AEE 2525: What Are You Saving Up For?

Summary

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All Ears English Podcast: What Are You Saving Up For?| Episode 2525

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Lindsay and Michelle discuss the differences between "saving" and "savings" in English, teach relevant vocabulary and phrasal verbs like "save up" and "save on," and explore the cultural nuances of talking about money in American society. The conversation guides listeners on how to use these words in natural contexts, clarifies common student mistakes, and gives practical examples, all while encouraging listeners to connect through language, not stress over perfection.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing the Topic: Talking About Saving Money

(02:20)

• Michelle opens by asking Lindsay, "Are you saving up for any special purchases?" [02:20].
• Lindsay replies, "I'm always saving for travel. You know, we're going to go to Italy in December, which I'm excited." [02:26]
• Michelle explains that she and her family are "trying to save in general," rather than for a specific purchase [02:43].

2. English Vocabulary: ‘Saving’ vs ‘Savings’

(03:14–07:33)

• Many English learners confuse "saving" vs. "savings."
• Common student mistake: "I am having savings," instead of "I am saving money" [03:14].
• ‘Saving’ is the verb for the act of not spending or preserving (money, time, etc.):
  • “I’m saving money by taking the earlier flight.” [05:03]
  • “I’m saving time by picking up Charlie at 2 instead of 3.” [05:31]
  • “Saving money is really important to our company, especially now.” [05:40]
  • No S: "We’re not putting an S on this… we’ll get into why..." [05:53]
• ‘Savings’ is a noun, commonly referring to money kept in a bank or set aside for the future:
  • “Savings is generally about the bank… to have money in savings.” [06:32]
  • “You might have a savings account.” [06:49]
  • “I opened a savings account for my daughter when she was born.” [07:02]
  • “My mother always told me to put aside a certain percentage of my paycheck into savings.” [07:07]
  • Crucially, the ‘s’ in ‘savings’ doesn’t mean plural; it’s just the noun form [07:27].

Notable Quote

“It’s not necessarily that it’s plural. We just… say it that way.” — Michelle [07:27]

3. Phrasal Verbs: ‘Save Up’ and ‘Save On’

(09:16–12:15)

• "Save up" means setting aside money for a specific purpose.
  • "Is there anything you're saving up for?" [09:16]
  • Adding "up" makes it more conversational and motivational:

    “I think it makes it also a little more… encouraging, maybe.” — Lindsay [09:47]

  • Less formal/casual language:
    • “If you walk into a bank, I don’t think the teller is gonna say… what are you saving up for?” [10:22]
    • But it’s natural among friends [10:40].
  • Example: “If you want to buy a house, you better start saving up now.” [10:57]
  • When specifying a goal, use "save up for…" (“I’m saving up for a new pair of sneakers.”) [11:28]
• "Save on" means to spend less or reduce expenses:
  • “We can save on groceries by clipping coupons.” [11:48]
  • “Let’s save on clothes by shopping at a second-hand store.” [12:15]

Notable Quote

“Save up… it makes it a little more casual, a little more conversational.” — Michelle [09:44]

4. Money and American Cultural Norms

(12:21–14:20)

• Discussing saving money is usually acceptable, but certain specifics are still taboo:
  • “There are certain faux pas… around money that we shouldn’t talk about.” — Lindsay [12:45]
  • It's inappropriate to ask, “How much money do you make?” or “How much do you have?” [13:06, 13:15]
  • General questions about saving for something are fine, especially if the person volunteers the information [13:29].
• Michelle shares a personal story about explaining these norms to her son [13:56].

