| Clue | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Gradually trims ... or a phonetic second hint to solving this puzzle's theme | New York Times | 06 Oct 2022 |
| Reduces, as spending | LA Times Daily | 26 Jul 2018 |
| Reduces, as spending | The Washington Post | 26 Jul 2018 |
| Reduces, as spending | ||
| Trims, as a budget |