nickel-and-dime

Verb

• accumulate gradually
  • she nickeled-and-dimed together a small house for her family
    

• spend money frugally; spend as little as possible

Adjective

• low-paying
  • a nickel-and-dime job
    

• of minor importance
  • a nickel-and-dime operation run out of a single rented room
    
  • a small-time actor
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  penny-pinch , nickel-and-dime(a) , small-time