SCRIMP

[verb] [I] - to save money by spending less than is necessary to reach an acceptable standardWhen we were first married, we had to scrimp (on food and clothes), so now we're really enjoying having some money.There is a risk that the debt-ridden airline that may be tempted to scrimp on maintenance or security. [I]If you scrimp and save, you manage to live on very little money in order to pay for something.I've been scrimping and saving all year for our holiday, and now you've wasted it all on that stupid old car!