Money is often a source of excitement, stress, and sometimes confusion. It’s a central part of our lives, but expressing our feelings about it can be tricky. Similes, which compare one thing to another using “like” or “as,” help make our thoughts about money clearer and more vivid. In this article, we will explore a variety of similes for money, offering fresh ways to talk about wealth, spending, saving, and everything in between. By the end, you’ll have a new perspective on money and the different ways we can express our relationship with it.
Similes for Money
1. Money as tight as a drum
Meaning: Money is very scarce or difficult to come by.
In a Sentence: When I lost my job, money was as tight as a drum, and I had to cut back on everything.
Other Ways to Say: Pennies are hard to come by, Strapped for cash
2. Money as heavy as a ton of bricks
Meaning: Money is overwhelming or burdensome.
In a Sentence: The cost of my new car felt like money as heavy as a ton of bricks, and it weighed on my mind for days.
Other Ways to Say: A financial burden, A weight on your shoulders
3. Money as easy as pie
Meaning: Making money is very easy.
In a Sentence: He started his own business, and suddenly, money was as easy as pie.
Other Ways to Say: Effortless earning, Rolling in the dough
4. Money as scarce as hen’s teeth
Meaning: Money is very hard to find or obtain.
In a Sentence: With my savings low, it felt like money was as scarce as hen’s teeth, and I had to work extra hours.
Other Ways to Say: As rare as a unicorn, Almost nonexistent
5. Money as free as air
Meaning: Money comes easily and is abundant.
In a Sentence: After getting the promotion, money felt as free as air, and I didn’t have to worry about my bills anymore.
Other Ways to Say: Overflowing with cash, Living without financial stress
6. Money as slippery as an eel
Meaning: Money is hard to keep or manage.
In a Sentence: Every time I save up a little, money slips away like it’s as slippery as an eel, and my savings disappear quickly.
Other Ways to Say: Evaporates quickly, Always disappearing
7. Money as cold as ice
Meaning: Money lacks warmth or emotion; it’s transactional and detached.
In a Sentence: The way he handed over the payment felt as cold as ice, with no warmth or care involved.
Other Ways to Say: Emotionless transaction, Unfeeling exchange
8. Money as sweet as honey
Meaning: Money is a pleasant and enjoyable thing to have.
In a Sentence: When I received the unexpected bonus, the money felt as sweet as honey, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
Other Ways to Say: Delightful wealth, Sweet as sugar
9. Money as light as a feather
Meaning: Money is not a burden, or the cost is minimal.
In a Sentence: The bill for the coffee was as light as a feather, and I barely noticed it when I paid.
Other Ways to Say: Easy to afford, No big deal financially
10. Money as full as a piggy bank
Meaning: Having a lot of money saved up or being financially secure.
In a Sentence: After working for months, my bank account was as full as a piggy bank, and I finally felt financially stable.
Other Ways to Say: Overflowing with savings, Account is bursting
11. Money as rich as Croesus
Meaning: Extremely wealthy, referencing the ancient King Croesus known for his vast wealth.
In a Sentence: He lives in a mansion and drives a sports car, clearly as rich as Croesus.
Other Ways to Say: Filthy rich, Rolling in wealth
12. Money as quick as a flash
Meaning: Money comes and goes quickly.
In a Sentence: After a big shopping spree, my money was as quick as a flash, and I couldn’t believe how fast it disappeared.
Other Ways to Say: Vanishing in an instant, Gone in a blink
13. Money as dirty as a street corner
Meaning: Money that is obtained through unethical or questionable means.
In a Sentence: Some people make money as dirty as a street corner by exploiting others for personal gain.
Other Ways to Say: Ill-gotten wealth, Unethical riches
14. Money as clean as a whistle
Meaning: Money that is earned in a legitimate and ethical manner.
In a Sentence: After months of hard work, the money I earned felt as clean as a whistle, and I was proud of every penny.
Other Ways to Say: Honestly earned, Pure wealth
15. Money as bright as gold
Meaning: Money that is very valuable or precious.
In a Sentence: Winning the lottery was as bright as gold, and I couldn’t believe my luck.
Other Ways to Say: Worth its weight in gold, Treasured riches
16. Money as smooth as silk
Meaning: Money is easy to acquire or spend, with no difficulties.
In a Sentence: After his investment paid off, making money was as smooth as silk, and he didn’t have a care in the world.
Other Ways to Say: Effortlessly smooth, Gliding through financially
17. Money as high as a kite
Meaning: Money is extremely abundant, or the value of something is very high.
In a Sentence: After the stock market surged, my investments were as high as a kite, and I couldn’t believe my good fortune.
Other Ways to Say: Through the roof, Off the charts
18. Money as tangled as a web
Meaning: Financial matters are complicated or messy.
In a Sentence: My student loans are as tangled as a web, and I don’t know where to begin paying them off.
Other Ways to Say: In a financial knot, A maze of money problems
19. Money as wild as the wind
Meaning: Money is unpredictable and uncontrollable.
In a Sentence: The way my business income fluctuates, money feels as wild as the wind, and I never know what to expect.
