1) Say the following expressions out loud in class one by one.

— I’m in the red — have to watch it.

— What a miser!

— We have to watch our spending.

— You have no business throwing money around like that.

— We have to get back to the basics.

— We need to watch our pennies.

— I’m on a strict budget.

— Go ahead, splurge(挥霍)!

— We have to keep track of our expenses more closely.

— Don’t let it [your money] burn a hole in your pocket.

— You live beyond your means.

— We’ve got to tighten our belt.

— That costs a pretty penny.

— Money is no object.

— You spend money as if there were no tomorrow.

— We have to cut back on expenses.

2) Add one oral statement to each of the following, as indicated by the example.

We have to watch our spending.+ STATEMENT

We have to watch our spending. We can’t live beyond our means.

a. You spend money as if it were going out of style. + STATEMENT

You spend money as if it were going out of style. We absolutely have to cut back on expenses.

b. I’m in the red — have to watch it. + STATEMENT

I’m in the red — have to watch it. For a long time now I’ve seen you live beyond your means. I’m not surprised you now need to watch your spending.

c. That costs a pretty penny. + STATEMENT

That costs a pretty penny. We have to keep track of our expenses more closely.

d. Don’t let it burn a hole in your pocket. + STATEMENT

Don’t let it burn a hole in your pocket. Go ahead, splurge!

3) Play the roles of Alyssa and Josh in the following dialogue, paying attention to the underlined expressions.

Alyssa: Josh, what’s wrong? You don’t look too good.

Josh: I just got laid off(解雇) from my job.

Alyssa: Oh no! How come?

Josh: The company business is shrinking(缩减).

Alyssa: Wow, I’m so sorry! You must feel awful. Any chance      they’ll rehire(重新雇用) you soon?

Josh: I don’t know. But I doubt it. Things don’t look too good  over there for anyone.

Alyssa: What a let-down(失望)! How will you make ends meet?  You want to borrow some money from me?Josh:   No, I know you’re on a strict budget. I’m okay. I’ll  manage.

Alyssa: Are you sure?

Josh: I’m not in dire straits(困境). I’m nowhere near broke (身 无分文). I’ve been saving money for emergencies(紧急需要).

Alyssa: Have you? Well, I guess this certainly qualifies as an    emergency.

Josh: Still, I have to keep track of my expenses more closely. If today is bad, tomorrow could be worse. Never know, with the way things are going these days.

Alyssa: Yeah, true enough, though I doubt you’ll stay  unemployed for long. You’re too talented. All the same, you’re totally on the mark(说到点子上) to watch your spending right now. Better safe than sorry.

Give a short oral presentation on the following title, using the text below as an example.

In the Habit of Saving Much

In general, we are in the habit of saving much in China. We tend to watch our spending, saving every bit that’s possible. Few Chinese spend money as if there were no tomorrow.

In our nation’s best tradition, we have been taught the importance of living with thrift in the family. At home, we don’t buy a thing unless we’re certain we will use it — and not just from time to time, but to its best purpose and for the

longest possible time. In the eyes of others, it’s a shame to live beyond one’s means.

Psychologically, we’re uncomfortable showing off our wealth. So we don’t live like we’re rich, in most cases (exceptions exist). We feel safest with our savings in the bank. What for? For our children. For their future. For when times may not be so good.