After her 2008 campaign spent $233.2 million without even making it to the general election, Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign team has reportedly cut back on extra expenses - including work phones, Amtrak tickets, and private flights.
According to an article published on Tuesday, all Clinton campaign staff have been instructed by manager Robby Mook to use their personal phones and to take buses to and from Washington, D.C. and New York.
"The edicts came from campaign manager Robby Mook, who proudly tells staffers and donors alike that he is 'really, really cheap.' Like second-hand furniture and no-cab-rides cheap," writes Washington Post.
Those same rules apply to Mrs. Clinton's number two, John Podesta.
The most senior Clinton staffer, Podesta is at the center of the Washington Post's feature on the cash being spent by the campaign. He told the newspaper that the money-saving efforts have "already built spirit" among the younger staff.
"It's already built spirit," Podesta said. "It's a young person's operation."
Here's a picture of Mr. Podesta riding in a Vamoose bus, just like "everyday Americans."
Another way that Hillary Clinton saved money before announcing her official bid was by simply not paying her staff. One of her campaign spokesmen Nick Merrill explained that several people volunteered their services.
"Like anyone considering running for office, she has the support of many individuals who have agreed to volunteer their time to help her make this decision," Merrill told BuzzFeed back in March.
Whether that has changed now that her campaign has been made official has yet to be determined seeing as though the Clinton campaign has declined to release figures about office expenditures ahead of its quarterly financial report due July 15, reports Washington Post.
The campaign likely hopes that Clinton riding commercial, "albeit in first class," will help change the narrative that her life is far from ordinary as a former first lady, U.S. senator, and secretary of state who charges thousands in fees for speeches and appearances.
"This time, Clinton is running as a warrior for the middle class and trying to dispel the image of privilege acquired as first lady, senator and secretary of state," writes Washington Post.
"Clinton is flying commercial most of the time, albeit in first class, and she's been spotted on Amtrak. She alone may be exempt from Mook’s bus rule, although she is said to like riding in a Secret Service van that is no more luxurious."