Mild:
* Frugal: This implies careful spending, but can be a positive trait.
* Thrifty: Similar to frugal, but often suggests a focus on saving money.
* Parsimonious: This implies extreme frugality, sometimes to the point of being stingy.
* Penny-pinching: This emphasizes a focus on saving even small amounts of money.
Moderate:
* Stingy: This is a more direct and negative term.
* Cheap: This is a more informal and derogatory term.
* Tightwad: This is a slang term for a stingy person, often used humorously.
Harsh:
* Miserly: This implies an obsession with hoarding money and being unwilling to spend it.
* Scrooge: This refers to the famous fictional character known for his stinginess.
* Niggardly: This is an archaic term for stingy, often used to emphasize the negative aspect.
* Close-fisted: This describes someone who holds on to their money tightly.
The best word to use depends on the context and your desired level of formality and intensity.