Money Talk at Home in Spain
Everyday Spanish expressions for tight months, bargains and the household budget.
Spaniards talk about money with a lot of colourful expressions: you struggle to llegar a fin de mes, something costs un ojo de la cara, a good deal is un chollo. Couples often go through the bills at the kitchen table, then hunt for own-brand products and offers at the supermarket. These expressions follow a couple balancing their budget for a month.
- 1
Este mes nos cuesta llegar a fin de mes.
This month we're struggling to make ends meet.
- 2
Vamos a tener que apretarnos el cinturón.
We're going to have to tighten our belts.
- 3
La factura de la luz cuesta un ojo de la cara.
The electricity bill costs an arm and a leg.
- 4
Primero vamos a comparar precios.
Let's compare prices first.
- 5
En el otro súper sale más barato.
It works out cheaper at the other supermarket.
- 6
La marca blanca es igual de buena.
The own-brand one is just as good.
- 7
¡Esto es un chollo!
That's a real bargain!
- 8
¿De verdad merece la pena?
Is it really worth it?
- 9
Tampoco hay que tirar la casa por la ventana.
We don't need to go overboard either.
- 10
Estoy sin blanca hasta que cobre.
I'm totally broke until payday.
- 11
Lo pagamos a medias.
Let's go halves on it.
- 12
Ahora mismo hay que mirar cada euro.
Right now we need to watch every euro.
- 13
Los fines de semana gastamos a lo loco.
At weekends we spend like crazy.
- 14
Por una vez, vamos a darnos un capricho.
Just this once, let's treat ourselves.
- 15
Nos faltan cincuenta euros para cuadrar las cuentas.
We're fifty euros short of balancing the books.
- 16
La cuesta de enero siempre se hace dura.
January is always a tough month for money.
- 17
Con el móvil podríamos ahorrar un pico.
We could save quite a bit on our phones.
- 18
Esta semana está de oferta.
It's on special offer this week.
- 19
Al fin y al cabo, es cuestión de prioridades.
At the end of the day, it's a question of priorities.
- 20
Poco a poco, vamos ahorrando algo.
Little by little, we're saving a bit.