WAT 5

LESSON 5 — MONEY, FINANCES & PLANS 💵

Level: A2+ | Goal: Talk about money, personal plans and a possible programme in a balanced, thoughtful way — not only about earning money.

Today's mission

Imagine you are preparing for a trip to the USA. You need to plan your budget, explain your financial situation and tell a story about a time when something unexpected happened.

By the end, you will be able to:

• Use Past Simple and Past Continuous correctly.
• Talk about expenses, saving and financial support.
• Explain what you will do with your money.
• Make a realistic budget and discuss unexpected costs.

1. Warm-up — Money choices 🤔

Choose an answer. There are no wrong answers here — think about your reasons.

1. You receive $100. What would you do?

Save all of it. Spend some and save some. Spend it on something fun.

2. What is more important when you travel?

Having enough emergency money. Having money for entertainment. Finding the cheapest option every time.

3. What would you do if your expenses were higher than expected?

Check my budget and change my plans. Ask someone for advice. I am not sure yet.

Useful phrases for discussing your choices

I would probably…

I think it is important to…

It depends on…

I would try to…

2. Vocabulary — Money and finances 📚

Read the words and examples. Then complete the vocabulary tests below.

earn money/ɜːn ˈmʌni/ — заробляти грошіI want to earn some money.

save money/seɪv ˈmʌni/ — заощаджуватиI want to save money for my studies.

spend money/spend ˈmʌni/ — витрачати грошіI try not to spend too much money.

budget/ˈbʌdʒɪt/ — бюджетI have prepared a budget.

living expenses/ˈlɪvɪŋ ɪkˌspensɪz/ — витрати на проживанняI have calculated my living expenses.

accommodation/əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən/ — житлоMy accommodation is provided by the employer.

rent/rent/ — орендаI have to pay rent.

afford/əˈfɔːd/ — дозволити собіI can't afford an expensive hotel.

cost of living/kɒst əv ˈlɪvɪŋ/ — вартість життяThe cost of living is different in each city.

expenses/ɪkˈspensɪz/ — витратиI have calculated my expenses.

financial support/faɪˈnænʃəl səˈpɔːt/ — фінансова підтримкаMy family can provide financial support.

emergency money/ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi ˈmʌni/ — гроші на екстрені випадкиI will have emergency money.

bank account/bæŋk əˈkaʊnt/ — банківський рахунокI have a bank account.

debit card/ˈdebɪt kɑːd/ — дебетова карткаI will use my debit card.

exchange rate/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ reɪt/ — курс обмінуThe exchange rate changes.

3. Vocabulary Test A — Choose the correct word

1. I want to ______ money for my studies.

save rent afford

2. I need to pay for my ______ every month.

exchange rate living expenses debit card

3. I don't have enough money to buy it. I can't ______ it.

afford save earn

4. A plan for how you will use your money is a ______.

budget rent bank account

5. Money you keep for an unexpected problem is ______.

entertainment money emergency money exchange money

6. The price of one currency in another currency is the ______.

cost of living exchange rate accommodation

4. Grammar — Past Simple vs Past Continuous ⏳

Past Simple

Use the Past Simple for a completed action in the past. It often tells us what happened next.

Form: subject + past verb
I saved $200 last month.
She paid the rent yesterday.
We didn't spend all our money.

Questions: Did you save money? / How much did you spend?

Past Continuous

Use the Past Continuous for an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past. It often gives background information.

Form: was / were + verb-ing
I was checking my budget at 8 p.m.
They were looking for an affordable hotel.
She wasn't working that evening.

Questions: Were you working? / What were you doing?

When they work together

I was buying groceries when I lost my debit card.
While we were travelling, our exchange rate changed.
She was checking her account when the bank sent a message.

Remember: the longer action is often Past Continuous; the shorter event that interrupts it is often Past Simple.

5. Grammar Test A — Past Simple or Past Continuous?

1. At 9 p.m. yesterday, I ______ my budget.

Choose… checked was checking were checking

2. I ______ my debit card while I was shopping.

Choose… was losing lost were losing

3. They ______ for accommodation when I called.

Choose… looked were looking was looking

4. We ______ $50 on food last weekend.

Choose… spend were spending spent

5. While she ______, the exchange rate changed.

Choose… was travelling travelled were travelling

6. My parents ______ me when I was planning my trip.

Choose… was helping helped were helping

6. Grammar Test B — Complete the sentences

Type the correct Past Simple or Past Continuous form of the verb in brackets.

1. I ______ (save) money when my phone ______ (break).

2. She ______ (pay) the rent yesterday.

3. We ______ (not / spend) much money last week.

4. At that moment, he ______ (check) his bank account.

5. While they ______ (travel), they ______ (find) a cheap café.

6. What ______ you ______ (do) when the bank ______ (call)?

Need a hint?

Think about the difference between an action in progress and a completed event. In sentence 1, saving was in progress when the phone broke.

7. Grammar Test C — Find the mistake 🔎

Each sentence has one grammar mistake. Rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. I were saving money last month.

