Looking back, how did the way money was handled at home shape your own attitude to it?

A natural way to answer

Money was something we talked about openly at home, which I'm grateful for. My parents were neither extravagant nor stingy — they struck a sensible balance. I think that's why I've never felt the need to live beyond my means or chase status.

Key phrases to use

• make do with — to manage with what you have, even if it's not ideal“We had to make do with less for a while.”
• stretch a budget — to make a limited amount of money cover everything you need“She's brilliant at stretching a budget.”
• live beyond my means — to spend more money than you actually earn“He got into debt by living beyond his means.”
• stretch a pound — to make a small amount of money go a very long way“My nan could stretch a pound like no one else.”