* 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.”>
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.”>
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.”>
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.”>
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.”>
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