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Types of Bank Accounts
Luiz: Where are you going? Iona: I’m going to the bank to open an account. Luiz: What kind of account: a savings account, a checking account, or a CD? Iona: Um, I’m not sure, but I’m sure someone at the bank can help me decide. Luiz: You’ll also need to decide if you want an interest-earning account or not, and don’t forget to ask for free checking. Pick a bank that doesn’t have monthly service charges. Iona: Okay, thanks… Luiz: And make sure you know if there’s a minimum balance required, because if the account dips below that minimum, you’ll be charged a fee. Iona: Yes, right, I’ll be sure to do that. Well, I’d better get going… Luiz: You probably want to open a checking and a savings account, so make sure you link those accounts. That should give you overdraft protection, in case you ever bounce a check. Iona: Okay, I’ll definitely keep all of that in mind. I’d better go. Samil is waiting for me. Luiz: Are you thinking of opening a joint account with your boyfriend? Iona: We’re considering it… Luiz: Pool your money and open a CD. That way, you’ll lock in a good interest rateand neither of you can touch the money until the CD matures. Iona: We’ll think about it. Thanks. Luiz: Oh, and… Iona: Would you like to come with us to the bank and help us open our accounts? Luiz: Really? But I don’t want to interfere. Iona: You, interfere? I can’t imagine you ever trying to interfere. (From ESL Podcast 537.)
Tough Negotiations
I'm not what you would call the world's best negotiator, but sometimes it's necessary to engage in a tough negotiation. Take, for instance, the time I had to renew the lease on my apartment. This was back in college, when I was renting a small studioin the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles. When my lease was up, the landlord and I sat down to hammer out the terms of a new lease. "I'll tell you what I'm going to do," he said. "I'm going to give you a break on rent if you sign a two-year lease instead of just a one-year lease." "Well," I said, "I don't know. What sort of break are we talking about here?‚" "I'll give you a 5% rent increase instead of a 10% increase in exchange for you signing a two-year lease. It's win-win situation: you get a cut in rent, and I get the security of a two-year lease." At this point, I decided to make a counter-proposal . "How about this," I said, "You give me a one year lease with a six percent increase.‚" "No, I can't make that sort of deal," he said. "But here's what I can do, and it's my final offer: I'll pay for your electricity for the first 6 months of the lease, along with the other terms I mentioned before.‚" "You drive a hard bargain okay, it's a deal," I said. I guess I could have tried to bargain him down a bit more, but I was happy with our agreement. Now all I had to do was sign on the dotted line. (From ESL Podcast 41.) · When did the action take place? · Where did the man study? · Why did a landlord bargain for a longer term of the lease? · Why could a student bargain for a shorter term of the lease? · What economic situation in the country favours long term leases? · Who normally pays for the electricity? · What did the student gain as a result of negotiations and what did he loose?
Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1478
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