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Views #796 | Intermediate 5

Cash or Credit

Anita and Todd discuss using cash or credit cards to buy things.

Script
Vocab
Quiz


Anita	Todd

Todd: So, Anita, we're talking about money. When you go shopping, do you prefer to pay by cash or credit card?

Anita: You know, there are times when I prefer paying by credit card because it makes me feel better because at the end of the day, I don't feel like I spent that money.

Todd: Right, right.

Anita: Because if I pay by cash, that money is gone out of your wallet, and you really feel it missing, so there are times when I prefer credit cards. There are times when I prefer cash, but if you look at it in the long run, I prefer cash because you know exactly what your financial situation is. You don't have to worry about getting a credit card bill at the end of the month, and not being able to pay it, so I would say I prefer cash.

Todd: You know, I used to think exactly like you do, but I changed because I found that when I was using cash, I couldn't keep track of how I was spending my money. I really had no record. I couldn't keep the receipts. I would lose the receipts, so a friend of mine said you should do everything on credit card or debit card and then it's on the computer. You can check, and then you could buy software and you can keep track of your finances and I did it and it works. It's really good, like I'm more careful with my money because I know exactly what I am spending on and I can check it.

Anita: That's true. That's true, and I do something similar except I don't have computer software for it but I have a little cash book where I write my expenses.

Todd: You mean writing, actual work.

Anita: I.. yes actual work: pen and paper, but for me that works better because if I use my credit card unlike you, I lose track of my spending. I forget when I use the credit card, when I didn't use it and it's much easier for me to buy things with a credit card. If you have cash in your wallet and the cash is not enough to buy whatever you want, you know that you cannot afford it, but with a credit card, that is not there so sometimes you tend to overspend and buy things you don't actually need.

Todd: True, that is a good point. I guess the key thing is to be careful.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

at the end of the day

There are times when I prefer paying by credit card because it makes me feel better because at the end of the day, I don't feel like I spent that money.

'At the end of the day' is a phrase that it used to summarize what you have said previously and your overall feeling about it now.

Notice the following:

At the end of the day, if you don't have the money, then you can't spend it.
At the end of the day, I just don't think that she likes me.

in the long run

If you look at it in the long run, I prefer cash because you know exactly what your financial situation is.

'In the long run' how things will be in the future because of your actions now. You are thinking about the effects of what you do now on your future situation.

Notice the following:

In the long run, you need to make sure that you have made provisions for your retirement.
In the long run, I need to make sure that I can afford to give up work.

keep track

I found that when I was using cash, I couldn't keep track of how I was spending my money.

When you 'keep track' of something, it means that you keep a record of it.

Notice the following:

I keep track of how many calories I eat each day, and it helps me to lose weight.
Do you keep track of how much money you spend each week?

lose track

If I use my credit card, unlike you, I lose track of my spending.

When you 'lose track' of something, it means that you lose count of something and you don't know your position now.

Notice the following:

I lose track really easily if I don't write things down.
I will completely lose track of the time if I don't wear a watch.

the key thing

I guess the key thing is to be careful.

The 'key thing' is the pivotal point or the most important thing. Notice the following:

The key thing is to make sure that you are happy.
I think the key thing is to make sure that you do not spend more money than you have.

Vocabulary Quiz

end • the long run • keep
lost • key thing

Do you track of how many miles you drive your car each week?
I have to start counting again, because I completely track of what the total number was.
So, in do you think you made a good decision?
The that they are looking for in an employee is experience.
It might be a lot of work right now, but at the of the day, you'll be happy you took these classes.