tightened belt

• buckledFailed under stress
• cinchedFastened or guaranteed
• fastenedJoined or held together
• frugalSparing with resources
• austerityEnforced economic stringency

budget · savings · economize · thrifty · leather · waist · notch · snug · squeezed · cutbacks · sacrifice · lean · strap · hunger · restraint · pinched · scrimping · waistline