Notable Quote

“Money, sex, and religion are faux pas, but here we are talking about how native speakers share what they're saving up for all the time.” — Lindsay [12:52]

5. Role Play: Applying the Vocabulary in Context

(14:21–16:08)

• The hosts enact a roommate scenario, discussing how to use various "save" expressions naturally:
  • “It seems we are spending a ton on cleaning supplies.” [14:36]
  • “I think we can save on them if we buy in bulk.” [14:40]
  • “Maybe we can save up for a larger order.” [14:44]
  • “I have some extra money in savings, so we can use that.” [14:48]
  • “Saving money is huge for us right now.” [14:51]
• They debrief and clarify each use:
  • “We’re basically… spend more money up front, but based on buying in bulk, you’re actually saving money.” — Michelle [15:31]
  • “It turns out we don’t have to save up because I have money in savings…” — Lindsay [15:46]

6. Takeaways and Practical Tips

(16:10–17:25)

• Use “saving” as a verb and gerund, “savings” as a noun for accumulated money.
• "Saving up for" is casual, friendly; "savings account" is technical/banking.
• When in doubt about cultural norms, listen first; avoid specifics about salary or net worth.
• If unsure if a question is appropriate, it's okay to ask first ("I'm not sure if this is okay to ask, but…") [17:10]

Notable Quote

“If you’re confused about what’s okay to talk about and what’s not, just start listening for what people are talking about.” — Michelle [16:45]

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “I think every time I book a flight…I hate my life when I wake up at three in the morning.” — Lindsay [05:07]
• “It’s fascinating…when kids are learning social norms…and as an adult, you’re like, yeah, maybe we should question that norm.” — Lindsay [14:09]
• “Whatever you're saving up for, I hope you get many riches soon so you can buy it.” — Michelle [18:18]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:20 – Episode topic introduction: personal saving goals
• 03:14–07:33 – "Saving" vs. "savings:" usage and common learner mistakes
• 09:16–12:15 – Phrasal verbs: "save up," "save on," examples, and cultural nuance
• 12:21–14:20 – Discussing money: American cultural do’s and don’ts
• 14:21–16:08 – Role play: roommates budgeting together
• 16:10–17:25 – Practical takeaways and cultural guidance

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Final Takeaways

• Use “saving” (verb/gerund) to describe the act, “savings” (noun) for the money stored.
• “Save up for” is a friendly, native way of asking about future financial goals.
• Some money topics are fine for small talk; others (salary, total savings) remain taboo.
• Listen to how Americans discuss money, and don’t hesitate to clarify what’s socially acceptable.
• Practice using the phrasal verbs "save up" and "save on" for more natural English.

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Connection, not perfection! Hit follow to get more episodes like this and keep building your cultural and conversational English skills.

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 2525 what are you saving up for?

Welcome to the All Ears English Podcast.

[B]

Downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection with your American hosts, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl. Coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the Allears English app for iOS and Android. Start your 7 day free trial at allearsenglish.com.

App.

[C]

Money can be a faux pas topic in American culture. But today get one angle on money that is okay to talk about what you're saving for. Find out the difference between saving and savings in English.

[A]

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[B]

Good. Michelle, how's everything for you? How's it going?

[C]

Good. Yeah, everything is good, Lindsay. Are you saving up for any special purchases?

[B]

Any special purchases? I mean, I'm always saving for travel. You know, we're going to go to Italy in December, which I'm excited. You know, travel's not the most, not the cheapest thing nowadays. Right. Flights are expensive. Yeah, that's what I'm saving for. What are you saving for?

[C]

I wouldn't, I, I think we, I don't know that we're saving for one thing in particular. It's just kind of trying to save in general.

And, and then seeing if we save what we could do, you know, something for the house and maybe travel. Right. But not like a specific, specific, specific purchase. Yeah, right now. But today we are going to talk about something that we have heard students say, dealing with the word savings and saving. Okay.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah. So we've heard students say things like they are having savings when they actually mean they are there are savings or they are saving money. Yeah. You ever heard this type of mistake, savings and saving? Because it's interesting how we have seen savings with an S. I know.

[B]

How do we know when to make it plural and when it's just a verb? Saving.

[C]

Y.

[B]

Right. Yeah. That's a really good question. I haven't heard it, but I believe that that mistake is out there floating around. So we're going to make sure it goes away today for our listeners.

