When you need this

People talk about money at home more than anywhere else: with a partner, a roommate splitting the bills, or a friend who's saving for a trip. The language is practical. You set a budget, pay the bills, cut back on something, and try to put a little aside.

English speakers are often a bit indirect about money, especially outside the family. "I can't afford it" is honest but blunt; "It's not in the budget this month" says the same thing more softly. With a roommate, though, be clear about numbers and dates. Vague money talk causes more arguments than money itself.

Phrases

plan how much you'll spend on each thing

spend only what you planned

regular payments for rent, electricity, phone and so on

share a cost between people

spend less on something

small costs become a big amount over time

save some money for later

don't have enough money for something

a softer way to say you can't pay for it

return money you borrowed

you have less money than you need right now

record something so you know where it goes

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.