Running low before payday B1
When the money's nearly gone and you're scraping through.
go through B2 — use all of somethingA: Where did all the snacks go?
B: The kids went through them during the movie.
make ends meet — have just enough moneyIt's a struggle to make ends meet at the moment. (neutral)
We're just scraping by, honestly. (casual)
cut costs — reduce spendingA: Why did you start cooking at home more often?
B: I wanted to cut costs and eat healthier at the same time.
Where did it all go?
A: I've gone through my whole wage and it's only the 20th.
B: Tell me about it. I'm barely managing to make ends meet this month.
A: It's the bills, innit. They just keep creeping up.
B: Beans on toast till Friday, then.
Tightening the belt
A: We're going to have to cut costs a bit this month, love.
B: Fair enough. We could knock the takeaways on the head for a start.
A: And I'll start taking a packed lunch in to work.
B: There we go. It all adds up.