[C]

Goes away. All right, before we get into it, we want to remind you to hit the follow button wherever you are. Listening to the Allers English podcast. If you are watching on YouTube, hit subscribe. Just don't miss anything from us. Let us come to you.

[B]

Exactly. Let us drop into your queue. I had, There was a podcast that I wanted to make sure I listened to, but then I, I wanted to make sure I didn't forget about it. And so I recently made sure to hit follow. I hunted it down to make sure it's right there in my library, my listening library. So. Because otherwise I'll just forget about it. So if you found English, if you're new here, hit the follow button so you don't forget about us.

[C]

Yeah. Life gets busy. Just make it easy.

[B]

Exactly. So let's start here today with saving. Michelle, tell us when we might use the word saving as a verb.

[C]

Right, yeah. To save. Right. So we're talking most like this could be with money. Right. To it. You're keeping something by not spending it. Right. But it could also be something like time. Right. Saving time. Huge. So saving is, you know, just a verb form of, of save. Right. It's just the continuous. So here's some examples. I'm saving money by taking the earlier flight.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. That is always a mistake.

I, I think every time I book a flight, I think, yeah, okay, I see that all these flights are this price. And then I see the 6am flight is so much cheaper. And then I book it. And then I hate my life when I wake up at three in the morning, you know, is. And then you're just. For the rest the next two days, it's, it's, it's, it's. Sometimes it's not worth it for me.

[C]

But yeah, yeah, yeah, I got that.

[B]

I'm saving time by picking up Charlie at 2 instead of 3. Right. We're big on saving time in the U.S. it's a big part of Our culture.

[C]

Or saving money is really important to our company, especially now. Well, that's actually the.

Gerund form.

[B]

Yes, exactly. So notice that we're not putting an S on this.

[C]

Right.

[B]

We're not putting an S on this. And we'll get into why once we get into the other side of things. Or you could also say just to save, like using the infinitive form. I want to save money so I.

[A]

Can buy a car next year.

[B]

So sometimes we do share our savings goals. Oh, I just said savings.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

Oh, that's a great bridge, Michelle. Great bridge. We do say we share our goals on what we're saving for. We share are savings goals. Okay. Well, there you go. Just open it up.

[C]

Well, there you go. So savings. So, yeah, it's interesting because once you do add an S to it, it becomes a noun.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

So savings is generally about the bank. Right. That's how I think of it. To have money in savings. So you keep that money and you don't spend it. So it can be utilized at a future time. Right. You might have a savings account. Right. And that's the official account in the bank.

[B]

Right. Do you remember getting your first savings account when you were a kid? Right. It's such a ritual. They give you the little book, and I feel like they make it a big deal at the banks. It's very cute, actually. Yeah. Yes, yes.

[C]

So, yeah, you could say something like, I opened a savings account for my daughter when she was born.

[B]

Yep. Or my mother always told me to put aside a certain percentage of my paycheck into savings. And again, that is the noun form. That is your bank account, really. Right. Or it could be multiple bank accounts.

[A]

But we're not.

[B]

We're not pointing to the multiple aspect by using the S here. That's important, Right?

[C]

Exactly. Yeah. That's really interesting. It's not necessarily that it's plural. We just. Yeah, say it that way.

[B]

Really interesting. Oh, my gosh. We're gonna take a quick break and then we'll come back and go into.

[A]

A little bit more depth here, Michelle.

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[B]

Okay, so there are other words we need to know with save, like save up. I think you asked this at the top. Is there anything you're saving up for?

[C]

Saving up.

[B]

Why did you ask me that instead of is there anything you're saving for?

[C]

Yeah, it's interesting. I mean, I think. I don't know if we've done episodes about this, probably where we add up and what it does.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But yeah, that you're saving for. I think it makes it a little bit more conversational, a little more casual. What do you think?

[B]

I think it makes it. Yeah, it makes it also a little.

[A]

More like, encouraging, maybe.

