as the Chief Financial Officer of the Los Angeles Opera, the author gives tips to educators in other non-profits, such as new ways to approach expense cutting in times when all budgets are shrinking.