Shadowing Practice: The 50-Cent-a-Day Habit That Really CAN Build Wealth - Learn English Speaking with Video

Start by saving 50 cents a day for two months.

So I'm going to ask you to do something that is going to seem so small, but every dollar does count.

Like the show, The Bear, they say every second counts.

This is every dollar counts.

Start by saving 50 cents a day for two months.

Literally 50 cents.

You can have a jar of change, put 50 cents a day in that jar.

After two months, I want it to be a dollar.

I know this seems like so, you know, Melody, what are you asking me to do?

After two months, I want it to be $3.

Okay.

And after the last four months, I want you to try to save $5 a day.

Now, $5 a day, we're talking about $35 a week.

We're talking about $140 a month.

That gets hard.

But in those early days, you start to condition yourself around shaming.

I love this because you've trained yourself.

It's not.

And this becomes a way of life, not a diet.

It's very, very important.

It just starts to be a way of life and saving becomes addictive.

So everyone that I've had do this, they see a little money, they get excited.

They start to see more money, they get more excited.

So that that I love this.

This is so much about everybody will say save 10% of your salary.

No, it's too hard.

It's too hard.

50 cents, a dollar, $2, $3, $5.

At the end of that year, you have almost $1,000.

And that's a little cushion.

And you didn't start by saying, I got to save $1,000, which when you're living paycheck to paycheck, that seems impossible.

But if I start you at 50 cents, I promise you can get there.

The other thing I'd like to ask you to do for one month period, 30 days, 30 days is just use cash for one month.

Okay.

You cannot use anything else.

This is why it's important.

if I ask most people, how much money do you have in your wallet?

People can't even tell me.

But you'd know if you only had cash.

And so you only use cash, which actually changes how much you spend, believe it or not.

When we don't see and have to take the bills out, we spend more money.

So we spend about 18% more on plastic, debit or credit.

Because the scarcity isn't there where you literally have no more bills in your wallet.

You've got to go to an ATM

and get more money cash for one month it is going

to shift how you think about what you buy starting today

one month today okay starting to that is that's on the to-do list now

that that'll get you a little bit of an emergency fund

but but i want to prioritize that debt first

because fifteen thousand dollars in debt at your age is still a lot of debt yeah

and that's not even including because i have my student loans

and i'm currently in school right now along with like a car loan so However, I have to tell you, first of all, you need the car to get to work.

So, you know, that's essential, probably, unless you're going to take the bus.

The other thing I have to say, and sometimes there isn't public transportation in certain communities.

The other thing I would say, you nailed it with nursing because it's so in demand.

That is a really good job.

And that is there's a shortage of nurses in this country and there will be a for a while.

And so you're going to be looking at great income in terms of nursing.

Yes, definitely.

I'm very proud of where I am.

So very grateful.

So good job there.

Good job.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Kayla.

Thank you so much.

Let's talk about the Buy Now, Pay Later services that Kayla mentioned.

What should young people know about these services?

This is what makes me nervous.

Okay.

On the one hand, I can tell you that they have these Buy Now, Pay Later's where they'll say a year without interest.

Yes.

You're going to buy it.

Yeah.

No payment for one year.

No interest.

Sounds good.

Enticing.

if you can be very disciplined about that.

So you're going to buy a refrigerator and you're not going to pay interest for one year.

Basically the float that you, the interest they're paying for in order to get you.

But what happens is most people aren't that disciplined.

The interest then comes and then it starts hitting you very, very hard.

And the numbers are very big.

That's why I don't love it.

So if you said to me, I bought the refrigerator, I paid it off in six months,

I never paid a dime of interest and I paid the refrigerator off full stop, we're good.

But if you say I bought the refrigerator, I got to the one year and then I started to pay the interest, I could promise you that interest is going to be very high.

Then you're going to be in that minimum payment scenario.

There's a reason they offer it to you.

They're getting paid back some way and they're going to get paid back in that interest.