[C]

True.

[B]

Yeah. I think. I think we have done a few episodes in the past about what up does, but it does. It's also very specific to each verb. But I think it makes it a little more casual, a little more conversational.

[A]

Encouraging, motivational. Hey, what are you saving up for?

[B]

I could have totally asked, hey, what are you saving for? It's just a little more standard if you say save.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah. I feel like saving up, like, I feel like a child. Sounds a little more complete. It would be. It would to me. What are you saving for? Are you saving for anything? I don't know, it just. I would feel awkward saying that.

[B]

But maybe a little more colloquial. A little more. Yeah, just like everyday language. I think that if you walk into a bank, I don't think the teller is gonna say, if you open an account, you know, you're looking to save money for a house, I don't think they're gonna say, what are you saving up for?

[A]

Right, right.

[C]

Yeah, good point.

[B]

But maybe your friend.

[A]

Maybe party.

[C]

Yes, yes, yes. So I would say like, maybe More professional, a little bit more.

You know, just a little bit more formal would be without up.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But yeah, this is a phrasal verb. So to keep money aside because you want to buy something specific.

[B]

Yeah. So for example, if you want to buy a house, you better start saving up now. And the cost of housing is really getting high in the US or has been getting high for quite a while. So. Yeah, we got to start early.

[C]

Yeah. You could also say to save, save up four. Right. And actually maybe that is what I said in the beginning. Yeah. Let's see. Are you saving up four? Right. So when you add four, that's when you are going to say what it is specifically.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Right. So you could say I'm saving up for a new pair of sneakers for sure.

[B]

And then sometimes we hear save on lower what you spend. Right. You might see this at the grocery store. Any kind of sales that are happening. Right. We can save on groceries by clipping coupons.

[C]

Are you a coupon?

[B]

I was gonna ask you the same thing. I've never been a coupon clipper, Michelle. No, no. What about you?

[C]

No, I just kind of in the grocery store, I like you put your phone number in and you know, then you usually get some sort of discount. But I don't like look through the paper.

[B]

No, it feels, I mean some people do and maybe they save money but I don't know that I would have the discipline for it, you know.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

What? El.

[C]

Oh, yeah. Or let's save on clothes by shopping at a second hand store.

[B]

Nice. All right, Michelle, let's break into a role play here because I do think that saving and money is a really common topic. But in American culture we have to toe the line between moving into the, what do you call it? Like the, the things we want to avoid about money. And so this is an okay topic. Right. Like there are certain faux pas when around money that we shouldn't talk about. Right.

[C]

Yeah. So actually, yeah, it's. Oh, sorry, go ahead.

[B]

No, I was gonna say, I wonder if that's confusing for our listeners because we say that money, sex and religion are faux pas. But here we are talking about how native speakers share what they're saving up for all the time. So do you think that could be confusing for our listeners?

[C]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's pretty much with money. You don't talk about your salary. You know, that's pretty, you know, wouldn't just say like how much money do you make? Right. That's, I think the big one.

[B]

Or how much money you have, like, you wouldn't share how much money you have in, like, your total net worth or what's in the bank. Right. That's not. That would be the faux pas. Yeah. Right.

[C]

And. But, like, just talking about saving up for something.

It'S mostly okay, I think, if the person shares with you. If you're. Yeah. It's interesting. There's so many different scenarios that we could talk about when you would maybe ask this or when you want in or when you would talk about what you're trying to save for. So, I don't know. It's interesting because actually, my. I'm reading a book to my son, and there was a part where they talked about this and they talked about not asking how many. It just is a fiction book about, you know, what people make. And so I was starting to explain. I was trying to explain it to him, and.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

Just.

[C]

He was like, why? Why can't you ask? Why can't. So I was trying to explain why.

[B]

Oh, that's so interesting.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

You know, it starts to be interesting when kids are learning social norms in a culture, and then as an adult, you're like, yeah, maybe we should question that norm. You know? I mean.

[C]

Yeah, right.