Other Ways to Say: Unstable finances, Unpredictable income
20. Money as smooth as butter
Meaning: Everything about handling money is easy and without effort.
In a Sentence: The payment process at the store was as smooth as butter, and I was in and out in no time.
Other Ways to Say: Seamless transaction, Effortless spending
21. Money as light as a feather
Meaning: Money that is very easy to earn or spend with no burden.
In a Sentence: The small tip I gave to the waiter felt as light as a feather; it didn’t make a dent in my wallet.
Other Ways to Say: Light on the pocket, Small expenditure
22. Money as dry as a desert
Meaning: Having no money or very little money available.
In a Sentence: After all my bills were paid, my bank account was as dry as a desert, and I couldn’t afford anything.
Other Ways to Say: Flat broke, Empty pockets
23. Money as smooth as glass
Meaning: Financial transactions or savings that are uncomplicated and easy.
In a Sentence: My retirement savings have been growing as smoothly as glass, and I hardly have to worry about it.
Other Ways to Say: Clear financial plan, Uncomplicated wealth
24. Money as quick as lightning
Meaning: Money that is gained or spent rapidly.
In a Sentence: After the investment app update, money came in as quick as lightning, and I couldn’t believe my profit.
Other Ways to Say: Fast money, Instant cash
25. Money as precious as a diamond
Meaning: Money that is highly valuable and must be treated with care.
In a Sentence: The funds for my dream vacation were as precious as a diamond, and I didn’t want to waste a single cent.
Other Ways to Say: Worth more than gold, Invaluable savings
26. Money as hot as a potato
Meaning: Money that must be handled quickly or is urgent.
In a Sentence: The bill for the repairs was as hot as a potato, and I had to pay it right away or face penalties.
Other Ways to Say: Urgent payment, Must-pay-now situation
27. Money as fast as a race car
Meaning: Money that is quickly earned or spent.
In a Sentence: Once I started my side hustle, money came in as fast as a race car, and I didn’t have to wait long for a paycheck.
Other Ways to Say: Rapid earnings, Quick return on investment
28. Money as strong as an ox
Meaning: A large sum of money or a financial position that is very secure.
In a Sentence: After years of working, my savings account is as strong as an ox, and I don’t have to worry about a rainy day.
Other Ways to Say: Financially stable, Rock-solid savings
29. Money as empty as a wallet on payday
Meaning: A situation where there is no money left, usually after spending.
In a Sentence: After a weekend of shopping, my bank account was as empty as a wallet on payday.
Other Ways to Say: Cleaned out, Spent it all
30. Money as small as a crumb
Meaning: A very small amount of money.
In a Sentence: My paycheck this week was as small as a crumb, barely enough to cover my lunch.
Other Ways to Say: Tiny sum, Barely anything
31. Money as green as grass
Meaning: Referring to money that is freshly earned or newly obtained.
In a Sentence: After I signed the contract, the money was as green as grass, and I couldn’t wait to start spending.
Other Ways to Say: Fresh funds, Newly gained wealth
32. Money as rich as a king
Meaning: Extremely wealthy, like royalty.
In a Sentence: With the success of his new business, he was as rich as a king and could afford anything he wanted.
Other Ways to Say: Royal wealth, Majestic fortune
33. Money as hot as fire
Meaning: Money that is highly sought after or urgent.
In a Sentence: The sale at the store was as hot as fire, and everyone rushed in to grab the deals.
Other Ways to Say: In-demand money, Fast-moving cash
34. Money as pure as gold
Meaning: Money that is honest or comes from a legitimate source.
In a Sentence: I earned my first paycheck working at the charity, and the money felt as pure as gold.
Other Ways to Say: Honest earnings, Guilt-free income
35. Money as tough as nails
Meaning: Money that is difficult to part with, often referring to saving or budgeting.
In a Sentence: Saving for a house down payment was as tough as nails, but I managed to stick to my budget.
Other Ways to Say: Reluctant to spend, Hard to part with
36. Money as wild as a bull
Meaning: Money that comes in large, uncontrolled amounts.
In a Sentence: The profits from the new project were as wild as a bull, and I had to find a way to manage them quickly.
Other Ways to Say: Overflowing wealth, Unmanageable money
37. Money as slippery as oil
Meaning: Money that is hard to keep hold of or manage.
In a Sentence: After spending all my savings, money felt as slippery as oil, and I couldn’t hold on to any of it.
Other Ways to Say: Elusive wealth, Slips through your fingers
38. Money as sweet as chocolate
Meaning: Money that is very enjoyable or easy to acquire.
In a Sentence: The bonus I received at work was as sweet as chocolate, and I treated myself to a nice dinner.
Other Ways to Say: Delicious wealth, Treat-yourself money
39. Money as deep as the ocean
Meaning: Money that is plentiful and seemingly endless.
In a Sentence: His inheritance was as deep as the ocean, and he never seemed to run out of cash.
Other Ways to Say: Infinite wealth, Boundless fortune
40. Money as dirty as a swamp
Meaning: Money obtained through unethical or corrupt means.
