Why US Workers Are Struggling to Save Money
BUSINESS
11/2/2026
Warm-up
What do you usually spend most of your money on?
How important is it to save money every month?
What would you do if you suddenly had an unexpected expense?
Vocabulary
Essential (A1–B1)
- Cover – to provide enough money to pay for something.
Example: I need to earn enough to cover my monthly bills.
- Expense – something that you need to spend money on.
Example: Rent is my biggest monthly expense.
- Withdraw – to take money out of a bank account.
Example: I had to withdraw some money to pay for my car repairs.
- Account – an arrangement with a bank where your money is kept.
Example: I transfer part of my salary into my savings account.
- Wage – the money someone regularly earns from their job.
Example: Workers on an hourly wage may receive different amounts each month.
- Set aside – to save money for a particular purpose.
Example: I set aside €100 every month for emergencies.
Developed (B2–C2)
- Cost of living – the amount of money needed for basic everyday expenses.
Example: The rising cost of living has made it harder for families to save.
- Financial cushion – money saved to protect yourself against unexpected costs.
Example: Having a financial cushion can reduce stress when unexpected bills arrive.
- Living paycheck to paycheck – spending nearly all your income before receiving your next payment.
Example: Many workers are living paycheck to paycheck despite having full-time jobs.
- Disposable income – money left after paying taxes and essential expenses.
Example: Higher rent leaves people with less disposable income.
- Financial security – the ability to manage your expenses and deal with financial difficulties.
Example: Regular saving can help people achieve greater financial security.
- Unexpected expense – a cost that you did not plan or budget for.
Example: A broken washing machine can become an expensive unexpected expense.
- Deplete – to use up a supply of something, especially money or resources.
Example: Repeated withdrawals can quickly deplete someone's savings.
- Financial strain – pressure caused by having difficulty managing money.
Example: Rising food prices have placed many households under financial strain.
Reading
Introduction
"Saving money can be difficult when everyday costs keep increasing. A recent survey in the United States shows that many workers are using their savings to pay for basic needs instead of keeping that money for the future."
(Read at your level. Do not translate every word.)
Article (All Levels)
A survey in the United States found that 27% of workers had unexpectedly taken money from their savings to cover everyday expenses. Although many people said saving money was an important goal, workers earning an hourly wage found it more difficult to save than salaried employees.
Some workers used their savings every week to pay for groceries, medication and fuel. This means that money they had set aside for the future was being used to pay for everyday needs, making it harder to build a financial cushion.
Developed Article (B1–C2)
A survey of 2,000 US workers revealed that 27% had recently needed to withdraw money from their savings account to cover everyday expenses. Although 84% considered building their savings a major financial goal, many struggled to achieve it as the cost of living continued to rise.
The situation was particularly difficult for workers earning an hourly wage. More than half said they regularly used their savings, often spending money on essentials such as groceries, medication and fuel. Instead of being able to set aside money for the future, these workers frequently had to deplete their savings to manage immediate needs, leaving them with less disposable income and a greater risk of financial strain.
The findings highlight the difference between wanting to save and being financially able to do so. When workers are living paycheck to paycheck, even a relatively small unexpected expense can affect their financial security. Without a sufficient financial cushion, it becomes increasingly difficult to recover from unexpected costs and make progress towards long-term savings goals.
Comprehension Check
(Answer based on your level.)
A1–A2
What percentage of US workers had recently used their savings?
What did some workers use their savings to pay for?
What is a financial cushion?
B1–B2
Why were hourly workers finding it harder to save money?
What percentage of workers considered saving a major financial goal?
How can regularly withdrawing savings affect someone's financial situation?
C1–C2
What does the survey reveal about the difference between financial goals and financial reality?
Why might workers with hourly wages be more financially vulnerable than salaried employees?
How can the rising cost of living affect people's ability to achieve long-term financial security?
Speaking
(Choose a question level.)
Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.
A1–A2 — Foundation
(Answer + 1 reason)
Sentence Starters
I usually spend money on...
I try to save because...
One thing I find expensive is...
I would like to save more for...
Personal Questions
Do you save money every month?
What do you spend most of your money on?
Do you prefer paying with cash or a card?
What is your biggest monthly expense?
Do you have a savings account?
What would you do if you lost your job?
Do you think food is expensive in your country?
Do you ever buy things you don't really need?
What do you usually save money for?
Is it easy for you to manage your money?
Do you prefer shopping online or in stores?
Have you ever had an unexpected bill?
Would you rather earn a higher wage or work fewer hours?
Do you think children should learn about saving money?
What is one thing you would like to buy in the future?
B1–B2 — Expansion
(Answer + reason + 2 details)
Sentence Starters
One of the biggest challenges is...
I tend to set aside money for...
This can become difficult when...
In my experience, managing money...
Personal Questions
What strategies do you use to set aside money regularly?
Do you think people spend too much money on unnecessary things?
How has the cost of living changed in recent years?
What is the best way to manage unexpected expenses?
Should employers increase hourly wages to help workers manage rising prices?
How much money do you think someone should keep in their savings account?
Do you think using credit cards encourages irresponsible spending?
What financial habits did you learn from your parents?
Is it better to save money or invest it for the future?
Why do some people struggle to save even when they earn a reasonable salary?
What would you consider a comfortable financial cushion?
Have you ever had to withdraw savings to pay for something important?
Should people prioritise paying off debt before building savings?
What financial advice would you give someone who regularly spends more than they earn?
How can people balance enjoying life today with preparing for the future?
C1–C2 — Depth & Reflection
(Reason + multiple details + consequence or reflection)
Sentence Starters
One underlying issue is...
This reflects a wider problem concerning...
From a financial perspective,...
In the long term, this could result in...
Personal Questions
To what extent should individuals be responsible for managing financial difficulties caused by rising living costs?
Can someone be considered financially secure if they have a stable job but very little savings?
Why might the ability to save money depend more on income level than personal discipline?
Should governments introduce stronger measures to protect low-income workers from rising living costs?
How does living paycheck to paycheck affect people's mental well-being and future opportunities?
Is financial education enough to solve widespread problems with personal debt and saving?
To what extent should employers be responsible for ensuring that wages reflect the actual cost of living?
How might economic inequality become worse when some people cannot afford to build a financial cushion?
Should people prioritise long-term financial security over spending money on experiences and enjoyment?
How can unexpected expenses expose weaknesses in a person's financial situation?
Do you think modern consumer culture encourages people to spend beyond their means?
What role should governments play in helping people build financial stability?
Is it realistic to expect everyone to save regularly, regardless of their income?
How might automation and changes in employment affect workers' financial security in the future?
What does having financial independence mean to you, and how much money is necessary to achieve it?
