You use this proverb to tell someone that he/she shouldn't waste money or
there is not enough money to buy something expensive.
If someone says, "Money doesn't grow on trees,"
he/she means that it is not easy to earn money, so it is valuable, and you
have only a limited amount of money. You should be careful how much money you
spend.
A: "Mom, can I buy a new dress?"
B: "We can't afford one now. Money doesn't grow on trees."
Our lab computers are getting old, but we can't afford to buy new ones this
semester.
Money doesn't grow on trees, you know.
Picture:

This picture was drawn by Erika Aoyama on November 27, 2002
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Last modified on December 4, 2002