Saving money expressions help us talk about being frugal or budgeting. Here are 20 idioms and phrasal verbs related to saving money.

Saving Money Expressions

1. Pinch pennies
   Meaning: Save money wherever possible
   Example: They’ve been pinching pennies for months.
2. Cut back on
   Meaning: Reduce spending on something
   Example: They cut back on dining out.
3. Make ends meet
   Meaning: Earn enough to cover expenses
   Example: She works two jobs to make ends meet.
4. Live within one’s means
   Meaning: Spend only what you can afford
   Example: They always live within their means.
5. Set aside
   Meaning: Reserve or save something for later
   Example: They set aside money for a vacation.
6. Tighten the belt
   Meaning: Reduce spending to save money
   Example: We’ve tightened the belt since January.
7. Nest egg
   Meaning: Savings accumulated for future use
   Example: They’ve built a solid nest egg.
8. Put away
   Meaning: Save or store something for future use
   Example: She puts away 20% of her income.
9. Rainy day fund
   Meaning: Savings for unexpected expenses
   Example: They rely on their rainy day fund.
10. Break the bank
    Meaning: Spend too much money
    Example: That fancy dinner broke the bank.
11. Save for a rainy day
    Meaning: Save money for future problems
    Example: She always saves for a rainy day.
12. Stash away
    Meaning: Secretly save money
    Example: He stashes away cash for emergencies.
13. Be frugal with
    Meaning: Use something carefully to avoid waste
    Example: They’re frugal with grocery shopping.
14. Squirrel away
    Meaning: Hide or save something for later use
    Example: He squirrels away extra income.
15. Count the pennies
    Meaning: Be very careful with money
    Example: They count the pennies when budgeting.
16. Scrimp and save
    Meaning: Save by being thrifty
    Example: They scrimp and save for their wedding.
17. Live on a shoestring
    Meaning: Survive on a very tight budget
    Example: They live on a shoestring budget.
18. Put aside
    Meaning: Save money for a specific purpose
    Example: We put aside money for a house.
19. Be thrifty
    Meaning: Be careful with money
    Example: She is thrifty and doesn’t overspend.
20. Spend wisely
    Meaning: Use money carefully and thoughtfully
    Example: He spends wisely on necessary things.