Mean to be a bit painful (6)
I believe the answer is:
stingy
I believe this is a double definition.
'mean' is the first definition.
(both can mean miserly)
'a bit painful' is the second definition.
(sting can mean a pain)
'to be' is the link.
(Other definitions for stingy that I've seen before include "Parsimonious like nettle?" , "Tight with money" , "reluctant to spend money" , "Painful" , "Mean, niggardly" .)