Close to being miserly (4)
I believe the answer is:
near
This clue is a double definition.
'close to' is the first definition.
(close to means nearby)
'miserly' is the second definition.
(both can mean reluctant to spend money)
'being' is the link.
(Other definitions for near that I've seen before include "Nigh" , "Close - tight" , "Close; parsimonious" , "Miserly; approach" , "Easy to reach - hard to touch!" .)