Final answer:
To fill the blank, use a transitional phrase that suggests a shift to a financial strategy, such as 'With that being said,' 'On this note,' or 'Consequently.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The blank in the sentence should be filled with a phrase that smoothly transitions to the suggestion of impacting someone financially. Considering the context provided, we are looking for a succinct phrase that underlines a shift in strategy to a more economical approach. The ideal phrase to use here is not explicit in the given excerpts, but a commonly used transitional phrase like 'With that being said,' 'On this note,' or 'Consequently,' would fit well to signal the proposed change in tactic.