Money

According to the 1970’s film, Cabaret, money makes the world go round.  Is this true?

Is it true we can have everything if we have money ?  Can money buy happiness, health, love.  Controversially, the answer is yes.

I asked a British friend of mine this question the other night, and their cryptic answer was: ‘Well, we don’t make things with potatoes any longer’.  I’m not sure exactly what he meant by that, but I think he is saying that money is more important than potatoes.

Maybe, you agree, or strongly disagree, with this opinion, or maybe you’re in two minds about it.  Whichever it is, money can be very useful.

VOCABULARY

What words can you think of when you hear the word MONEY?

• Spend, save, earn, deposit, invest, change, currency, credit card, online shopping, bank, the sales, poor, skint………….

Where do we put or save money?

• In the bank, in a piggy bank, in a purse, under the mattress, in a safe, in an off-shore account, in my pocket

Vocabulary Challenge:

Do you know what these things are called in English?

Do you know what verbs connect with each noun? F

or example: Cash Machine. and Take out.  Yesterday, I took out some money from the cash machine.

Post your answers in the REPLY box.

Remember: improve your vocabulary by connecting words to SITUATIONS.

Lists of words are easy to write, but very difficult to remember.

Idioms and Expressions which can describe people who are RICH or POOR.

TO BE RICH	TO BE POOR
To be stinking rich	To be broke
To be filthy rich	To be hard up
To be loaded	To be brassic
To be rolling in it	To be as poor as a church mouse
	To be skint

READING

How do you save money?

Spending money is easy; saving money is a different ‘kettle of fish’!

Yes, saving money is easier said than done.  In addition, it all sounds really boring and dull.  Financial advisers, often give the following advice.

1. Stop spending
2. Cut up your credit cards
3. Pay off your debt
4. Keep a record of your monthly expenditure
5. Stop buying lottery tickets – it won’t be you (now that’s just NEGATIVE!)
6. Eat rice 5 days a week
7. Blah, blah, blah

Really!  Surely, that’s just stating the obvious isn’t it!  All of us could suggest the above.  So, the first thing I’m doing on my SAVE MONEY list is: ‘Stop paying fees to financial advisers’

My next step is to use the Internet to find out some other, more creative, ways of spending less than I earn.

Great, I have found 3 BRILLIANT WAYS TO ECONOMIZE

1: Don’t buy bleach or wall cleaner, use stale white bread instead. This video is completely mental. I can’t believe that someone isn’t pulling my leg!  Click here

2: Start an allotment with a friend and grow your own fruit and vegetables. Growing fruit and vegetables can easily cut down your grocery bill, and as it’s physically demanding you can cancel your gym membership at the same time and reduce your monthly outgoings. Kill two birds with one stone – excellent!

3: Sell or swap your stuff online.  I know this isn’t as popular in Spain as it is in the UK, but there are tons of online sites where you can flog your junk.  The most popular websites that I know of are:

1. Secondhand .com: http://www.segundamano.es/
2. Ebay:www.ebay.es/

Have you got any tips or advice on how to save money?  If so, post them because  I need as much help as possible.

The BBC Capital Hill website has given me some ideas.  To buy or not to buy that is the question.

LISTENING

VIDEO: Jerry Maguire: SHOW ME THE MONEY

The agent says: What can I do for you?

The football player says: It’s a very personal, a very important thing, are you ready? S… M. T…  M… Check it out

SONG LYRICS: ABBA: MONEY MONEY MONEY

It is said that Abba had the right idea:

‘In my dreams I have a plan.  If I got me a wealthy man.  I wouldn’t have to work at all, I’d fool around and have a ball.  Money, money, money.’ 

What do you think? Do you agree with Abba? Check out the lyrics; sing along; dance around your house and feel the money!

SPEAKING

1. What would you do if you won the lottery?
2. If you found a million Euros in a bag, and you knew you wouldn’t be caught would you, hand it into the police, or take the first flight to Borra Borra?
3. What’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought?
4. Do you agree with the following statement: Buy cheap, buy twice.

WRITING

You are saving up to go on holiday to Borra Borra.  The flight and accommodation cost an arm and a leg so you need to make some money quickly.  Your friend recommends that you sell some stuff on eBay.  Despite a few reservations, you have decided to give it a go.

Your first step is to write individual eBay adverts for the three things you are selling. You have to include relevant information about:

THE PRODUCT:  For example:  the size, age, shape, colour, pattern,origin, material and purpose.

SELLERS COMMENT: For example: the reason someone should buy it and any delivery conditions.

eBay Advert Example:

The Product: Gorgeous, new sleeveless black cotton party dress. Size 8-14. Removable belt. Available in different colours.

Seller’s Comment: This dress is so versatile it can be worn when catching up with friends, or dress it up with a pair of elegant earrings and wear it for a formal occasion.  Be a Prince Charming and buy it for your girlfriend.  Bid on this beautiful item or don’t delay and buy it now for £30.00.

You are selling the following three things.  Don’t be shy, post your adverts in the reply box.  I love all of this stuff and would definitely bid on the phone.