Lesson 44

Everyday English

Money &Shopping

Spending, saving and bargains · much / many / too much / enough

60 min Money

Your level · You are here

A0/A1Beginner
A1/A2Elementary
A2/B1Pre-Intermediate
B1/B1+Intermediate
B2Upper-Intermediate
C1Advanced
C2Proficiency

Teacher Notes

Get Talking · Section 1

5 min

Start the conversation

discussion

Best bargain

What's the best bargain you've ever found? How did you know it was a good deal?

reflection

Saving up

Are you saving up for anything right now? How's it going?

activity

Worst rip-off

Describe something you bought that turned out to be a total rip-off.

Grammar · Section 2

8–10 min

Quantity: much / many / a lot of / too much / too many / enough / plenty of

Open in Grammar Bank

Quick rule

MUCH = uncountable, MANY = countable. Use 'a lot of' in positives. TOO MUCH/MANY = negative excess. ENOUGH before nouns, after adjectives.

How it works

Choosing the right quantity word depends on whether the noun is COUNTABLE (coins, bills, discounts) or UNCOUNTABLE (money, cash, change).
MUCH goes with uncountable nouns ('How much money do you have?'); MANY goes with countable nouns ('How many bags did you buy?').
Both are most natural in QUESTIONS and NEGATIVES ('I don't have much cash', 'There aren't many discounts left'); in positive statements, 'a lot of' is far more natural than 'much/many' ('I spent a lot of money', not 'I spent much money').
TOO MUCH / TOO MANY show an excessive, negative quantity: 'I spent too much money this month' / 'There are too many adverts.' ENOUGH means a sufficient quantity and comes BEFORE nouns but AFTER adjectives: 'I don't have enough money' (before noun) but 'This bag isn't big enough' (after adjective).
PLENTY OF means more than enough, in a positive, relaxed tone, and works with both countable and uncountable nouns: 'Don't worry, we've got plenty of time' / 'There are plenty of bargains in the sale.'

When to use

MUCH: uncountable nouns, mainly questions/negatives — 'How much money?'
MANY: countable nouns, mainly questions/negatives — 'How many receipts?'
A LOT OF: positive statements, countable or uncountable — 'I saved a lot of money.'
TOO MUCH/TOO MANY: excessive, usually negative in tone — 'too much debt', 'too many bills'.
ENOUGH: sufficient quantity — before a noun, after an adjective.
PLENTY OF: more than enough, relaxed/positive — 'plenty of discounts'.

Enough: before noun vs after adjective

not enough + nounbefore noun

adjective + enoughafter adjective

e.g. I don't have enough money, and this discount isn't big enough anyway.

Compare

Word	Noun type	Typical use	Example
much	uncountable	questions/negatives	not much money
many	countable	questions/negatives	not many coins
a lot of	both	positive statements	a lot of savings
too much / too many	uncountable / countable	excess, negative	too much debt / too many bills
enough	both	sufficiency	enough money / big enough
plenty of	both	more than enough, positive	plenty of bargains

In action

How much did that cost you?

How many bags did you actually need?

I spent a lot of money on the trip.

I've spent too much money this month — I need to be careful.

There were too many people at the sale; I gave up.

I don't have enough cash — can I pay by card?

This jacket isn't cheap enough for me.

Don't worry, there's plenty of time before the shop closes.

Common mistake

Not this

This bag isn't enough cheap for me.

Say this

This bag isn't cheap enough for me.

'Enough' comes AFTER adjectives ('cheap enough') but BEFORE nouns ('enough money'). Mixing the word order is a very common mistake.

Memory tip

MUCH = uncountable moneY, MANY = countable Y items you can count. Enough hugs the word it needs: noun before, adjective after.

Natural English

In everyday spoken English, people rarely say 'I have much money' in positive sentences — it sounds unnatural. Say 'I have a lot of money' or 'I've got loads of money' instead; save 'much' for questions and negatives.

