hard-earned

having taken a lot of energy and effort to get

Example Sentences:

I’m not going to waste my hard-earned money on a birthday party for our dog.

A: Congratulations on your success!
B: Thanks! I now have a Masters Degree!
A: It was hard-earned, that’s for sure!

Media and Links:

To save your hard-earned money

Similar idioms:

1. a penny saved is a penny earned
2. work like a dog
3. hard up
4. fall on hard times
5. save face
6. bust one’s ass
7. fall on hard times