Unit 14 Money Matters
1.Listen,read and practice in pairs.
LiMeng and Xiaohong need to open a bank account.
They are now in a bank with Mrs.Davis.
Clerk:Good morning!Can I help you?
Mrs.Davis:Yes.We are here to open a bank account.
These two kids--LiMeng and his sister Xiaohong have come from China
and they'd like to open a bank account.
Clerk:I can help them with that!
Mrs.Davis:If they each open an account,
I think it will be more convenient for them.
Xiaohong:Yeah.I want to keep my own money.
LiMeng:I think that should be OK.
Clerk:Now,we have a special account that is designed for 12-15 years old.
Here is a brochure.You can keep it.
Xiaohong:Can I read it first?
Clerk:Don't worry.Here's another one for you.
LiMeng:Let me see.No account keeping fees,keycard access to cash 24 hours a day,
linked to a savings account...Well,these things really look confusing.
Clerk:Here,let me explain it to you.
The first means that you don't have to pay money
for everything our bank does for you.
The keycard is a bank card you can use to get money from an ATM.
It is linked to a savings account which allows you
to use your savings for spending money when you need to.
Mrs.Davis:You see these are specially designed for teenagers.
They help you manage your money wisely and easily.
Xiaohong:I think that keycard is a good idea.
I don't want to run to a bank that's far away each time I need money.
Clerk:That's right.But for that,we need an OK from your guardian.
Now,will you two just fill out these application forms and.....
5.Listen,read and talk in pairs.
LiMeng is surprised to discover how much
and is talking about it with another Chinese boy Chang Song.
LiMeng:You know what?I spent nearly two thousand dollars last month.
I can't believe it,Gee,that's a lot.What did you buy?
LiMeng:Well,I didn't buy much.You see,I gave $ 1,400 to Mrs.Davis,
now that's to cover room and board for my sister and I;
then,I bought some books and CDs.
Oh,I bought a T-shirt and some pants the other day.What else?
Chang:What about the bus and phone calls?
LiMeng:That's right.I forgot about the bus fares and those phone cards.
Chang:I remember seeing you buy snacks from the school canteen.
LiMeng:Yeah,but that shouldn't cost that much.
Chang:You don't even know where your money went.
You need to do something about it.
9.Listen,read adn discuss.
Check your financial quotient(FQ)
Everybody know that IQ stands for Intelligence Quotient
and some of you might even know what your IQ is.
More recently,there have been many articles and books written about our EQ
or Emotinonal Quotient and if you are interested in it,
you might even take a test and find out what your EQ is.
But what is your EQ?It's your Financial Quotient.
FQ is your wisdom to build wealth and be financially successful.
Some people claim that a high IQ helps a person save money.
With a high EQ,one is able to live through very diffcult times.
But only a high FQ can help one grow wealth.
People of high IQs may have low FQs.
Some bright,intelligent,educated people may be suffering from low FQs
because they seldom have a business plan,never make budgets,
rarely pay attention to their expenses and negotiate discounts.
On the other hand,even though some people don't have a high level of education
they have high FQs and make a success of their business.
Bill Gates and Michael Dell are perfect examples.
Fortunately,unlike IQ,one can greatly improve his or her FQ
by going to a business school or even a FQ training centre.
Through the necessary education on financial management,
one can handle his or her financial matters more efficiently and effectively,
and this may lead to business success.
12.Listen and practice in pairs.
Mrs.Davis is in the kitchen with LiMeng and Xiaohong.
She is telling them how to become money-wise.
LiMeng:Can I ask you something,Mrs.Davis?
Mrs.Davis:Of course,dear.What is it?
LiMeng:I seem to be spending a lot of money but I don't know where my money went.
Mrs.Davis:Good question.Daniel used to have that problem too.
I think you need to draw up plan for your spending each month.
LiMeng:Like a list?
Mrs.Davis:Yes.You write down how much money you plan
to spend on what each month adn then stick to it.
I always keep notes of my spending.You can try that too.
Xiaohong:Good idea.I always think you should be more careful with your money.
Mrs.Davis:I think he is,dear.Everyone has to learn how to be money-wise.