Casa ESL · B1 Intermediate · Unit 19 of 20 · Step 2
Personal finances and expressing wishes and regrets
Name
Date
Vocabulary
budget
nounA plan for how to spend your money.
"I wish I had a better budget for my monthly expenses."
afford
verbTo have enough money to pay for something.
"If only I could afford to buy a flat in the city."
debt
nounMoney that you owe to someone.
"She wishes she didn't have so much student debt."
invest
verbTo put money into something to make a profit.
"I wish I had invested in that company years ago."
savings
nounMoney you have kept and not spent.
"If only I had more savings for emergencies."
expense
nounThe cost of something; money spent on something.
"I wish my monthly expenses were lower."
loan
nounMoney that you borrow, especially from a bank.
"He wishes he didn't have to take out a loan."
bargain
nounSomething bought for less than the usual price.
"I wish I could find more bargains like that jacket."
Grammar Focus
Wish + past simple / If only + past simple
Use 'wish + past simple' to express that you want the present to be different. Use 'if only + past simple' for a stronger or more emotional wish. With 'be', you can use 'were' for all subjects (I wish I were...) in formal English, though 'was' is common in informal speech. These structures express dissatisfaction with the current situation.
I wish I had more money. (I don't have enough money now.)
She wishes she lived closer to her family.
If only I could drive — I have to take the bus every day.
He wishes he were better at saving money.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use wish + past simple.
1. I wish I (have) enough money to travel more.
2. She wishes she (not spend) so much on clothes last month.
3. If only I (know) how to manage my finances better.
4. He wishes he (can) afford a new car.
5. We wish we (not have to) pay so much rent.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1. I wish I ___ a higher salary.
2. If only she ___ better with money.
3. He wishes he ___ so much on his credit card.
4. I wish I ___ how to invest properly.
5. If only we ___ afford to buy a house in this area.
Reading
Lessons About Money
When I was in my twenties, I didn't think much about money. I spent everything I earned and never saved. Now I wish I had started saving earlier. If only I had opened a savings account when I got my first job. My friend Ana is the opposite — she has always been careful with money. She wishes she could be a little more relaxed about spending, but she says she prefers knowing she has money in the bank. I asked her for advice last year, and she helped me create a budget. Now I save a little every month. I still wish I earned more, but at least I feel more in control. If only everyone learned about personal finance at school — it would make such a difference.
1. What does the writer wish they had done differently?
2. What is Ana's attitude towards money?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 6–8 sentences about your relationship with money. Include at least three sentences using 'wish' or 'if only' to express things you would like to be different.
Example: I try to save money every month, but it's not always easy. I wish I earned a bit more so I could put more aside. If only I had learned about budgeting when I was younger. I wish I didn't have to worry about rent increases every year.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. had · 2. didn't spend · 3. knew · 4. could · 5. didn't have to
Exercise 2
1. had · 2. were · 3. didn't spend · 4. knew · 5. could
Reading Comprehension
1. The writer wishes they had started saving earlier and had opened a savings account when they got their first job. · 2. Ana has always been careful with money, though she wishes she could be a little more relaxed about spending.