It's not just the money. It's the message.

Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk's first move in what she has called an era of fiscal "austerity" - saving the city $1,430 by reducing an ammunition purchase by the Police Department - doesn't look like much. It is far less than small change when it comes to the entire $75 million budget. It doesn't even come close to a penny on the dollar.

But that is beside the point. The point is to think, and think differently, about every expenditure. The point is to think seriously about whether it is possible to do the job with less. In this case, the police can conduct their firearms training effectively with less ammo.

And it is a very good thing for the mayor to send the message that city department heads must think that way about everything, not just the big-ticket items. A thousand dollars here and there won't change the city's financial fortunes. But multiply that throughout the maze of line items that make up the city and school budgets, and some significant savings may result.

Austerity is not easy. It is not fun to pinch pennies, especially when it doesn't seem to make much difference, or when it looks like another department isn't doing its share. Indeed, Mayor Kirk must demonstrate that the austerity mandate extends to every department in the city if it is going to work.

But the collective effort to be thrifty can play a major role in stabilizing the city's finances, which is something it desperately needs. It will make life, and public services in Gloucester, better for everyone.

Short-term pain can lead to long-term gain. Every employee, and resident, of Gloucester should support it.