Tag: finance

Living with Debt

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

There comes a time in one’s life when they need financial help to pay for something they couldn’t afford right away. Many people rely on loans or credit to cover large expenses, such as purchasing a vehicle or a home. In return, they agree to repay the borrowed amount over a period of time.

With prices of goods and services steadily increasing, some individuals now depend on credit not only for major purchases, but also for basic needs like groceries and monthly bills. When borrowing becomes excessive or difficult to manage, it can create financial pressure and negatively affect a person’s mental and emotional well-being.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about living with debt.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260528

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “overdraft” mean? “According to debt support group The Money Charity, roughly how much is the average British adult in debt through credit cards, overdrafts, and personal loans?” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “in arrears” mean? “For many people in Woldham, Jason included, debt was an ordinary feature of daily life. And beyond that, being in arrears was part of daily life.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “the never-never” mean? ”Jason actually fluctuated between wanting to clear all of his debts on the one hand, and on the other what he described as living on thenever-never and actually questioning the supposed moral obligation to pay his debts.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. When is taking on debt a responsible financial decision, and when can it become a problem?
  2. How can debt affect a person’s mental health and overall quality of life?
  3. What strategies can individuals use to prevent debt from becoming overwhelming?
  4. Should financial literacy and debt management be taught in schools? Why?
  5. How can governments and financial institutions help people avoid excessive debt?

Rich Mindset vs Poor Mindset

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

A rich mindset and a poor mindset are often described as different ways of thinking rather than simply the amount of money a person has. A rich mindset focuses on growth, learning, opportunities, and long-term goals, while a poor mindset may be centered on limitations, fear of failure, and short-term survival.

Although circumstances can influence a person’s outlook, these mindsets can change over time through education, experience, and a willingness to adopt new perspectives.

Read the article about the key difference between the rich and the poor mindset.

https://novamoney.com/blog/5-key-differences-between-a-rich-mindset-and-a-poor-mindset

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to live beyond one’s means” mean? “Poor people are those who live beyond their means.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to live paycheck to paycheck” mean? “The poor tend to live paycheque to paycheque.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to make ends meet” mean? “When a crisis hits, making ends meet is nearly impossible.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe mindset can influence a person’s success? Why or why not?
  2. Share your insights on this, “Rich people are said to make money work for them.”
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “Poor people spend on both necessities and desires.”?
  4. Do you agree or disagree, “Poor people care about image.”? Explain.
  5. Why do you think “Rich people tend to be risk takers and poor people risk averse.”?

Prenuptial Agreements

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A prenuptial agreement, also commonly called a “prenup”, is a legal contract signed before marriage that explains how assets and debts will be divided if the couple divorces. It helps protect financial interests, prevent disputes, and promote clear communication between partners. Many people view it as a practical tool for financial planning and security.

To learn more about the topic, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to set forth” mean?“It sets forth the rights of each party to the property of the other in the event of divorce or death.”  Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “alimony” mean? “It can also impact support rights and obligations such as alimony upon divorce.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “enforceable” mean? “It is more likely that a court will consider a prenuptial agreement enforceable if each party is represented by counsel.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of prenuptial agreements in the event of a divorce?
  2. Should prenuptial agreements be encouraged for all couples or only for those with significant assets?
  3. Does discussing a prenuptial agreement before marriage imply a lack of commitment to the relationship? Share your thoughts.
  4. “Prenuptial agreements protect individuals and reduce conflict during divorce.” Do you agree or disagree?
  5. How do cultural and societal views influence people’s opinions about prenuptial agreements?

Digital Euro: the Future of Cash in Europe

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Money has evolved rapidly in recent years, with digital payments through cards and mobile phones increasingly replacing cash.

In response, the European Central Bank is developing the digital euro, a form of electronic public money designed to offer a secure and reliable way to make digital transactions.

Read the article to know more about the digital Euro.

https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-digital-euro-a-guide-to-the-future-of-cash-in-europe-280055

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “solvency” mean? “It will be a balance that does not depend on the solvency of any financial institution.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “monetary sovereignty” mean? “In February 2026, the European Parliament formally endorsed the digital euro project, describing it as essential to strengthening EU monetary sovereignty.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to lead the pack” mean? “China leads the pack with its digital yuan – also known as the digital renminbi – which has seen more than 7 trillion yuan in transactions and is used in over 26 cities.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the digital euro and digital currencies in general?
  2. What might the implications of the digital euro be for ordinary people and Europe’s financial systems?
  3. What issues do you foresee with the digital euro?
  4. Share your insights on this statement: “Europe is not alone in this pursuit, as more than 130 countries are exploring or have already launched their own digital currencies.”
  5. Do you think the European Central Bank can roll out the digital euro by 2029? Share your thoughts.

Could the Dollar Lose Its Dominance?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Since the end of World War II, the dollar has dominated and shaped global trade and finance. Investors have generally felt secure and confident in the United States. However, reserve managers’ diversification into other currencies has led to a noticeable decline in dollar holdings in recent years, signaling a shift in confidence as they seek to mitigate risks associated with currency fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties.

To discover more about the potential for the dollar to lose its dominance, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “linchpin”? “For eight decades the US dollar has been the linchpin of global trade and finance.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to hedge someone’s exposure” mean? “Over the past year in particular investors have become much keener to hedge their exposure to dollars.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “fiscal and monetary trajectory” mean? “The more people use it use it, the more others want to use it too, but anxiety about America’s fiscal and monetary trajectory is growing” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors might put an end to the dollar’s hegemony?
  2. Is it difficult to dethrone the dollar dominance? Elaborate your answer.
  3. If the dollar starts losing its dominance, which currency could best replace the dollars? Why this currency?
  4. How difficult is it to develop trust in international and financial trade?