Step 1 — Build the sentences yourself

Conversation Builder

Say it naturally

Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.

1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build

Tap words below to build the sentence…

2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build

Tap words below to build the sentence…

3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build

Tap words below to build the sentence…

4.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.

Step 1 · Build

Tap words below to build the sentence…

Step 2 — Produce the form from memory

Sentence transformation

Say it naturally

There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.

Q1.Which fits: 'I don't have ___ savings right now.'

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Step 3 — Check your choices

Question 1.Which is correct for an uncountable noun in a question?

Question 2.Which sounds most natural in a POSITIVE statement?

Question 3.Which shows excessive, negative quantity?

Question 4.Which uses 'enough' correctly?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Vocabulary · Section 3

5–7 min

Words & phrases to learn

Open in Vocabulary Bank

Afford

have enough money to pay for something

In context

"I can't really afford a new laptop this month."

Now try it yourself

Say one thing you can't currently afford and why.

Save up (for)

put money aside over time for something

In context

"We're saving up for a trip to Portugal."

Now try it yourself

Say what you're saving up for right now.

Bargain

something bought for less than its usual value

In context

"These trainers were an absolute bargain in the sale."

Now try it yourself

Describe a bargain you found recently.

Refund

money given back for a returned item

In context

"The shirt didn't fit, so I asked for a refund."

Now try it yourself

Describe a time you asked for or received a refund.

Receipt

proof of purchase, needed for refunds

In context

"Keep the receipt in case you need to return it."

Now try it yourself

Say why receipts matter when shopping.

Discount

a reduction in price

In context

"Students get a 10% discount at this shop."

Now try it yourself

Name a discount you often get or wish you had.

Rip-off

something unfairly overpriced

In context

"Ten pounds for a coffee is a total rip-off."

Now try it yourself

Name something you think is a rip-off.

Be on a budget

have a limited amount of money to spend

In context

"We're on a tight budget this month, so no eating out."

Now try it yourself

Describe an area of life where you're currently on a budget.

Worth it

good value for the money or effort spent

In context

"The course was expensive, but it was worth it."

Now try it yourself

Say something expensive that was, in your view, worth it.

Split the bill

share the cost between people equally

In context

"Shall we just split the bill evenly?"

Now try it yourself

Say how you usually split the bill with friends.

Loyalty card

a card that gives points or discounts for repeat purchases

In context

"I collect points on my loyalty card at the supermarket."

Now try it yourself

Name a loyalty card or app you use, if any.

Impulse buy

something bought suddenly, without planning

In context

"That jumper was a total impulse buy."

Now try it yourself

Describe your last impulse buy.

Make it yours

Use the new words

Pick at least three words from above and use each one in a sentence about your real life. Say each one aloud before you write.

Quick exchange

Ask your teacher (or a partner) a question that uses one of today's words. They reply using a different word.

Ranking

Rank today's words from most to least useful for you this week. Defend your top choice.

Opinion

Finish: "Honestly, I'd say…" using one of today's words.

Your three personal sentences

Tip: aim to reuse at least two of these words later in the Speaking and Writing tasks.

Categorise

Sort by theme.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Matching

Match each word to its meaning.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Pronunciation · Section 4

3–4 min

Weak forms of 'of' in 'plenty of' and 'a lot of'; stress on the negative in 'too much/many'

'Of' is almost always weak (/əv/) in these phrases: 'plenty of' = /ˈplenti əv/, 'a lot of' = /ə lɒt əv/ — never fully stressed. In 'too much' and 'too many', the stress usually falls on 'too' to emphasise the negative excess: 'That's TOO much money' / 'There are TOO many bills.' 'Enough' is stressed when it follows an adjective to make the contrast clear: 'It's not big eNOUGH.'

• There's PLENty of time.
• I spent a LOT of money.
• That's TOO much for a coffee.
• It's not big eNOUGH.

