Why Is It Hard to Save Money?
Reading (閱讀)
Do you try to save money every month? For many people in America, saving money is proving to be very difficult right now. A survey conducted in the spring of 2025 found that about two-thirds (67%) of Americans feel they are behind on their savings goals. The survey included 2,000 people.
It's not just a feeling; almost half of the people in the survey said they have stopped trying to reach their financial goals. Many people with savings accounts (63%) have already taken money out this year. The main reason for this was unexpected expenses, but many also needed the money for basic necessities like food and housing payments. Sadly, only a small group of people (18%) used their savings for what they originally planned for.
The survey also looked at different age groups. People in Generation X (born 1965-1980) seem to be the most affected, with 31% reporting that their savings have decreased. Interestingly, younger people in Generation Z (born 1997-2012) are doing better, as 38% said their savings have actually increased. This difficulty isn't surprising, as a 2024 report showed that over 25% of Americans spend nearly all their income on essential needs.
Vocabulary (字彙)
save v. [sev] 儲蓄；存錢
To keep something, especially money, for use in the future.
Ex: Do you try to save money every month?
survey n. [ˋsɝve] 調查
An examination of opinions or behavior made by asking people questions.
Ex: The survey included 2,000 people.
goal n. [gol] 目標
An aim or purpose that you work towards.
Ex: 67% of Americans feel they are behind on their savings goals.
financial a. [faɪˋnænʃəl] 財務的；金融的
Relating to money or how money is managed.
Ex: They have stopped trying to reach their financial goals.
average a. [ˋævərɪdʒ] 平均的
A standard or level that is considered to be typical or usual.
Ex: On average, Americans aim to save around $500 monthly.
expense n. [ɪkˋspɛns] 花費；開支
The use of money on something.
Ex: The main reason was unexpected expenses.
essential a. [ɪˋsɛnʃəl] 必要的；基本的
Necessary or needed.
Ex: Over 25% of Americans spend almost all their income on essential needs.
Sentence (句型)
1. S. + feel + (that) + S. + V. (感覺...)
這個句型用來表達主觀的感受或看法。that 通常可以省略。
Ex: ...67% of Americans feel they are behind on their savings goals.
2. The main reason was + N. / that + S. + V. (主要原因是...)
用來清楚說明造成某個結果最主要的原因。
Ex: The main reason was unexpected expenses.
3. S. + spend + money/time + on + N. (花費...在...上)
描述將金錢或時間投入在某件事情上。
Ex: ...25% of Americans spend almost all their income on essential needs.
Grammar (文法)
1. 現在進行式 (Present Progressive)
文章使用 is proving 來強調「存錢很困難」是一個「目前正在持續且明顯」的狀況，而不只是一個不變的事實。
Ex: For many people in America, saving money is proving difficult.
2. 現在完成式 (Present Perfect)
使用 have stopped 和 have taken out 來表達一個「從過去某個時間點到現在已經發生」的動作，並且這個動作對現在的情況有影響。
Ex: ...almost half of the people surveyed have stopped trying to reach their financial goals.
Ex: Many people with savings accounts (63%) have taken money out already this year.
Phrase (片語)
behind on (在...方面落後): ...they are behind on their savings goals.
stop trying (停止嘗試): ...they have stopped trying to reach their financial goals.
take out (取出；拿出): ...reported taking money out already this year.
look at (研究；看待): The survey also looked at different age groups.
Countable & Uncountable Nouns
[C] (可數名詞): month, people, survey, goal, American, account, expense, payment, group, report, need, reason
[U] (不可數名詞): money, housing, food, income, savings
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