You should say: what the special thing was, why you wanted to buy it, how you saved money for it, and explain how you felt after buying it.
The model answers below are taken from a members-only video lesson.
Watch the full lesson:
Download the audio track and full transcript of the lesson here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/tracywang/extras
Speaker: Finn
I’d like to talk about a time when I saved up to buy a really good pair of headphones.
I’d wanted them for quite a while because I listen to music almost every day, and I’d started paying more attention to sound quality. There was a particular pair I had my eye on, but they were quite expensive, so I couldn’t really justify buying them on impulse. I decided that if I wanted them, I’d have to save up for them properly.
I started by setting aside a small amount of money every week. I also made a few changes to my spending habits. Nothing too extreme, but I stopped buying little things that I didn’t really need, like snacks from convenience stores or takeaway drinks. I also started thinking twice before making unnecessary purchases. Whenever I was tempted to buy something, I’d remind myself that I was saving for the headphones and ask myself whether the purchase was really worth delaying my goal for
It took me about six months to save enough. To be honest, it wasn’t always easy because six months is quite a long time to work towards a single purchase. There were definitely times when I was tempted to spend some of the money on something else. But I kept reminding myself how much I wanted the headphones. I also kept track of my savings, and seeing the amount gradually increase gave me a real sense of progress.
When I finally had enough money, I ordered the headphones online. I remember being ridiculously excited when they arrived. I opened the box straight away, put them on, and played one of my favourite songs. The difference in sound quality was immediately noticeable, so I felt that all the waiting had paid off.
I was also genuinely proud of myself because I’d managed to stick to my plan for six whole months. It wasn’t just about getting a new pair of headphones; it was about knowing that I’d set myself a goal and actually followed through with it. That made the purchase feel much more rewarding than if I’d simply bought them on a whim.
Speaker: Blondie
Oh, um, so a time I saved up for something special… well, actually, about a year ago I decided to finally get a proper ergonomic workspace setup—you know, like a really good standing desk and an ergonomic chair. I know it sounds super boring compared to travelling or buying clothes, but I work from home so much, and my neck and lower back were just completely wrecked.
I honestly needed it because my setup at the time was literally this old, wobbly dining chair and a makeshift desk that sat way too low. By the time evening rolled around, I’d be aching so badly that I couldn’t even enjoy my free time. I realized my health was taking a massive hit, and investing in a better setup wasn’t really a luxury anymore; it was basically a necessity.
Saving for it meant making a lot of small sacrifices because the total cost was pretty eye-watering. I decided to challenge myself to a strict no-spend month where I completely cut out online shopping and going out for weekend brunches. I also started selling a bunch of old clothes and books I hadn’t touched in ages on Vinted, and I put all that extra money straight into a digital “desk fund” on my banking app. Watching that little progress bar go up every week weirdly became quite addictive.
When it finally arrived, I spent my entire Sunday afternoon assembling the heavy pieces, and the satisfaction was honestly unreal. It felt amazing knowing I hadn’t put it on a credit card or just splurged impulsively—I’d actually planned for it and saved up for it myself. The moment I stood up for the first time after a long work session without feeling that familiar ache in my back, I knew all those little sacrifices had been worth it.
So, yeah, I was really happy with the purchase. But more than that, I felt quite proud of myself because I’d set myself a goal, stuck to it for several months, and eventually got exactly what I wanted.
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