Reading · Section 5

8–10 min

The psychology of a bargain

Everyone loves a bargain, but the word means something more specific than 'cheap'. A bargain is something bought for noticeably less than its usual value — a jumper reduced from forty pounds to twelve, a flight caught at just the right moment. The satisfaction isn't really about the money saved; it's about the feeling of having beaten the system, even slightly.

This feeling is exactly what retailers rely on. Discounts, loyalty cards and 'limited time' offers are designed to turn ordinary spending into something that feels like winning. The trouble is that a genuine bargain and a clever rip-off can look identical on the receipt. A jacket 'reduced' from an inflated original price isn't really a bargain at all — it's simply priced where it always should have been, with a discount added for psychological effect.

This is where being on a budget becomes a useful discipline rather than a restriction. People who track what they can actually afford are far less likely to fall for an impulse buy dressed up as a deal. The classic advice — wait twenty-four hours before buying anything non-essential — works because it removes the emotional urgency that shops depend on. If something is still worth it the next day, it probably was a genuine bargain. If the excitement has faded, it probably wasn't.

There's also a social side to money that vocabulary alone doesn't capture. Splitting the bill fairly, working out who owes what after a group trip, asking for a refund without feeling awkward — these are everyday skills that matter as much as spotting a discount. Managing money well, in the end, is less about finding bargains and more about knowing exactly what something is actually worth to you.

Step 1 — Read for the overall picture: true or false?

True / False

Decide if each statement is True or False

Q1.The text claims that a discount label always guarantees a genuine bargain.

Q2.The text suggests waiting before buying removes emotional urgency.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Step 2 — Find the evidence and answer

Question 1.According to the text, what is a genuine bargain?

Question 2.What advice does the text give for avoiding impulse buys?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Sentence transformation

Say it naturally

There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.

Q1.Why does the text say a 'reduced' jacket might not really be a bargain? (answer in a few words)

Q2.What does the text suggest is the deeper skill behind managing money well? (answer in a few words)

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Listening · Section 6

8–10 min

Returning a jumper and comparing prices

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Show transcript

Sam:Excuse me, I'd like to return this jumper — it doesn't fit.

Assistant:No problem. Do you have the receipt with you?

Sam:Yes, here it is. Can I get a refund, or is it store credit only?

Assistant:A full refund's fine within thirty days. Was it on discount when you bought it?

Sam:Yes, it was twenty percent off — I thought it was a bargain at the time.

Assistant:That's fine, we'll refund exactly what you paid.

Sam:Thanks. Actually, while I'm here — how much is this jacket?

Assistant:That one's ninety pounds, but it's not on sale, I'm afraid.

Sam:Ninety? That's a total rip-off for a jacket like that.

Assistant:We do have plenty of similar styles in the sale section, if you're on a budget.

Sam:That'd be great, thanks — I don't have too much money left this month.

Assistant:Here you go — this one's forty percent off. It's not quite as many colours, but there's enough choice.

Sam:That's much better. Is it worth trying on before I decide?

Assistant:Definitely — fitting rooms are just there on the left.

Step 1 — Listen and notice the language

Tick what you hear

Tick the money phrases you hear.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Step 2 — Listen again and complete the notes

Question 1.Why does Sam want to return the jumper?

Question 2.How much does the full-price jacket cost?

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Sentence transformation

Say it naturally

There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.

Q1.What can we infer about Sam's financial situation this month? (answer in a few words)

Q2.Why does the assistant suggest the sale section? (answer in a few words)

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Exam tip · Section 7

5 min

Speaking — Cambridge B1 Preliminary Part 2 / IELTS Part 1 (money and shopping topics)

Task

Talk for 90 seconds about your shopping habits and attitude to money. Use at least 6 lesson vocabulary items and 4 quantity words (much/many/a lot of/too much/too many/enough/plenty of).