The reason they're offering it to you is

because they're counting on you going through that year and then waiting and they can pay you.

I'm not a big fan.

Okay.

We have Madia joining us from Boston.

And I hear after you graduated last spring, you applied for over 300 jobs.

Wow.

What happened?

100

I, well, thank you so much.

101

It is a pleasure speaking with both you today.

102

So taking you back last year, after I had graduated, I was applying to jobs like nobody's business.

103

And I was able to get interviews.

104

However, they differed from what I had applied to.

105

So in a handful of circumstances, I would get on these interviews and it wasn't just the interviewer and I.

106

It was myself, them and a handful of other applicants. So that wasn't disclosed.

107

And then when they started describing the job positions, I realized that it also differed from what I had applied to.

108

So I had applied to a marketing position online and what they were describing were door to door sales.

109

So this happened in multiple different occasions.

110

And then there were also times where I was asked to do work projects as a part of the interview process.

111

And these work projects were unpaid and they would take hours or even days to complete.

112

And it may have been naive on my part.

113

You know, I really wanted to prove that I was a solid applicant

114

and that I had the skills for the job at hand.

115

So after turning in these projects, I was ghosted by a lot of companies.

116

So that was very discouraging and disheartening.

117

There was one circumstance where I was the top applicant.

118

I made it to a final round.

119

I spent a whole week working on a work project.

120

And they had told me all great things.

121

So about a week later, I got a call from the recruiter.

122

and he had simply told me that they went with another applicant who had more experience.

123

And so that just kind of hurt as it was an entry-level position.

124

And I had completed a lot of the work.

125

I ended up asking the recruiter for, you know, more feedback.

126

And once again, I was ghosted.

127

So with all of that said, I have come out on the other side.

128

I have a job now, but I know that my story is not unique.

129

There are so many other people in my generation and in others who are experiencing this or even worse right now.

130

And I do believe that my generation was raised on the premise that the American dream was still within reach.

131

That if we ended up going to college and obtaining a degree, that we would be able to get a good job and set ourselves up for success in the future.

132

And with this job market, I just feel like that system is no longer as accurate as it once was before.

133

So my question for you, Melody, is what advice would you give to my generation

134

when it comes to building a stable and successful future

135

while maintaining a healthy work-life balance and really just not living paycheck to paycheck?

136

Okay.

137

Can I ask one question?

138

How did you get the job that you have?

139

I had a networking connection.

140

And I really do believe that if I didn't have that connection, I very well could still be job searching.

141

Okay, great.

142

Because that would be one of the things that I would suggest just in terms of that job search.

143

It's not just about putting applications in online and hoping someone calls you back.

144

I think that takes the same amount of work as anything you would do.

145

And it's about who do you know?

146

So many people have referrals that will get you somewhere.

147

and the mere fact that it was a networking connection, I think that's more and more likely these days than not.

148

You might have a friend who has a great job and you would say, do you think there are any jobs available at your company?

149

Or is there anyone you could introduce me to at your company?

150

So I think that is a really, really good option if you're looking for a job that maybe everyone doesn't think about because they often think, well, who's going to help me and how could I,

151

what network do I have?

152

But it could just be a simple network of someone that you know who has a, who talks about their place of employment in a very positive way.

153

In terms of, I like to just be very authentic and real about these things.

154

When you're in your 20s, the work-like balance question, I think, is going to be challenged because those are heavy,

155

heavy work years of trying to put in the time to get points on the board

156

so that you have the opportunity to have the kind of freedom and success that you want over time.

157

But that first decade, it's a dues paying decade.

158

And so when I hear a nine to five, which seems to me pretty work life balance, that's 40 hours a week.

159

When I think of no work life balance, I think of 80 hours.

160

I think of 120.

161

I think of a very different lifestyle.

162

I think you have to ask yourself very and be very intellectually honest about what do you want.

163

So you can't have all of the things you want without making some trade-offs.

