Ñèñòåìà Orphus

25                                                             Everyday Conversational Expressions                                           Finances

 

Contents  Next  Previous  Print

 

* 25 Finances

 

25.1   When you are concerned about your expenses

 

I have to control my spending.   Listen   <“I’m on a fixed income while my expenses are not limited. I have to control my spending to make ends meet.”>

I have to watch my spending.   Listen   <“Prices are gradually going up. I have to watch my spending.”>

I need to watch my money.   Listen   <“I like shopping, and I make payments with a credit card. I need to watch my money.”>

I need to watch my pennies.   Listen   <“Basic things have started to cost more and more. I need to watch my pennies.”>

I've got to watch every dime.   Listen   <“Times are tough, prices are high, and I’m not working full time any more. I’ve got to watch every dime.”>

I've got to keep tabs on expenditures.   Listen   A “I need to have expenditures bookmarked. I need to watch expenditures closely.”   <“My recent purchasing habits weren’t necessarily an example of frugality. I’ve got to keep tabs on expenditures.”>

I've got to start budgeting my money.   Listen   <“I spent too much last month. I’ve got to start budgeting my money.”>

I've got to save my pennies.   Listen   <“I want to make a down payment on a new car. I’ve got to save my pennies.”>

I've got to tighten my belt.   Listen   A “I have to spend less because my income has decreased.”   <“I’m working four days a week now. I’ve got to tighten my belt.”>

I have to cut back on expenses.   Listen   A “I have to decrease my expenses.”   <“My rent has gone up this month. I have to cut back on expenses.”>

I have to keep track of my expenses more closely.   Listen   <“My part-time job doesn’t pay well. I have to keep track of my expenses more closely. That’s the only way to make ends meet.”>

I have to make ends meet.   Listen   A “I have to make enough money to pay for my basic expenses.”   <“I’m working at two jobs now. I have to make ends meet.”>

Now I'm on a strict budget.   Listen   <“I bought a new car in view of a pay raise. Instead, the company lowered my wages. Now I am on a strict budget.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

25.2   When a person is not frugal with money

 

You're living beyond your means.   Listen   A “You are spending more than you can afford.”   <“Son, I can help you financially a little bit, but not if you spend your money on luxury items. You are living beyond your means.”>

You might as well flush it down the toilet.   Listen   A “You are spending your money as if you are trying to get rid of it.”   <“Your extravagant lifestyle costs you a lot of money. You might as well flush it down the toilet.”>

You spend money as if it were going out of style.   Listen   A “You spend money as if it is going to be worthless.”   <“I can’t approve of your shopping habits. You spend money as if it were going out of style.”>

Don't spend it all in one place!   Listen   A “Don’t spend all your money all at once!”   <“Here is ten dollars for you, kids. Don’t spend it all in one place!”>

Don't let it burn a hole in your pocket.   Listen   A “You don’t need to spend it at once.”   <“You have started making some decent money. Don’t blow it, save some for a rainy day. Don’t let it burn a hole in your pocket.”>

Money doesn't grow on trees.   Listen   A “Money is hard to make, so be frugal.”   <“You send a check to every organization that asks you for help. I don’t think we can afford it any more. Money doesn’t grow on trees.”>

A fool and his money are soon parted.   Listen   A “A person who is not frugal will soon lose his money.”   <“Don’t fall into a credit card trap, don’t live beyond means. A fool and his money are soon parted.”>

Easy come, easy go.   Listen   A “This money came to me easily, and it went away easily.”   <“My sister makes her money fast. And she spends it even faster. Easy come, easy go.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

25.3   When a person is greedy

 

What a miser!   Listen   <“He is so stingy that mice don’t want to live in his house. What a miser!”>

What a tightwad!   Listen   <“He won’t give you snow in winter. What a tightwad!”>

The love of money is the root of all evil.   Listen   <“There are rumors that his wife divorced him over his greed. He is just a penny pincher. The love of money is the root of all evil.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

25.4   When you stop a person from being greedy

 

You can't take it with you.   Listen   A “You can’t take your wealth with you when you die.”   <“You can’t take it with you. Enjoy a good life if you can afford it.”>

 

25.5   When you are going to purchase an expensive thing

 

How much is this going to set me back?   Listen   A “How much will it cost me?”   <“It’s pretty expensive.” – “How much is it going to set me back?”>

I guess I can afford it.   Listen   <“Are you sure you can bear the expense of this thing without detriment to your financial situation?” – “I like this motorcycle. I guess I can afford it.”>

I'll dip into my savings.   Listen   <“How are you going to make a down payment on your purchase?” – “I’ll dip into my savings.”>

I've been saving up for this.   Listen   <“I see you really like this gizmo.” – “I’ve been saving up for this.”>

I've got enough saved up.   Listen   <“I remember you were strapped for cash a while ago. Do you have enough money now?” – “I’ve got enough saved up.”>

I've been saving for a rainy day.   Listen   <“How are you going to finance your purchase?” – “I’ve been saving for a rainy day.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

25.6   When you have gotten money by tricks

 

I was laughing all the way to the bank.   Listen   A “I was pleased to make money by deception.”   <“I was making oodles of money behind the back of my business partners. In public I kept complaining about my financial losses. I was laughing all the way to the bank.”>

I was laughing up my sleeve.   Listen   A “I was laughing in secret celebrating the success of my trickery.”   (used with up or in)   <“He looked happy when I reluctantly agreed on that deal. I was laughing up my sleeve. If he could only know what trap he was getting into.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

 Home  Contents   Topics   Contacts   Testimonials   Tell a Friend about PhraseTeacher.com   Audio Course “PhraseTeacher”

 


www.PhraseTeacher.com