To be tightfisted means that you hold on to your money. You're cheap.

When Mark called Joe tightfisted, Joe knew that Mark too, believed that he was cheap with his spending.

Crotchety and miserable Scrooge was rich but tightfisted. He eventually

learned the connection between well being and generosity.

Tightfisted generally has a negative connotation as it implies being unwilling to spend money or resources. It can suggest stinginess or greed.

Less negative synonyms are frugal, thrifty, or pennywise.

Other negative connotations are in penurious, miserly, tightfisted, and ungenerous.