Charlie: So, I think it’s time I managed my finances more pro-actively.
Alex: Have your circumstances changed?
Charlie: I’ve just started a good job with a much higher salary.
Alex: Congratulations! Let’s start with debt: do you have any? Any student loans still outstanding?
Charlie: No, nothing but the mortgage on my flat.
Alex: OK. Now tell me, how do you spend your income?
Charlie: The usual stuff: the mortgage, utility bills, food, going out, holidays
Alex: Do you put any aside for the future?
Charlie: Yes, I put a fixed amount in a high-interest savings account.
Alex: That’s good. What about investments or a pension plan?
Charlie: No, nothing like that. I don’t like taking risks and I’m not that old.
Alex: Oh, but the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be when you retire.
Charlie: I guess so.
Alex: Also, there are investment products for people with a low risk profile. You should make your money work for you.
Charlie: That sounds good. Please talk me through the options.
NOW LET’S REVIEW THE VOCABULARY!
When you manage a situation, rather than responding to it when it becomes necessary, you are being ‘pro-active’ (instead of ‘reactive’).
‘Circumstances’ refer to the conditions of a person’s life, in this case, employment.
‘Debt’ is the money that you owe.
‘Nothing but’ is the same as ‘only’.
In finance, ‘outstanding’ means ‘not yet paid’.
A ‘mortgage’ is a long-term loan for buying a property.
The phrasal verb ‘to put aside’ means ‘to save’ (money).
A ‘fixed amount’ is a sum of money that is the same for every payment, for example, £100 a month.
A ‘high-interest savings account’ is a bank account specifically for saving money, which pays a higher-than-average interest rate.
‘Better off’ means ‘in a more favourable position’, often regarding money.
‘To retire’ is to stop working due to old age or illness.
A ‘risk profile’ is an assessment of a person’s willingness to take risks when investing money.
‘To talk someone through’ (the options) means to explain all the details to them.
