Are You Saving up for Anything?

	Walter What was the last big purchase you made?
	Arisa I upgraded my phone recently. I shopped around for a deal and found a really good price. How about you?
	Walter I just bought a new laptop. I'd been saving up for about eight months to get it. Are you saving up for anything right now?
	Arisa Yeah, my husband and I are putting money aside for a vacation next year. We're planning to spend a few weeks in Europe, and it's something we've been really looking forward to.
	Walter That's nice! Have your spending habits changed over time?
	Arisa Yeah I never used to put money aside, and I used to treat myself to all sorts of things. Now I budget, track my expenses and try to avoid impulse buying — which is not always easy! How about you?
	Walter I've gotten way more frugal over the years, too. I save most of my money now and I've even got an emergency fund.
	Arisa That's wise. What's the best financial advice you've heard?
	Walter Probably just to start saving for retirement as early as possible. My parents also told me to stay out of debt if I can avoid it.
	Arisa My parents said the same thing! What would you do if you won the lottery?
	Walter I'd probably donate a large part of it, and maybe invest the rest.

Check Your Understanding

What was the last big purchase that Walter made?

What is Arisa saving up for right now?

How does Walter spend his money these days?

Find and correct the mistake in each sentence. Be careful — not all sentences have a mistake!

My wife and I put money asides every month.

Have your spending habits change over time?

We've been tried to cut our expenses lately.

I've never invested in anything.

What was the last big purchase you made?

What's the best financial advise you've heard?

There are some organizations we would like to donate to.

I've save up enough to upgrade my phone.

Read the dialogue aloud with your tutor and fill in the blanks. You will be James. Use the Answer Pool below to help you.

	Kyoko Adachi What was the last big purchase you made?
	James We finally (1) our old car last month! It took us a year to (2) up enough for a new one. How about you? Have you made any big purchases lately?
	Kyoko Adachi It's not a purchase exactly, but we've recently renovated our kitchen. Are you saving up for anything else at the moment?
	James Yeah, we're (3) money aside for a new couch for our living room. My partner is really good at (4) and making a savings plan.
	Kyoko Adachi Sounds organized. Have your spending habits changed over time?
	James I've learned to cut unnecessary (5) here and there. It's amazing how much you can save by cooking at home, for example!
	Kyoko Adachi Definitely! What's the best financial advice you've heard?
	James Well, probably just to stay out of (6). And another good one my friend suggested is making sure to have an emergency (7). You never know when you'll need it.
	Kyoko Adachi So true. What would you do if you won the lottery?
	James The first thing I'd do is pay off my student loans! Then I'd probably (8) a portion of it and set some aside for my kids' education.

Choose answers from the options below that fit in blanks 1 to 8

Answer Pool (Questions 1-8)

Have a conversation based on these questions. Don't forget to ask your tutor some questions too!