SAVE

and subscribe

I am disgusted, absolutely disgusted by the recent recission act of the federal government to claw back funds that were already allotted to public broadcasting and foreign aide. Add that to all the other cuts by DOGE - slashing cancer research, mental health support, education, LGTBQ+ resources, the National Parks Service, USAID, VISTA Corps…the list goes on and on.

And what really gets me is the cheering of this by people as if we’ve forgotten we belong to each other and hurting others is fun.

Last Friday, right after the recission act passed, my local NPR affiliate WAMC spent 3 hours talking about the impact this would have on communities. How seniors who live alone listen to stave off isolation, how rural communities that don’t have access to broadband count on them for emergency messages and school closings, how their reporters cover the local planning board, school board, and other local events that have a big impact on the community. There isn’t money to be made in covering a city council meeting, without public broadcasting, who will tell their story, keep them accountable?

After a lot of ruminating about the topic, I thought about how quickly we sign up to “subscribe” to things to save a little money. We have various streaming services that cost less than $9.99 a month, so we keep them, because it isn’t all that much right? We subscribe to everything for a measly 10% off - seasoning mixes, toilet paper, food delivery services, clothing brands, hobby boxes, the list goes on and on.

So what would happen if switched our “Subscribe and Save” mentality to a “Save and Subscribe” one. Save and subscribe a monthly donation to the organizations that do the things that make your community one you want to live in. Save and subscribe to a group that once saved you or helped you grow into who you are today. Save and subscribe in a different community that may not have the same resources you have. I was once at a panel discussion where a non-profit fundraiser said that if we pledged $10 or $20 a month to organizations that mattered to us, they’d never need to hold a fundraiser again. It was a powerful statement that changed the way I give.

So where did I “Save and Subscribe”? I feel like WAMC has a lot of support our neighboring Congresswoman disgusted me with this post -

So I deleted a duplicate HBO MAX subscription I found on my account and moved that money to NCPR. I cancelled my $19.99 Prime Music subscription and funneled it to the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, an organization I volunteered with for a year after college that absolutely changed my life. I then made a monthly donation to Caring Together, Inc. an ovarian cancer support and advocacy group that I’ve been active in since my diagnosis in 2012. I stepped down from the board this year, but I want to still show my support.

I challenge you to join me by starting small - $5 a month to something important to you . Look through your budget and make the adjustments you can. SAVE and subscribe- make a different one month at a time! Share your “savings” in the comments !