164

And you certainly can't have it all at one time.

165

Correct.

166

I think this is such an invaluable point you're making about work-life balance.

167

And I hear this a lot because I have girls in their 20s and

168

You don't have work-life balance when you're just starting out and you're 25.

169

There is no such thing.

170

Someone else controls your time.

171

That's the fact.

172

When you think of your 20s, how hard did you work?

173

I was working a hundred.

174

I remember once filling out my time sheet and I had 107 hours on, 107 hours.

175

And my boss says, well, you're not a team player.

176

I'm not a team player.

177

Yes, I think you should reduce the number of.. wanting me to not even take credit for the hours.

178

So I ended up doing that.

179

I ended up only putting in like 80 because to work 107 hours and get paid for 107 hours, they didn't want to pay me for 107 hours.

180

But the expectation was that I would show up and be there whenever needed.

181

We've all done that, 107 hours.

182

Still doing it.

183

And still doing it.

184

And still doing it.

185

Yeah, but that's why I said you have to decide.

186

I do think this generation has been fed some dream idea of work-life balance.

187

That just isn't real.

188

It's not real.

189

Now that I also I reject the concept because it implies when you're working, you're not living.

190

When you're living, you're not working.

191

You know, when people talk about that.

192

And I think you can have both, especially if you are doing something you really enjoy.

193

But I do think this idea of thinking that you'll have your weekends, you'll make a great living, all of these things all at once.

194

You'll have a job that you love.

195

Those early years are, as I said, those are hard, hard years for most people.

196

Thank you.

📺 Same Channel

✨ Recommend Video

197 sentences

The Financial Habits No One Talks About (But Everyone Needs)

Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students

71 sentences

She Made Over $20 Million Doing THIS

Business EnglishInterview EnglishUniversity Students

76 sentences

How to Manifest Wealth FAST | Manifestation Technique

Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

480 sentences

One Hour A Day Will Change Your Entire Life | Denzel Washington

Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

314 sentences

If you're trying to get RICH and in your 20s or 30s, please watch this.

Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

206 sentences

Why Is $500/Day So Difficult?

Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students

121 sentences

Why You Must Look Like a Loser to Escape the Rat Race

Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

160 sentences

i tracked every dollar i spent as a resident... its alot

Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students

196 sentences

12 little luxuries that cost $0 | live rich without being rich

Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students

32 sentences

The Single Biggest Financial Decision | Mel Robbins #shorts

Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

69 sentences

The Compound Effect of Small Habits

Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

185 sentences

8 Minimalist Habits That ACTUALLY Work (even if you're not a minimalist)

Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “The 50-Cent-a-Day Habit That Really CAN Build Wealth”. This video has 196 sentences and 2124 words to shadow. The speech runs for 11:20. The speaker talks fast, about 187 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 87% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.

Key vocabulary in this video

The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
paycheck noun	/ˈpeɪ.t͡ʃɛk/	A periodic payment, usually in the form of a paper check, received by an employee from an employer for work performed.
refrigerator noun	/ɹɪˈfɹɪd͡ʒ.əˌɹeɪ.tɚ/	A household or commercial appliance used for keeping food fresh by refrigeration (short form fridge).
applicant noun	/ˈæp.lə.kɪnt/	One who applies for something; one who makes a request; a petitioner.
circumstance noun	/ˈsɝ.kəmˌstæns/	Something which is related to, or in some way affects, a fact or event.
recruit verb	/ɹɪˈkɹut/	To enroll or enlist new members or potential employees on behalf of an employer, organization, sports team, the military, etc.
differ verb	/ˈdɪfɚ/	Not to have the same traits or characteristics; to be unalike or distinct.
handful noun	/ˈhæn(d)fʊl/	The amount that a hand will grasp or contain.
wallet noun	/ˈwɑl.ət/	A small case, often flat and often made of leather, for keeping money (especially paper money), credit cards, etc.
dishearten verb	/dɪsˈhɑɹ.tən/	To discourage someone by removing their enthusiasm or courage.
entice verb	/ɪnˈtaɪs/	To lure; to attract by arousing desire or hope.
intellectually adverb		In an intellectual manner.
prioritize verb	/pɹaɪˈɒɹ.ə.taɪz/	To value, do, or choose something first, or before other things.
scarcity noun	/ˈskɛɹsɪti/	The condition of something being scarce or deficient.
interviewer noun	/ˈɪntɚvjuɚ/	One who interviews.
invaluable adjective	/ɪnˈvælju(ə)bl̩/	Having great or incalculable value.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
end up verb		To bring to a conclusion.
fill out verb	/fɪl ˈaʊt/	To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information.
go through verb		To travel from one end of something to the other.
pay back verb	/peɪ bæk/	To pay (a debt or the lender) so as to provide the entire amount of money owed.
show up verb		To appear, arrive, or attend, especially suddenly or erratically.
start out verb		To emerge suddenly; to jump out.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

