Hi everyone, welcome back to Natural English with Nick.
I hope you're all doing well staying in shape, working hard but always finding some time to relax and, of course, learn English, which I can't recommend enough.
Today we're going to discuss some vocabulary related to money how to spend it, how to save it, and some slang words that you'll likely hear out of a native speaker's mouth the next time you chat with your friends in English or simply pull up Netflix and watch something in your pajamas.
There's a partial transcription for today's episode available on my website in the description below.
I'll soon be providing full transcriptions, along with extra content, on my Patreon page, so be sure to check that out, and I'll share more details about that in the next episode.
Let's get down to business.
So I got a short story here that we're going to go through together so I can better contextualize these words and expressions for you guys.
The story is about our friend Martin who wants to buy a house with his girlfriend, Victoria.
And the two are a little stressed because, well, they're already pretty strapped financially.
To be strapped means you have just enough money to get by.
To make ends meet.
Victoria loves Martin but isn't sure if she's ready to buy a house together.
I should make it clear that Martin and his girlfriend Victoria usually get along great.
They fight very little and in general are pretty laid back people.
It's just this whole getting a house thing that has Victoria a little worried.
Understandably of course.
I mean, Martin just manages his father's bakery on the fiery side of the city the self-proclaimed best bakery in town, as his father calls it.
And then there's victoria, who works at a hip ice cream shop downtown called drip, where just eight months ago, martin stumbled in with a hankering for something sweet.
That day, martin left the shop with not only a double scoop of ice cream and vanilla swirl, but also Victoria's number written on the accompanying napkin.
After their first date by the river, following some delicious Korean barbecue, the two hit it off ever since.
To hit it off means to get along great.
Martin has always been a spender.
He blows his money on almost everything that catches his eye.
Last week Martin even bought himself a pair of Gucci flip flops just because he thought they sounded cool in a song.
Victoria on the other hand has always been a saver.
Maybe you could even say a compulsive cheapskate.
Ever since Victoria got a minimum wage job, she has been putting away money like crazy and avoiding every opportunity to spend.
They sound perfect for each other, right?
I mean, what's romance without a little drama?
One day after a long day at work, Victoria and Martin get into a big fight because of Martin's excessive spending.
Martin says that he just loves the finer things in life like Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses and Versace cologne.
He argues that it makes him feel fulfilled.
Victoria, being the sympathetic and forgiving woman she is, says well, if you promise to cut back on your spending and stick to a reasonable budget.
She goes on to say It doesn't make sense to keep paying so much money in rent just to live with no future return of investment.
We're not gaining equity, Martin.
Don't you understand that?
Martin nodded.
He never thought about it that way.
He has always just wanted a house, because his parents were spenders like him, had terrible credit and could never afford one.
Plus, his favorite show is MTV Cribs, so getting a house has always been on his consumer's bucket list.
After several months of hard work, picking up extra shifts at their jobs...
Victoria and Martin are finally beginning to seriously consider getting the place they've always wanted.
Martin's bank account barely budged those whole long months and Victoria was happy for him.
He seemed like a changed man.
Victoria could really see the difference when it came to buying stuff at the grocery store, for example.
Martin took to paying cash instead of using his debit card, so he could more easily see the money leave his possession.
Martin stopped making unnecessary weekly online purchases.
He even began to sell the stuff that he didn't need, like his dusty guitar he hasn't touched in years, his luxurious Versace bathrobe and his brand new motorcycle he just bought two months ago.
Victoria was shocked and giddy to start a new chapter of her life with Martin.
A few short weeks later of viewing houses, going to open houses and pestering real estate agents, victoria and martin came across the perfect place.
It is a modern two-story house with a two-car garage, a recently renovated kitchen and an open concept front room.
There is even a patio in the backyard to have campfires in the summer, a shed for martin's toys and a garden to grow vegetables so Victoria can save money on groceries.
The house is just a 10 minute drive from downtown, so they can easily go out with friends on weekends and get to their jobs in little time.
On the flip side, the bathrooms were a little outdated and the basement is unfinished.
Good thing Victoria is a very handy person and she enjoys doing renovations.
Martin, eh, not so much.
After talking to the real estate agent about the details of the house, Victoria and Martin determined that, since the house is going for about 350000 on the market, the two of them need to come up with 15 down to avoid paying additional fees.
To put money down means simply to pay a bit of money up front.
Victoria and Martin decided to go to a bank to compare rates and see where they could get the best deal possible to finance the house and get a mortgage.
Martin began to get nervous.
He was avoiding eye contact with Victoria and sweating profusely.
When the two of them pull up to the bank, Martin says I think I'll just wait in the car.
You can handle this right.
Victoria frustrated, responds Martin, this is the kind of thing couples are supposed to do, don't you get that?
Plus, I need your math skills in there.
Martin began to look anxious, his lips tightened up and he struggled to speak.
Martin, What is it?
Victoria said.
Yeah, so I might have a second credit card.
What?
She says in shock.
I'm behind on my payments and I'm about $10,000 in debt, he says.
Victoria couldn't believe it.
Martin hadn't changed.
He had just kept his addiction from her.
He had taken out a new credit card months ago and maxed it out with his compulsive spending.
Victoria was super pissed off.
She couldn't believe him.
Now they were pretty much screwed.
How were they supposed to get a loan for a mortgage with Martin's credit?
Next stop, the mafia.
And that marks the end of today's episode, my friends.
I hope you enjoyed.
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And as always, you can check out my website in the link below.
Until next time, take care.
