1. Listen to Track 1. Circle the best answer.
Don wants to:
a … learn how to invest money.
b … talk about how to pay his debts.
c … find out how to make more money.
d … manage his money better.
Answers
d
Audioscripts
SUZANNE: Hello Don. I’m Suzanne Moore, your financial advisor. How may I help you, Don?
DON: I guess I just need some general help with money. My biggest problem is that I never seem to have any. I just don’t know where it goes. I’m not a big spendthrift, but I just can’t seem to make ends meet.
SUZANNE: I see. I’m sure I can help you with that. Now, tell me Don – do you have a job at all?
DON: Yeah – well, I’m an English Lit. major so I have a lot of work, but I work every afternoon at Pauline’s Pizza. I don’t think it’s enough, but if I, if I work any more I won’t have time to study.
SUZANNE: Hmm – that’s a dilemma, isn’t it? Here’s the first thing you need to do. You’re going to have to make a budget so that you can control your finances better.
DON: What do you mean?
SUZANNE: It’s easy – just take a piece of paper and write down everything you spend money on – food, rent, books, going out, music, whatever you spend your money on – your expenditure. And then on the other side, you write down what you could change and cut down on to save money.
DON: OK – I think I can do that. It sounds like a good idea.
2. Listen to Track 2 and complete the advisor’s notes.
Suzanne Moore – Independent Financial Advice
|
Spends now |
Ways to save |
|
Spends (a) $……………. per week on food. Goes to (c) ……………. four times a week. Spends (e) ……………. on rent. Buys (f) ……………. a week. Goes to the movies once a week. Eats in the (h) ……………. . |
Shop at (b) ……………. . Go (d) ……………. a week. Maybe find somewhere cheaper. Only buy one. Go (g) ……………. . Make a sandwich at home. |
3. Listen to Tracks 1 and 2 again. Complete these sentences with the words you hear.
a I’m not a big ………………………, but I just can’t seem to make ends meet.
b I’m an English Lit. ………………………, so I have a lot of work.
c Hmm. That’s a ………………………, isn’t it?
d You’re going to have to make a ……………………… .
e … whatever you spend your money on – your ……………………… .
f And then on the other side, you write down what you could change and ……………………… on to save money.
g How much money do you spend on ……………………… per week?
h It ……………………… from one week to the next, but I’d guess about $100.
i They often have good prices and ……………………… .
j … and try to share the expenses with your ……………………… .
Answers
2
a $100 b markers c the local store
d once e $500 f a couple of CDs
g once every two weeks h school cafeteria
3
a spendthrift b major c dilemma d budget
e expenditure f cut down g groceries h varies
i specials j roommates
Audioscripts
SUZANNE: OK. Let’s try it. How much money do you spend on groceries per week?
DON: Hmm. It varies from one week to the next, but I’d guess about $100.
SUZANNE: OK, that seems like rather a lot.
DON: Well, I usually go to the local store about four times a week and spend about $25.
SUZANNE: There’s your first problem. Try to go to markets – they often have good prices and specials. Perhaps you could go just once a week to a market. You should be able to cut your food bills in half.
DON: Sounds like a good idea.
SUZANNE: What about rent? How much do you spend on rent?
DON: $500. I share a place with two other people. It’s a cool place – we each have our own rooms and we have a nice common area and a great kitchen.
SUZANNE: Hmm. You could find something cheaper, but it might not be as nice. You’ll have to think about that.
DON: OK. I think I don’t want to do that.
SUZANNE: What about going out and entertainment?
DON: Well, I buy a couple of CDs every week.
SUZANNE: You could cut back to one.
DON: I go to the movies once a week.
SUZANNE: Make it once every two weeks. What about eating out?
DON: I eat in the school cafeteria most days.
SUZANNE: Why not make your own food instead? Make yourself a sandwich at home. It’s much cheaper – and try to share the expenses with your roommates.
DON: They cook worse than I do, but I guess we could all work on it.
SUZANNE: See. These are just a few rips to help you save a little money.
DON: Yeah, thanks, Suzanne. I may even be able to make a little investment for my future.
SUZANNE: That’s a good idea – you’re never too young to start thinking about an investment. Perhaps we can talk about that sometime soon …
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