count the pennies

Related to count the pennies: count your pennies

count (one's)/the pennies

To be careful with one's money; to adhere to a strict budget. Can we go out to dinner next week instead? I'm just counting my pennies right now.
See also: count, penny
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

count the (or your) pennies

be careful about how much you spend.
Variants of this expression are watch the pennies and, in the USA, pinch the pennies .
See also: count, penny
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • count (one's)/the pennies
  • loosen the purse strings
  • to (one's) way of thinking
  • to my, your, etc. way of thinking
  • to way of thinking
  • (one's) day in court
  • (one's) two pennies (worth)
  • (from) top to toe
  • not have two pennies to rub together
  • (one's) bearings
References in periodicals archive
But when you're living with a top Premiership footballer, you don't count the pennies.
POOCHY COUTURE; Coleen's pup gets a whole Roo image
Nursery nurse Margaret O'Grady, 58, of Glasgow, said: 'It would be good to have enough money to relax about my finances and not count the pennies.'
NURSERY SHAMBLES; Childcare chaos for parents
But if there is a backlash and a walk-out at the end of the campaign then those who count the pennies at Goodison Park will have much to answer for.
Football: BIG DUNC OFFERS LITTLE
BRITONS are so keen to count the pennies that a quarter know their bank balance - to the exact amount.
We're figuring it out
Barclaycard's Ian Barber said last night: "It's great to see when it comes to friends and family we don't feel the need to count the pennies."
Brits buy pounds 24bn of presents
"The priority is to count the pennies rather than look after patients."
Fat-cats cost the NHS pounds 274m