nickel-and-dime

(verb) spend money frugally; spend as little as possible. Synonyms: penny-pinch.

(verb) accumulate gradually. Example: "She nickeled-and-dimed together a small house for her family."

(adj) of minor importance. Synonyms: small-time. Examples: "A nickel-and-dime operation run out of a single rented room." "A small-time actor."

(adj) low-paying. Synonyms: nickel-and-dime(prenominal). Example: "A nickel-and-dime job."