Budgeting and Expense Tracking

预算与开销追踪

Two friends discuss how they plan their monthly budget, track their spending, and identify areas where they can cut back to save money.

两位朋友讨论他们如何制定每月预算，跟踪开销，并找出可以削减开支以省钱的领域。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Lisa (Female)

Hey Emily, I was just thinking about our monthly budgets. How do you usually go about planning yours?

嘿艾米丽，我刚才在想我们每月的预算。你通常是怎么规划的？

Emily (Female)

Oh, that's a good question, Lisa. I try to be pretty organized. First, I list all my fixed expenses like rent, utilities, and loan payments. Then, I estimate variable costs like groceries and transportation.

哦，这是个好问题，丽莎。我尽量做到井井有条。首先，我列出所有固定开支，如房租、水电费和贷款。然后，我估算可变成本，如食品和交通。

Lisa (Female)

That makes sense. Do you use any specific apps or tools to track your spending, or just a spreadsheet?

有道理。你用什么特定的应用程序或工具来追踪开销吗，还是只用电子表格？

Emily (Female)

I actually use a budgeting app called Mint. It links to my bank accounts and categorizes transactions automatically, which is a huge time-saver. It also helps me see where my money is actually going.

我其实用一个叫Mint的预算应用。它能连接我的银行账户，自动分类交易，这非常省时间。它也能帮我看到我的钱到底花在哪里了。

Lisa (Female)

Mint, huh? I've heard of that. I've been trying to cut back on impulse purchases, especially online shopping. But it's tough when everything is so accessible.

Mint，是吗？我听说过那个。我一直在努力减少冲动消费，尤其是网购。但当一切都如此便捷时，这很难。

Emily (Female)

Tell me about it! One thing that's helped me is to implement a 24-hour rule for non-essential items. If I still want it after a day, I'll consider buying it. Usually, the urge passes.

可不是嘛！有一个方法对我很有帮助，就是对非必需品实行24小时法则。如果一天后我仍然想要它，我才会考虑购买。通常，这种冲动就会过去。

Lisa (Female)

That's a clever trick! I might try that. I've also been thinking about reviewing my subscription services. I bet I'm paying for a few I don't even use anymore.

这真是个高明的办法！我或许会试试。我也一直在考虑审查我的订阅服务。我敢打赌我为一些我甚至不再使用的服务付费了。

Emily (Female)

Oh, definitely do that. It's surprising how much those small recurring fees add up. You'd be amazed at how much you can save just by cancelling those. Good luck with getting your budget in order!

哦，那一定要这么做。那些小的经常性费用累计起来，数额会让人惊讶。光是取消它们，你就能省下很多钱，会让你大吃一惊的。祝你整理预算顺利！

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

budget

A plan for how to spend your money over a period, like a month. Use it when talking about managing finances: 'I need to stick to my monthly budget.'

一段时间内如何花费金钱的计划，比如一个月。在谈论财务管理时使用：“我需要坚持我的月度预算。”

fixed expenses

Costs that stay the same each month, like rent or bills. It's useful in budgeting discussions: 'Fixed expenses are my biggest priority.'

每月保持不变的成本，如租金或账单。在预算讨论中很有用：'固定支出是我的首要任务。'

variable costs

Expenses that change each month, like food or gas. Say this when estimating spending: 'Variable costs can be hard to predict.'

每月变化的费用，比如食物或汽油。在估计支出时说：'可变成本很难预测。'

track

To monitor or record something, like spending. Common in daily life: 'I track my expenses in a notebook.'

监控或记录某事，比如支出。在日常生活中常见：'我在笔记本中跟踪我的支出。'

impulse purchases

Buying things suddenly without planning, often regrettable. Use it for shopping habits: 'I avoid impulse purchases by making a list.'

突然购买东西而不计划，通常会后悔。用于购物习惯：'我通过列清单避免冲动购买。'

subscription services

Ongoing payments for services like streaming apps. Practical for saving money: 'I canceled some subscription services to save cash.'

像流媒体应用这样的服务的持续支付。节省金钱的实用方法：'我取消了一些订阅服务来省钱。'

recurring fees

Regular charges that happen repeatedly, like monthly bills. Explain in finance talks: 'Recurring fees can add up quickly.'

反复发生的定期收费，例如月度账单。在金融讨论中解释：'重复性费用会迅速累积。'

add up

To increase gradually to a larger amount. Informal and useful: 'Small expenses add up over time.'

逐渐增加到更大的数量。非正式且有用：'小额开支会随着时间累积。'

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

How do you usually go about planning yours?

This is a polite way to ask about someone's method or process. 'Go about' means 'do' or 'handle.' Useful for starting conversations about habits; it's informal and shows interest.

这是询问某人方法或过程的礼貌方式。「Go about」的意思是「做」或「处理」。这对开启关于习惯的对话很有用；它是非正式的，并显示出兴趣。

I list all my fixed expenses like rent, utilities, and loan payments.

This sentence uses 'list' for making a written record and examples with 'like' for illustration. It's a simple present tense structure for describing routines; great for explaining personal finance steps.

这个句子使用 'list' 来制作书面记录，并用 'like' 举例说明。它是用于描述例行公事的简单现在时结构；非常适合解释个人理财步骤。

It links to my bank accounts and categorizes transactions automatically.

Here, 'it' refers to an app; 'links to' means connects, and 'categorizes' is present tense for ongoing action. Useful for describing technology in daily life, with relative clauses for details.

在这里，'it' 指的是一个应用；'links to' 意思是连接，'categorizes' 是现在时，表示持续行动。有助于描述日常生活中的技术，使用关系从句提供细节。

I've been trying to cut back on impulse purchases.

Present perfect continuous 'I've been trying' shows ongoing effort. 'Cut back on' means reduce. This is practical for talking about changing spending habits; common in self-improvement talks.

现在完成进行时 'I've been trying' 表示持续的努力。'Cut back on' 意思是减少。这在谈论改变消费习惯时很实用；在自我提升谈话中很常见。

One thing that's helped me is to implement a 24-hour rule.

This cleft sentence ('One thing that's helped me is...') emphasizes advice. 'Implement' means put into action. Useful for sharing tips; the structure highlights the key idea clearly.

这个分裂句（'One thing that's helped me is...'）强调了建议。'Implement' 意思是付诸行动。用于分享提示很有用；这个结构清楚地突出了关键想法。

It's surprising how much those small recurring fees add up.

'It is surprising how...' expresses surprise about a fact. 'Add up' is an idiom for accumulating. This sentence is great for discussing unexpected costs in budgeting conversations.

'那是多么令人惊讶...'表达了对事实的惊讶。'Add up'是积累的习语。这个句子非常适合在预算对话中讨论意外成本。

Good luck with getting your budget in order!

An encouraging expression using 'good luck with' for wishing success on a task. 'In order' means organized. Informal and positive; use it to end advice-giving dialogues supportively.

一种使用 'good luck with' 的鼓励表达，用于祝愿某项任务成功。'In order' 意思是整理好的。非正式且积极；用它来支持性地结束给出建议的对话。