2. She was paid the rent when I called.

3. Did you spent all your money?

4. They was checking their budget.

Show possible answers

1. I was saving money last month.
2. She was paying the rent when I called. (Or: She paid the rent when I called.)
3. Did you spend all your money?
4. They were checking their budget.

8. Reading — The Unexpected Expense 📖

Last summer, Olena was preparing for a three-month programme in the USA. She wanted to become more independent and improve her English. Earning money was one possible benefit, but she was also excited about meeting new people, exploring a different culture and learning to manage her own responsibilities.

Two weeks before her trip, Olena prepared a budget. She planned to spend $500 on accommodation, $250 on food, $150 on transport and $100 on entertainment. She also kept $300 as emergency money. Her family offered some financial support, but Olena wanted to pay for many of her own expenses.

One evening, while she was checking her bank account, she noticed a problem. Her debit card was not working. She was trying to pay for her travel insurance when the payment failed. She called the bank and discovered that her card had expired. She was worried because she was leaving soon.

The next morning, she visited the bank. While she was waiting, she was looking at her budget and thinking about what she could change. The bank gave her a new card, but the replacement took several days to arrive. Olena decided to use a little of her emergency money and ask her family for temporary help.

When she finally arrived in the USA, she did not spend money on every activity. She cooked some meals, walked when the distance was short and chose free events in the city. She still enjoyed her trip. In fact, she learned that a good financial plan was not about avoiding every expense. It was about making choices and being ready when something unexpected happened.

9. Reading Test — Check your understanding

1. Why was Olena going to the USA?

Only to earn money. To improve her English and experience a new culture. To open a bank account.

2. What was Olena doing when she noticed the problem?

She was checking her bank account. She was cooking dinner. She was travelling to the airport.

3. What was the problem with her debit card?

She lost it in the city. It had expired. She forgot her PIN.

4. How did Olena manage her expenses in the USA?

She stopped doing anything fun. She cooked, walked short distances and chose free events. She spent all her emergency money immediately.

5. What is the main message of the story?

A budget helps you plan and respond to unexpected problems. You should never travel abroad. You should spend all your money before a trip.

10. Vocabulary Test B — Match the meaning

Choose the correct English phrase for each Ukrainian meaning.

1. дозволити собі

Choose… afford earn money rent

2. житло

Choose… budget accommodation expenses

3. фінансова підтримка

Choose… financial support emergency money cost of living

4. дебетова картка

Choose… bank account debit card exchange rate

5. витрачати гроші

Choose… save money spend money earn money

11. Speaking — Build a Budget 💰

Situation: You have $1,500 before going to the USA. Explain how you plan to use it.

Your budget must include all six categories:

• Accommodation
• Food
• Transport
• Emergency money
• Travel
• Entertainment

Important: Your amounts must add up to exactly $1,500. You can choose your own amounts.

Accommodation ($) Food ($) Transport ($) Emergency money ($) Travel ($) Entertainment ($)

Now explain your choices

Complete the sentences. Then read them aloud.

I plan to spend… I want to save… I don't want to spend too much on… If necessary, I can…

Example answer — open after you try

I have $1,500 before my trip. I plan to spend $500 on accommodation and $250 on food. I expect to spend $150 on transport. I want to keep $300 as emergency money. I will use $200 for travel and $100 for entertainment. I don't want to spend too much on restaurants. If necessary, I can ask my family for help.

12. Interview practice — Your financial plans 🎤

Answer these questions in full sentences. Try to include at least one Past Simple or Past Continuous sentence when talking about past experiences.

1. Who will pay for your trip?
2. Who is financing your programme?
3. Do you have enough money for your trip?
4. Have you prepared a budget?
5. How much money will you need?
6. Where will you live?
7. How much will your accommodation cost?
8. What will you spend money on?
9. Do you plan to save money?
10. What will you do with the money you earn?
11. Will your parents support you financially?
12. Do you have emergency money?
13. How will you pay for your expenses?
14. What will you do if your expenses are higher than expected?

Write a few of your answers here:

13. Final Challenge — The Budget Surprise 🎯

Story prompt: Yesterday, you were preparing your budget for the USA. While you were checking your bank account, you discovered that your accommodation was more expensive than you expected.

Write a short story of 6–8 sentences. Include:

• At least 3 Past Simple verbs.
• At least 2 Past Continuous forms.
• At least 5 money vocabulary words.
• What happened and how you solved the problem.

Example story

Yesterday, I was checking my budget when I noticed a problem. My accommodation cost more than I expected. I was looking at my expenses when my friend called. We discussed the cost of living and found a cheaper place. I saved some money and kept my emergency money. I felt much better because I had a new plan.

14. Homework 📝

Write a dialogue between you and a friend about preparing for a trip to the USA.

Your dialogue should include:

• At least 8 lines.
• At least 5 vocabulary phrases from this lesson.
• At least 2 Past Simple sentences.
• At least 2 Past Continuous sentences.
• A discussion about your budget and an unexpected expense.
• A plan for what to do next.

Lesson progress

Mark the skills you have practised:

I can use money vocabulary. I can tell the difference between Past Simple and Past Continuous. I can make a budget. I can explain what I would do if an expense increased.

0 of 4 skills completed