I love this because you've trained yourself.
People can't even tell me.
I'm very proud of where I am.
Can I ask one question?
How did you get the job that you have?

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	wasn't disclosed · was asked · was ghosted
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	you've trained · have come · has been fed

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 57 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, I'm, they're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “sh” and “zh” sounds: cushion /ˈkʊʃən/, shortage /ˈʃɔː(ɹ)tɪd͡ʒ/, expectation /ˌɛk.spɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/
Long words — get the stress right: refrigerator /ɹɪˈfɹɪd͡ʒ.əˌɹeɪ.tɚ/, prioritize /pɹaɪˈɒɹ.ə.taɪz/, invaluable /ɪnˈvælju(ə)bl̩/, expectation /ˌɛk.spɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like paycheck, refrigerator, applicant.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

Shadowing Practice: The 50-Cent-a-Day Habit That Really CAN Build Wealth - Learn English Speaking with Video

The Reality of Homelessness Most People Never See

Do Our Dogs Miss Us When We’re Away?

Why Sleep Is So Important - and What We’re Getting Wrong

The Differences Between Generations — And What They Mean for a Changing America

One Woman’s Search for Meaning Led Her to AI Delusion

Are We Getting Too Comfortable With Claude?

The Best Leaders All Start with This One Thing

How to Make Yourself Attractive to Anything You Want

Why Are So Many People Finding Stoicism in Our Modern Day?

The Lessons We Need to Learn from the Financial Crash of 1929

How writing this novel has helped Mara Brock Akil heal

How Does Money Factor into Your Life's Purpose

Ocean Vuong Shares with Oprah What She Meant to Him and His Mother

Adam Grant and Oprah Discuss Tapping Into Your Hidden Potential

Esther Perel Has a Lot to Say about People Dating Chatbots

Author Douglas Stuart Explores Faith and Desire in His Latest Novel

Finding Peace Through Family Estrangement

When does our technology use become an addiction?

Esther Perel on How Dating Has Changed over the Last 20 Years

Mara Brock Akil: We’re Responsible for Our Own Healing

The Financial Habits No One Talks About (But Everyone Needs)

She Made Over $20 Million Doing THIS

How to Manifest Wealth FAST | Manifestation Technique

One Hour A Day Will Change Your Entire Life | Denzel Washington

If you're trying to get RICH and in your 20s or 30s, please watch this.

Why Is $500/Day So Difficult?

Why You Must Look Like a Loser to Escape the Rat Race

i tracked every dollar i spent as a resident... its alot

12 little luxuries that cost $0 | live rich without being rich

The Single Biggest Financial Decision | Mel Robbins #shorts

The Compound Effect of Small Habits

8 Minimalist Habits That ACTUALLY Work (even if you're not a minimalist)

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

Key vocabulary in this video

Phrasal verbs you will hear

Sentences worth repeating

Grammar in this video

Pronunciation to watch

How to practise with this video

What is the Shadowing Technique?