on a small/tight/shoestring budget

phrase

: involving a relatively small amount of money for planned spending

She started her business on a small/tight/shoestring budget and could not afford to overspend.

Examples of on a small/tight/shoestring budget in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Produced on a shoestring budget with effects that were laughable even at the time, the original BBC series nevertheless ran for an astonishing 26 seasons before an ongoing revival began in 2005. — David Faris, TheWeek, 18 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, the department was operating on a shoestring budget, employees complained, repeatedly requesting funds from Hanceville’s city council. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

Vahid Alvandifar’s narrative feature debut, made on a shoestring budget, touches on big themes with gorgeous Iranian scenery as the backdrop. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026

According to real estate broker Michelle Mumoli, investing in a true fixer upper isn't worth it for inexperienced buyers on a small budget. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 1 Jan. 2026