pinch pennies

pinch pennies  {v. phr.},  {informal}

Not spend a penny more than necessary; be very saving or thrifty.

When Tom and Mary were saving money to buy a house, they had to pinch pennies.

- penny-pincher  {n.},  {informal}

A stingy or selfish person; miser.

He spent so little money that he began to get the name of a penny-pincher.

- penny-pinching  {adj.} or  {n.},  {informal}