Strategy

Money topics are common in speaking exams because everyone has an opinion. (1) Give specific examples (a bargain you found, a rip-off you avoided) rather than vague statements. (2) Use quantity words precisely — don't default to 'a lot' for everything; vary with 'plenty of', 'enough', 'too many'. (3) Show balance: mention both saving and spending habits. (4) Use natural connectors ('to be honest', 'the thing is') to sound conversational rather than rehearsed.

Example

To be honest, I'm quite careful with money — I don't have plenty of it to spare, so I always check if there's a discount before I buy anything non-essential. I've made too many impulse buys in the past, so now I try to wait a day before deciding. That said, when something's genuinely worth it, I don't mind spending — a good bargain still makes my day.

Practice · Section 8

8–10 min

Fill in the blank

Step 1 — Retrieve it from memory first

Sentence transformation

Say it naturally

There isn't one "right" answer — write a natural version, then compare with the model.

Q1.Ask how much something cost using 'much'.

Q2.Describe an excessive quantity using 'too many'.

Q3.Use 'enough' correctly with a noun.

Q4.Describe a bargain or rip-off you remember.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Step 2 — Now check your choices

Question 1.How ____ money do you need for the trip?

Question 2.How ____ bags did you bring?

Question 3.I spent ____ money on holiday — more than I planned.

Question 4.There were ____ many people at the sale, so I left.

Question 5.I don't have ____ cash — can I pay by card instead?

Question 6.Don't worry, we've got ____ of time before the shop shuts.

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Writing · Section 9

5 min

Put it in writing

Your task

Write a 130–160 word forum post about your approach to shopping and saving money. Use at least 6 lesson vocabulary items and 4 quantity words (much/many/a lot of/too much/too many/enough/plenty of).

Your answer

Your work saves automatically

0 words

Show model answer

I used to spend far too much money on impulse buys — clothes I never wore, gadgets I didn't need. These days I try to be more careful. I'm currently saving up for a trip next year, so I've put myself on a strict budget. Before I buy anything over twenty pounds, I ask myself if it's really worth it. I don't have plenty of spare cash, so I can't afford to waste it on things that turn out to be a rip-off. That said, I still love a good bargain — last week I found a jacket with a forty percent discount, kept the receipt just in case, and I'm genuinely happy with it. When I go out with friends, we always split the bill evenly, which avoids any awkward conversations about who ordered what.

Speaking · Section 10

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open in Useful Expressions

Role-play a shop return or a group dinner where you split the bill. Use at least 5 lesson vocabulary items and 4 quantity words naturally in the conversation.

Useful phrases

• Can I get a refund, please?
• Do you have the receipt?
• That's a total rip-off.
• Shall we just split the bill?
• I don't have enough…
• There's plenty of…

Speaking reflection & notes

Your work saves automatically

0 words

Dialogue completion

Choose the most natural response.

AI'd like to return this — it doesn't fit.
B_______________
AHow much is the full-price version?
B_______________
AThat's still a bit expensive for me right now.
B_______________

Answer all items, then check — or reveal the answers if you're stuck.

Homework · Section 11

Take-home

Take it home

writing

Track your spending for two days and write 5 sentences using much/many/too much/too many/enough.

speaking

Record yourself for 60 seconds describing the best bargain and worst rip-off you've experienced.

reading

Find a shop's return policy online and summarise it in 3 sentences using lesson vocabulary.

Homework notes

Your work saves automatically

0 words

Recap · Section 12

2–3 min

What you've learned

MUCH (uncountable) and MANY (countable) work best in questions and negatives.
In positive statements, 'a lot of' sounds more natural than 'much/many'.
TOO MUCH/TOO MANY show an excessive, usually negative, quantity.
ENOUGH goes before nouns ('enough money') but after adjectives ('cheap enough').
PLENTY OF means more than enough, in a relaxed, positive tone.
Key vocabulary: afford, save up, bargain, refund, receipt, discount, rip-off, on a budget, worth it, split the bill.

Extra Practice

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