Crossword Genius

Having little money, they manage to keep afloat! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tramps

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'manage to keep afloat' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'having little money they' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'money' could be 'p' and 'p' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'trams' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tramps that I've seen before include "Walks heavily and firmly" , "Vagrants or hoboes" , "Stumps" , "Become hard or solid" , "Homeless people" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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