[B]

It's fascinating. Oh, my gosh. All right, let's break into a role play, and maybe we'll come back briefly to this in the takeaway. So here, Michelle, we are roommates, and.

[A]

We'Re going through our expenses.

[B]

Right. So when you're a roommate, you do share some expenses, maybe, Right. On food and things. Okay. Yep.

[C]

All right. Here we go. So it seems we are spending a ton on cleaning supplies.

[B]

You're right. I think we can save on them if we buy in bulk.

[C]

Oh, good idea. Maybe we can save up for a larger order.

[B]

Okay. I have some extra money in savings, so we can use that.

[C]

Oh, wow, that's so nice of you. Saving money is huge for us right now.

[B]

Sure. The extra money is a time saver.

[A]

For our cleaning, too. Yeah.

[B]

And this is where we did a whole episode about Costco a few years ago, I think, Michelle.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

And that's totally a valid topic. Right. People talk about how they love to go to Costco, they love to buy in bulk because they save money. That's valid.

[A]

That's a great conversation topic.

[C]

Absolutely. Absolutely. All right, let's go through this. So I. You said, I think we can save on them. So on the cleaning supplies, if we buy in bulk.

[B]

Exactly. And you said, good idea. Maybe we can save up for a larger Order, so. Meaning save our money for a large order.

[C]

Right, right. So. Right. So we're basically trying to. Maybe we are going to spend more money up front, but we're realizing that based on buying in bulk. Yeah, you spend a lot up front, but then technically you're actually saving money.

[B]

Exactly. And then I said, okay, I have some extra money in savings, so we can use that. So it turns out we don't have to save up because I have money in savings. And again, that is my savings account.

[A]

Right.

[C]

Thank you, Lindsay. And then I said, saving money is huge for us right now. So that's more the gerund form, actually.

[B]

Saving money is huge for us.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So we've seen a lot of different ways to use this verb or noun or gerund of save. I love it. Michelle, is there another episode our listeners should check out right now?

[C]

Right now, guys, check out episode 2516. That was assumption versus presumption in English. That was a fun one.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. And as a takeaway, we touched on something interesting. There are social norms in American culture, certain conversation topics that we avoid, and money is one of them.

[A]

But only certain aspects of money. Right.

[B]

So if you're confused about this, Michelle, about what's okay to talk about and.

[A]

What'S not, what should we do?

[B]

What should our listeners do?

[C]

Yeah, I mean, if you're confused about what. Good, good question. You know, just. Just start listening for what people are talking about. I mean, I would say there are the ones that are pretty black and white, right. About salary. How much money do you have that's black and white. Like, you're not. Don't talk about those things. I would say that's like a good general rule as far as the gray areas.

You know, I don't think that it's a problem to. To give these things a try personally. Yeah, we could do. We could actually do another episode about, like, how to kind of ask a question and say, oh, I'm not sure if, you know.

[B]

Yeah, that would be a good okay to ask.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, you know, because that's okay, too. And I don't think. I think that generally, I don't think if you ask somebody, oh, are you saving up for anything? I don't think they're gonna be like.

[B]

No, no, no, this one's fine. This one's fine. Totally. I think we should do another episode, guys. Hit the follow button. We'll follow up soon with an episode on how to ask about if something is okay to ask. And we've done similar episodes in the past, but we'll focus it on social norms. Right. The the faux pas that we talk about. A lot of another faux pas around money would be like talking about inheritance, I think. Be careful around there if you're inheriting money. Unless you're around certain people. Like be careful there. That's one of the no go topics. But we'll get back to this another day. Right, Michelle?

[C]

Yep. Absolutely. All right. Well, thanks for talking about this with me today, guys. Hope we cleared that up for you. And whatever you're saving up for, I hope you get many riches soon so you can buy it.

[B]

Sounds good, Michelle. Talk to you soon. Take care.

[C]

All right.

[B]

Bye bye.

Thanks for listening. To all ears.

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[D]

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