Speaking Part 2 · ExperiencesIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Time You Saved Money
In short
“Describe a Time You Saved Money” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a Time You Saved Money. You should say:
- •What you were saving for
- •How you managed to save money
- •How long it took
- •And explain how you felt about saving it
Band 9 model answer
The time I'd like to talk about is when I saved up for a trip to Japan — it was somewhere I'd dreamed of visiting for years, but as a student on a tight budget, it always felt hopelessly out of reach financially, the kind of thing you assume only other people ever get to do.
So one January I decided to get serious about it. I sat down, worked out roughly how much the flights and two weeks of travelling would cost, and set myself a firm target to hit by the following autumn. To keep myself honest, I downloaded one of those budgeting apps and started tracking literally every penny I spent, which was pretty eye-opening — and, frankly, a bit horrifying at first, seeing where the money had actually been going.
The main thing I did was cut back on all the small, mindless spending that adds up without you even noticing. I stopped buying a takeaway coffee every morning, started cooking big batches of food at home instead of eating out, and cancelled a couple of subscriptions I never actually used. None of it felt like a huge sacrifice on its own, but every time I resisted an impulse buy, I'd transfer that money straight into a separate savings account so I physically couldn't touch it.
The most satisfying moment, though, was watching that account slowly grow. I remember the day it finally ticked over my target, about a month early — I actually punched the air in my kitchen like I'd won something. And the trip itself was worth every single penny; standing in the middle of Kyoto knowing I'd paid for the whole thing myself felt so much sweeter than if my parents had just handed me the money. But the real takeaway for me was the habit rather than the holiday. Saving up taught me the difference between what I genuinely want and what I just buy out of boredom, and I've stuck to living a bit more within my means ever since. It gave me a real sense of control over my money that I'd never had before.
So that experience stands out not just because I got my dream trip out of it, but because it completely changed my relationship with money — and honestly, that's turned out to be far more valuable than the holiday itself.
Make it your own: three angles
Saving for a specific goal, like a trip or a gadget
A concrete goal gives your story a clear purpose and a genuinely satisfying payoff.
Cutting down everyday expenses
Very relatable and packed with useful everyday money vocabulary.
Finding a great bargain or deal
A quick, upbeat story that lets you talk about smart, careful spending.
What the examiner is listening for
Give your saving a clear purpose and a payoff, as a goal makes the story easy to structure and satisfying to finish. Lean on money collocations naturally ('cut back on', 'live within your means') rather than forcing them in, and spend most time on the final bullet, reflecting on what saving taught you rather than just listing what you bought.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you try to save money?
- What do you usually spend your money on?
- Did your parents teach you about saving when you were young?
- Do you prefer saving money or spending it?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Why do some people find it so difficult to save money?
I think a big part of it is that spending gives you an immediate reward, whereas saving is all about a future benefit you can't feel yet, so it takes real willpower. On top of that, a lot of everyday spending is habitual and mindless — those small daily purchases add up without you noticing. And of course, for some people wages are simply too low to leave anything spare.
Should schools teach children how to manage money?
Absolutely, I think it's one of the most important life skills there is, yet it's badly neglected. Understanding budgeting, saving and how debt works would save so many young people from serious financial trouble later on. It seems strange that we teach complex algebra but not how to live within your means.
Do you think people spend more money now than they did in the past?
Definitely, I'd say we spend far more, largely because it's become so effortless. With contactless cards and one-click shopping online, you barely register that you're spending real money, which makes impulse buying much easier. Add in constant advertising and social pressure to have the latest things, and it's no wonder people spend more than previous generations did.
What's the best way for young people to learn to save?
I think the most effective approach is learning by doing, ideally with a concrete goal. Saving up for something they really want — a phone, a trip — teaches the value of patience far better than any lecture. Tracking their spending with an app helps enormously too, because seeing where the money actually goes is often a real wake-up call.
Is it always sensible to buy the cheapest option available?
Not at all, and it can actually be a false economy. Cheap products often wear out quickly and need replacing, so you end up spending more in the long run. I'd rather spend a bit more on something well-made that's genuinely worth every penny than keep rebuying a flimsy version — though obviously that assumes you can afford the higher price upfront.
Do you think advertising encourages people to spend too much?
Without question. The whole purpose of advertising is to create desires we didn't previously have and to make us feel we need things in order to be happy or successful. It's incredibly sophisticated now, especially online where ads are targeted so precisely. I try to be conscious of it, but I'd be naive to think it doesn't influence me at all.
How does saving money affect a person's sense of security?
I think it makes an enormous difference to peace of mind. Having a nest egg to fall back on means an unexpected bill or job loss becomes a manageable setback rather than a full-blown crisis. Even a small cushion of savings reduces that constant low-level stress about money, and in my experience that feeling of control is worth more than most of the things you'd otherwise buy.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to cut back on | to reduce the amount you spend on or use of something |
| to make ends meet | to have just enough money to cover your expenses |
| to put money aside | to save money regularly for future use |
| a nest egg | a sum of money saved up for the future |
| to tighten your belt | to spend less because you have less money available |
| to live within your means | to spend no more money than you earn |
| an impulse buy | an unplanned purchase made on a sudden whim |
| to be worth every penny | to be very good value for the money you paid |
| a bargain | something bought for much less than its usual price |
| frugal | careful and economical with money and resources |
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