Buddy, very good about money (5)

I believe the answer is:

holly

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'buddy very' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'good about money' is the wordplay.
'good' becomes 'holy'.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'money' becomes 'l' (L can mean 'pounds').
'holy' going around 'l' is 'HOLLY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for holly that I've seen before include "It has red berries and glossy leaves with prickles" , "Ilex -- popular at Christmas" , "Ilex is its genus" , "Prickly shrub" , "Festive berry" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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