IELTS Vocabulary for Money and Shopping
Money and shopping questions appear in Part 1 through everyday habits, in Part 2 cue cards such as describing a special gift or something you own that you want to replace, and in Part 3 through broader discussion of spending habits, advertising, and saving. The same vocabulary carries over well into Writing Task 2 essays about consumerism or personal finance.
For Lexical Resource, examiners notice whether a candidate can move past “expensive” and “cheap” toward more specific collocations such as “a good deal,” “disposable income,” or “spend money on impulse,” and whether an idiom like “break the bank” or “a false economy” is used correctly rather than just inserted for effect. Precision about the type of spending or saving behaviour matters more than reaching for a rare word.
The most common mistakes are overusing “expensive” and “cheap” for every situation instead of varying the description, translating a saving or spending idiom directly from another language so it comes out slightly wrong, and using a dramatic idiom about money that does not quite fit the small, everyday example being described.
Where this topic comes up
- Part 1Warm-up questions about your own life — “Do you enjoy shopping?”, and four more below.
- Part 2A two-minute turn on a card such as Describe a gift you received that was special to you, Describe something you own that you want to replace.
- Part 3The abstract follow-ups, where precision counts most — “Do you think people spend too much money on things they don't need?”.
- Writing Task 2Essay questions on money and shopping reward exactly the same phrases — a collocation you can say is one you can write.
Instead of… say…
Same idea, sharper words. The left column is what most candidates reach for first; the right is what an examiner hears as precise.
| Instead of | Say |
|---|---|
| it was cheap | it was a bargainsounds like something people actually say |
| I don't have much money | I'm a bit short on cashnatural, informal phrase instead of a flat statement |
| I bought it | I splashed out on itidiom that shows the purchase felt significant |
| save money | put money asidemore natural phrasal alternative to a plain verb |
| it cost too much | it was overpricedsingle precise word instead of a wordy phrase |
| buy things you don't need | spend money on impulsenames the actual behaviour, not just the result |
| get money back | get a refundexact, specific term instead of a vague description |
| think carefully before buying something | weigh up whether it's worth itnatural idiom for the same idea |
Phrases by band
Each phrase comes with what it means and one sentence you could actually say. Learn the sentence, not the word on its own.
Band 6 essentials
Clear, correct, common. These carry a whole answer without sounding rehearsed.
-
spend money
collocationto use money to pay for something
I try not to spend money on things I don't really need.
-
save money
collocationto keep money instead of spending it
I've been trying to save money for a trip next year.
-
go shopping
collocationto visit shops in order to buy things
I usually go shopping at the weekend with my sister.
-
a good deal
collocationan arrangement that offers good value for money
I found a good deal on a laptop last month.
-
pay in cash
collocationto pay using physical money rather than a card
I prefer to pay in cash for small everyday purchases.
-
an online store
collocationa shop that operates through a website
I bought my shoes from an online store last week.
-
get a discount
collocationto pay a reduced amount for something
Students can often get a discount if they show their student card.
-
a shopping list
collocationa written list of things to buy
I always make a shopping list before I go to the supermarket.
-
an expensive item
collocationsomething that costs a lot of money
A new phone is usually an expensive item to replace.
-
return an item
collocationto bring back a purchased product to the shop
I had to return an item because it didn't fit properly.
Band 7 collocations
Words that belong together. This is where lexical resource starts to separate a 6 from a 7.
-
a bargain
wordsomething bought for less than its usual value
I found a bargain in the sale last weekend.
-
short on cash
idiomnot having much money available at the moment
I was a bit short on cash at the end of that month.
-
splash out on something
phrasal verbto spend a lot of money on something enjoyable
I decided to splash out on something nice for my birthday.
-
put money aside
phrasal verbto save part of your money for future use
I try to put money aside every month, even a small amount.
-
overpriced
wordpriced higher than something is actually worth
That restaurant was nice, but it felt slightly overpriced.
-
spend money on impulse
collocationto buy something without planning or thinking first
I try not to spend money on impulse when I'm bored.
-
get a refund
collocationto get your money back for a returned product
I managed to get a refund after the item arrived broken.
-
weigh up whether it's worth it
idiomto carefully consider if something deserves the money or effort
I always weigh up whether it's worth it before a big purchase.
-
live within your means
idiomto spend no more money than you earn
It's not always easy to live within your means when costs keep rising.
-
a rip-off
idiomsomething that costs far more than it should
Paying that much for parking felt like a rip-off.
-
tighten your belt
idiomto spend less money than before
When money's tight, you often have to tighten your belt somewhere.
-
a false economy
idioma way of saving money that actually costs more later
Buying the cheapest option was a false economy in the end.
Band 8 precision
Precise, and often idiomatic. Use one where it genuinely fits, never as decoration.
-
money doesn't grow on trees
idiommoney is limited and must be earned with effort
My grandmother always reminded us that money doesn't grow on trees.
-
burn a hole in your pocket
idiomto make someone want to spend money quickly
That bonus felt like it would burn a hole in your pocket.
-
break the bank
idiomto cost more money than someone can reasonably afford
The trip was lovely, but it definitely didn't break the bank.
-
disposable income
collocationmoney left over after essential costs are paid
Young professionals often have more disposable income than families with children.
-
a status symbol
collocationsomething owned mainly to show wealth or success
For some people, that car is really just a status symbol.
-
penny-pinching
wordexcessively careful or reluctant about spending money
My uncle has a reputation for being a bit penny-pinching.
-
retail therapy
idiomshopping done to improve someone's mood
After a stressful week, a little retail therapy always helps.
-
keep up with the Joneses
idiomto try to match the possessions or lifestyle of others
Buying things just to keep up with the Joneses rarely makes anyone happier.
Test yourself
8 sentences from the examples above, with the phrase taken out. Pick the phrase that belongs in the gap — press 1–4 or tap.
Question 1 of 8
Practise this with instant AI feedback
Record your answer in the app and get your grammar, vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation analysed in seconds.
Practise it out loud
A phrase you have only read is not yet yours. Answer these aloud and count how many of the phrases above you actually reach for.
Part 1 questions
- Do you enjoy shopping?
- Do you prefer shopping online or in physical shops?
- What was the last thing you bought?
- Do you save money regularly?
- Are you the kind of person who plans purchases carefully?
Part 3 questions
- Do you think people spend too much money on things they don't need?
- Has online shopping changed the way people manage money?
- Should schools teach children how to manage money?
- Do you think advertising encourages people to spend more than they should?
- Is it better to save money or invest it?
Frequently asked questions
Is it wrong to use everyday words like "expensive" instead of idioms?
No, clear and accurate everyday words are necessary, and idioms like "break the bank" add range but don't replace basic accuracy.
Will using idioms about money automatically raise my score?
No, an idiom used incorrectly or out of context can lower Lexical Resource rather than raise it, so accuracy matters more than quantity.
How many advanced phrases should I aim to use in one answer?
A couple used naturally and correctly is usually more effective than forcing several into a single response.
More topics
Education and studying
Education and studying vocabulary for IELTS Speaking - Band 6 essentials, Band 7 collocations, and Band 8 phrases examiners tend to credit as precise.
Family and relationships
IELTS vocabulary for family and relationships, with Band 6, 7 and 8 phrases, upgrade pairs, and spoken examples for Part 1, 2 and 3.
Food and cooking
Food and cooking vocabulary for IELTS Speaking - Band 6 essentials, Band 7 collocations, and Band 8 phrases examiners tend to credit as precise.