In a Sentence: I learned that his fortune was as dirty as a swamp, made through dishonest deals and exploitation.
Other Ways to Say: Corrupt wealth, Ill-gotten gains
41. Money as thin as paper
Meaning: Money that is very scarce or insufficient.
In a Sentence: My savings were as thin as paper, and I had to make every dollar stretch as much as possible.
Other Ways to Say: Barely enough, Scraping by
42. Money as tight as a vice
Meaning: Money that is difficult to access or use, often because of strict budgeting.
In a Sentence: After the bills were paid, my money was as tight as a vice, and I couldn’t afford anything else.
Other Ways to Say: Restrained funds, Tight-fisted spending
43. Money as shallow as a puddle
Meaning: A small amount of money that is quickly spent or easily depleted.
In a Sentence: The tip I left was as shallow as a puddle, and it didn’t make much of a difference to the waiter.
Other Ways to Say: Insufficient amount, Barely noticeable sum
44. Money as bright as the sun
Meaning: Money that is abundant and noticeable.
In a Sentence: After winning the jackpot, my bank account was as bright as the sun, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
Other Ways to Say: Radiant wealth, Glowing finances
45. Money as dry as a bone
Meaning: Having no money or being completely broke.
In a Sentence: After paying for the car repairs, my wallet was as dry as a bone, and I had to rely on credit until payday.
Other Ways to Say: Empty bank account, Financially drained
46. Money as quick as a cheetah
Meaning: Money that is earned or spent at lightning speed.
In a Sentence: I found a great deal online, and the money left my account as quick as a cheetah.
Other Ways to Say: Fast-moving money, Instant transaction
47. Money as full as a Christmas turkey
Meaning: Having a lot of money, often associated with abundance.
In a Sentence: After receiving a big bonus at work, my savings were as full as a Christmas turkey.
Other Ways to Say: Overflowing wealth, Brimming with cash
48. Money as tight as a glove
Meaning: Money that is difficult to manage or save, often used when funds are scarce.
In a Sentence: My budget was as tight as a glove, and I had to make sure every dollar counted.
Other Ways to Say: Restrained spending, Close-fisted finances
49. Money as big as a whale
Meaning: A large amount of money.
In a Sentence: His inheritance was as big as a whale, and he had no problem buying whatever he wanted.
Other Ways to Say: Massive fortune, Huge wealth
50. Money as fast as a speeding bullet
Meaning: Money that is spent or gained very quickly.
In a Sentence: The payment for the job came in as fast as a speeding bullet, and I was able to buy what I needed right away.
Other Ways to Say: Lightning-fast earnings, Instant money flow
51. Money as cold as a stone
Meaning: Money that is detached or lacks emotional warmth.
In a Sentence: His offer to help was as cold as a stone, and he seemed more focused on the financial side than anything else.
Other Ways to Say: Unfeeling transaction, Emotionless exchange
52. Money as loose as a goose
Meaning: Money that is easily spent or spent recklessly.
In a Sentence: After getting my tax refund, I treated myself, and money was as loose as a goose, slipping away before I knew it.
Other Ways to Say: Carefree spending, Reckless financial habits
53. Money as stubborn as a mule
Meaning: Money that refuses to be earned or comes with great difficulty.
In a Sentence: Earning enough to cover all my bills felt as stubborn as a mule, and it took me months of hard work.
Other Ways to Say: Hard-earned, Financially challenging
54. Money as green as grass
Meaning: Fresh, new money or a new source of income.
In a Sentence: After starting my online business, the money was as green as grass, and it felt like a whole new beginning.
Other Ways to Say: New wealth, Fresh earnings
55. Money as fast as a windstorm
Meaning: Money that is quickly gained or quickly lost.
In a Sentence: My lottery winnings came in as fast as a windstorm, and just as quickly, they were gone.
Other Ways to Say: Quick money, Fleeting wealth
56. Money as tangled as a ball of yarn
Meaning: Financial matters that are complex or confusing.
In a Sentence: Trying to sort out my taxes felt like dealing with money as tangled as a ball of yarn, and it was hard to make sense of everything.
Other Ways to Say: Complicated finances, A maze of bills
57. Money as safe as a vault
Meaning: Money that is secure and protected.
In a Sentence: I’ve saved up enough for retirement, and my money is as safe as a vault in my long-term investments.
Other Ways to Say: Secure wealth, Protected saving
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the most fitting simile:
- After I bought the new car, my bank account was as _______ as a bone.
- The funds from my side hustle came in as _______ as lightning, and I didn’t have to wait long.
- My savings account is as _______ as a Christmas turkey, and I’m feeling financially secure.
- The payment for the freelance job was as _______ as a speeding bullet, and I was able to pay the bills right away.
- When I checked my bank balance, it was as _______ as a stone, and I realized I needed to save more.
Answers
dry, quick, full, fast, cold
Conclusion
Similes for money give us a fun and creative way to describe our financial experiences. Whether you’re talking about the wealth in your bank account or the speed at which your cash flows, these comparisons help bring your financial situation to life. Keep experimenting with these similes, and soon you’ll have a colorful vocabulary to describe your financial world!