Bug short guys only, making credit last on poor allowance (13)

I believe the answer is:

maladjustment

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'bug short guys only making credit last' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'poor allowance' is the wordplay.
'poor' becomes 'mal' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'allowance' becomes 'adjustment' (synonyms).
'mal'+'adjustment'='MALADJUSTMENT'

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maladjustment that I've seen before include "Disturbance, alienation" , "Alienation from one's environment" , "Psychological inability to fit in" , "Inability to cope with a normal environment" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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