Mixer #31 | Intermediate B1

What do you waste money on?

Six people share how they waste money.

Barbara, Australia
speakerSomething that I waste money on would probably be books. I always buy books. I love reading. It's terrible if I'm stuck on the train or waiting for something and I don't have something to read so I tend to buy a lot of books, novels, a few magazines, reader's digest and also I waste a lot of money on shampoo because I have long hair and I have to wash my face every day. That's a big pain.

Jeannie, United States
speakerSomething that I waste money on, for me this would be jewelry. I often spend too much money on jewelry because shiny things really attract me. If I'm shopping somewhere and there's something flashy shining at me I usually stop and look and often times the salesperson can get me to buy. Another thing, might be books but I don't know so much if that is a waste or not.

Mark, Unites States
speakerAh, I waste money on, I guess mostly on going out, like whether it's going to restaurants or, I don't really go to clubs or anything, but, yeah, I just spend money temporary things. I don't actually buy a lot of objects like a stereo or a CD, or anything like that, I just spend money on going out with my friends, and just food and drinks basically.

Todd, United States
speakerSomething that I waste money on is DVDs. I'm always buying DVDs and I'll be in some electronics, like store, and I'll see a new DVD and I'll buy it rather than just go to the video store and rent it. I don't know why but I like to buy the DVD when it has the special stuff on the back, but still, it's pretty expensive when you think about it, so, yeah, I waste way too much money on DVDs.

Naomi, Australia
speakerSomething I waste money on often is clothes shopping. I guess because I'm a girl to start with shopping is always a fun pastime and I find it relaxing, actually I call it shopping therapy to go and buy some new clothes often buy myself, I go shopping but shopping is something I spend or waste money on.

Jeyong, Korea
speakerI usually don't spend that much money on anything but then if there's something I waste money it would be food. I like desserts, especially ice cream so when I go out for dinner I would definitely have a dessert afterwards and cakes, candies, chocolates, all those things, I spend money on.

 

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson!

stuck

image

It's terrible if I'm stuck on the train.

When we are 'stuck' someplace that means we can't leave. Notice the following:

  1. The storm delayed our flight so we were stuck in the airport all night.
  2. I hate being stuck on a bus for for hours.

a big pain

image

That's a big pain.

Something that is 'a big pain' is usually very inconvenient. Notice the following:

  1. I need to renew my driver's license. The test, the paper work and the waiting in line are such a big pain.
  2. Check-in at the airport is always a big pain lately.

attract

image

Shiny things really attract me.

Something that 'attracts' us causes us to become interested. Notice the following:

  1. What attracted me about having my own business was the freedom.
  2. The idea of studying abroad really attracts me.

basically

image

I just spend money on food and drinks basically.

We use the word 'basically' when we talk about general things, not details. Notice the following:

  1. Sandra gossips a lot, but she's basically a nice girl.
  2. There are many activities on elllo, but it's basically a listening site.

pastime

image

Shopping is always a fun pastime and I find it relaxing.

A 'pastime' is an activity we do for fun or to relax. Notice the following:

  1. They say that baseball is America's pastime.
  2. My dad's favorite pastime is reading.

Vocabulary Quiz

stuck • big pain • attract
basically • pastime
  1. Losing your purse or wallet is a .
  2. Poker is a very common for men here.
  3. I'm in a meeting so I can't pick you up at work.
  4. I have been on my feet all day.
  5. He is doing that to your attention.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

One Minute English Video

Speakers
Mixer Video #31
What do you waste money on?

Try These Lessons

MX101 Calories
Mixer 35 High School
Six people share their memories of high school.
MX101 Calories
Mixer 34 Where to Eat
Six people discuss eating out.
MX101 Calories
Mixer 33 Family Size
Six people discuss big and small families.
MX101 Calories
Mixer 32 Food Cravings
The Mixer crew shares what foods they love.
MX101 Calories
Mixer 31 Waste of Money
See how six people waste their money.

Free Courses from ELLLO

One Minute English Videos

Free Courses from ELLLO