UNIT 8: MONEY AND FINANCE
My name‿ is Nina,│ an(d) two years‿ ago I was‿ in serious debt. I had three credit cards,│ I spen(t) my salary in the firs(t) ten days‿ of the month,│ and‿ I borrowed money from my sister to pay the bills. I had no idea│ where the money went.
What saved me was‿ a very simple system. I wrote down‿ everything for one month,│ and‿ I kept‿ every receipt. The resul(t) was shocking:│ coffee an(d) snacks cos(t) me 200 dollars‿ a month. I had never thought‿ about‿ it,│ because‿ each purchase was‿ only three dollars. Now I make‿ a budget‿ on the firs(t) day of the month. The bills come first,│ then food,│ then‿ a fixed‿ amoun(t) for savings,│ an(d) whatever‿ is left‿ is for fun.
I have one rule that works betterbe-der than the rest:│ plan‿ ahead for the big things. My sister buys‿ a new phone‿ every year│ an(d) then complains│ that she cannot get by. I put money aside‿ every month for‿ a holiday,│ and‿ I pay for the phone‿ in cash│ when the ol(d) one breaks. A budget‿ is not‿ a punishment. It‿ is‿ a plan that makes sure your money goes│ where your priorities‿ are.