EnglishShopping and money words
- budget [/ˈbʌdʒɪt/]
- a plan for how to use your money
My monthly budget includes food and transport. - afford [/əˈfɔːd/]
- have enough money to pay for something
I can’t afford a new laptop this month. - save [/seɪv/]
- keep money for a future purpose
She saves money for holidays. - spend [/spend/]
- use money to buy something
He spends too much on delivery food. - price [/praɪs/]
- the amount of money something costs
Compare prices before you make a purchase. - receipt [/rɪˈsiːt/]
- a paper or digital record of something you bought
Keep the receipt in case you need to return it. - change [/tʃeɪndʒ/]
- money returned after you pay with more cash than necessary
Here is your change: two pounds. - cash [/kæʃ/]
- money in coins and notes
I usually carry a little cash. - credit card [/ˈkredɪt kɑːd/]
- a card used to buy now and pay later
Can I pay by credit card? - discount [/ˈdɪskaʊnt/]
- a reduction in the usual price
These shoes are available at a 20% discount. - bargain [/ˈbɑːɡɪn/]
- something sold at a very good price
This jacket was a real bargain. - purchase [/ˈpɜːtʃəs/]
- something you buy; the act of buying something
This was my biggest purchase this year.
Say and personalise:
I have a little money saved, but I can’t afford a new laptop.
Choosing the right amount or option
Use | With | Example |
|---|---|---|
a few / many | countable plural nouns | a few coins; many receipts |
a little / much | uncountable nouns | a little cash; much time |
plenty of | both types of nouns | plenty of discounts; plenty of money |
both…and | addition | Both cash and cards are accepted. |
either…or | a choice | Pay either by cash or by card. |
neither…nor | two negative choices | Neither option is cheap. |
Choose the best phrase
- I only need [___] coins for the bus.
- There aren’t [___] cheap laptops in this shop.
- We have [___] time to compare prices before it closes.
- How [___] receipts do you keep each month?
Complete the shopping sentences
- [___] Anna and Leo compare prices online and in shops.
- You can pay [___] by cash or by card.
- [___] the red jacket nor the blue one is in my budget.
- [___] my parents and I save money for holidays.
Budget advice for young people
Starting your first job or college course can make money disappear quickly. First, save a little from every payment, even if you earn only a small amount. Keep this money in a separate account for emergencies, travel, or a future course. Do not spend much on daily coffees, delivery food, or new clothes that you do not need. Compare prices online and in shops before you buy; either option may have a better discount. Make a weekly budget for transport, food, and fun, and keep your receipts. You can also share subscriptions with a family member, but check the rules first. Finally, wait 24 hours before buying expensive items. This simple pause prevents many impulse purchases and leaves plenty of money for important plans.
- What does the writer say to save money for?
- What should young people not spend much money on?
- Name three practical money-management tips from the text.
Difficult words
- separate account — a bank account used for one specific purpose
- emergencies — unexpected difficult situations that need money
- delivery food — food brought to your home
- subscriptions — regular payments for a service, app, or website
- impulse purchases — things bought suddenly, without planning
- prevents — stops something from happening
- weekly budget — a money plan for one week
A message with money-saving tips
Write a short message to a friend with five money-saving tips. Write 40–80 words.
Use at least four of these: a few, a little, plenty of, hardly any, a lot of, much, many, both…and, either…or, neither…nor.
Useful phrases:
- Don’t spend too much on …
- Save a little every month …
- Compare prices before …
- Buy only a few …
- There are plenty of …
- Choose either … or …
- Both … and … can help you save money.
- Neither … nor … is necessary.
Check before you finish:
- Use quantifiers accurately with countable and uncountable nouns.
- Include shopping and money words.
- Give five clear tips.
