gravel / cash
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gravel
Broken, angular stones of different sizes that are used in construction, especially in road and railway construction, as a base or surface.
Die Einfahrt zum Haus wurde mit einer neuen Schicht Schotter befestigt.
The driveway to the house was reinforced with a new layer of gravel.
'Schotter' (gravel/cash) is an uncountable noun, or mass noun, in both meanings. It is therefore always used in the singular, even when a large amount is meant, and it has no plural form.
Für den neuen Gartenweg brauchen wir noch viel Schotter.
We still need a lot of gravel for the new garden path.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If it is about construction, paths, or tracks, stones are meant. If it is about costs, wealth, or paying, it colloquially means money.
Unter den Eisenbahnschienen liegt eine dicke Schicht Schotter.
There is a thick layer of gravel under the railway tracks.
The meaning 'Geld' (money) is purely colloquial. In formal or written contexts, you should avoid using this word for money.
Mit diesem Job macht er richtig Schotter.
He makes real cash with this job.
In a construction context, 'Schotter' (gravel) is often used with verbs like 'auffüllen' (to fill up), 'befestigen' (to reinforce/pave), or 'verlegen' (to lay). Common combinations also include 'ein Weg aus Schotter' (a gravel path) or 'eine Piste aus Schotter' (a gravel track).
Wir müssen die Einfahrt mit neuem Schotter auffüllen.
We have to fill up the driveway with new gravel.
money
'das Geld' and 'der Schotter' can both mean money. 'Geld' is the normal, neutral word and fits official, private, and factual situations. 'Schotter' is colloquial and sounds casual. It is used more among friends or in informal conversations, often when talking about a lot of money. In formal situations, such as at the bank, in a contract, or at a government office, 'Schotter' is not appropriate. Also, 'Schotter' has another meaning as gravel or stones; in this relation, however, it is only about the colloquial meaning for money.
Mein Freund sagt, der alte Wagen bringt beim Verkauf noch etwas Schotter.
My friend says the old car will still bring in a bit of cash when sold.
Für die neue Waschmaschine müssen wir noch etwas Geld sparen.
We still need to save some money for the new washing machine.