Global Debt Surges as Governments Invest in National Security and Resilience

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Total global debt reached an unprecedented $348 trillion by the end of 2025. This surge is mainly driven by heavy government borrowing in major economies like the U.S., China, and Europe.

Read the article to know why debt-to-GDP ratios slightly declined due to economic growth, high borrowing levels pose challenges for future fiscal stability.

Global Debt Surges as Governments Invest in National Security and Resilience

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “deficit spending” mean? “Total global debt rose by nearly $29 trillion, reaching a new all-time high of $348 trillion, with roughly two-thirds of the increase originating in mature markets as deficit spending rose.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “sovereign debt” mean? “Beyond the continued surge in China, the buildup in sovereign debt across emerging.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “capital expenditure (CapEx) supercycle” mean? “A powerful new wave of global capital expenditure supercycles is set to reinforce this momentum, with large-scale investment in AI-driven data centers, energy security and transition, and resilient infrastructure emerging as a major growth engine for global debt markets.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think global debt has reached such a record-high level?
  2. How can high government debt affect ordinary people in everyday life?
  3. Do you think borrowing money is necessary for economic growth, or is it too risky? Why?
  4. Which countries do you think are most vulnerable to a global debt crisis?
  5. What strategies can governments use to reduce debt without harming their economy?

Every Financial Trap Middle Class People Fall Into

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people earn more money over time, yet they still feel financially stuck. Raises, promotions, and side jobs should create progress, but for many, nothing really changes. The income increases, but so do the expenses.

This video explains several common financial traps that quietly drain money. It looks at habits such as lifestyle creep, minimum credit card payments, keeping up appearances, and delaying retirement savings. These patterns often feel normal and harmless, but over time they can prevent real financial freedom.

Watch the video to understand these money traps and reflect on which ones might affect everyday financial decisions.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “lifestyle creep” mean in the sentence, “But freedom only exists in the gap between earning and spending. Lifestyle creep closes that gap completely.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “upside down” mean in the sentence, “That gap between what you owe and what it’s worth is called being upside down, and you’re drowning in it”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “compound interest” mean in the sentence, “Compound interest runs quietly in the background, growing your debt while you sleep”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do people often increase their spending after getting a raise?
  2. Which financial trap in the video do you think is the most dangerous? Why?
  3. Why do small daily expenses often feel harmless but become serious over time?
  4. Do you think social pressure influences financial decisions? In what ways?
  5. What practical steps can people take to avoid these money traps?

How to Manage Your Budget?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The population works for a living to plan efficiently their finances, but given the current state of affairs and the skyrocketing rate of inflation worldwide, are you among those who find it difficult to plan or budget their income in order to set aside a portion for the future? A very crucial question to everyone who is trying make ends meet particularly this year.

Watch the video below to learn more about how to manage your budget.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “golden rule” mean? “Elizabeth Warren introduced a golden rule that promised to make budgeting obsolete.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “squeeze effect” mean? “Increase in rent causes a deduction in other household expenses which leads to the squeeze effect.”  Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What is “factual effect”? “This is a factual way to measure if your housing cost is actually fair compared to the market ” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you come up with financial plans?
  2. Which is more financially advantageous in your specific case—owning or renting a property?
  3. What financial strategies do you employ to preserve and endure the current situation?
  4. Share your insights on this, “Efficient budgets are often the most fragile.”
  5. “Finances, like biology, if you don’t evolve, you die.” Share your thoughts.

Parents Saving Millions For Their Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

They say that starting your children off right could lead to generational wealth. Many parents save and invest so their kids can do better than them. They believe that saving up for their children could set them up for a better, brighter future.

Watch the video about some parents talking about saving millions for their children.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “generational wealth” mean? “Starting your children off right leads to generational wealth.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “full-ride scholarship” mean? “I went to South Carolina State University on a full-ride tennis scholarship.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “back-of-the-envelope calculation” mean? “I did simple back-of-the-envelope calculations in an Excel spreadsheet on how much I needed to be happy and comfortable; and maybe to raise a family.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about parents saving all their money for their children and their future? What might be the pros and cons when parents do this?
  2. Is this practice a commonplace in your country/culture? Talk about it.
  3. Do you agree or not, “Starting your children off right leads to generational wealth.”? Share your thoughts.
  4. What would you do if you were born into generational wealth? How different do you think your life would have been?

Encouraging People to Save is the Key to Financial Resilience

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The article argues that to withstand economic shocks, people need more than just emergency funds systems must proactively support saving. It highlights how employers, policymakers, and institutions around the world can help build financial buffers for individuals.

Read the article to know how to make saving a more structured and accessible habit.

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/03/saving-is-key-to-financial-resilience/?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “staggering” mean? “The financial aftermath post-treatment is staggering: a five-figure medical bill that forced you to use all of your savings, take on high-interest debt and postpone critical expenses for your family.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “unravel” mean? “This is a stark reminder of how quickly a single unexpected event can unravel a household’s financial stability, and how vital it is to build resilience before a crisis strikes.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “financial buffer” mean? “The importance of building financial buffers cannot be overstated. Yet for many households, savings remain a low priority – until circumstances leave no alternative.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think many people still struggle to save even when they know it’s important for financial resilience?
  2. What kind of support or systems would help you personally save more consistently?
  3. Do you agree that employers and governments should play a bigger role in encouraging people to save? Why or why not?
  4. How has your own approach to saving changed during economic uncertainties?
  5. What small habit do you think could make the biggest impact on someone’s long-term financial stability?
  6. Share your thoughts on this: Our current savings systems are largely reactive rather than proactive.
  7. What are your thoughts on the idea of employer-sponsored savings programmes?