Money makes the world go around, yet the best things in life are free. A penny saved is a penny earned, but you get what you pay for. You probably have your own ideas about spending money. Now is a great time to learn how to spend money wisely.
When you are considering buying something you want, run through this checklist first.
How much do you really want it?
Seeing a $25 gum ball (口香糖球) machine, Ben wanted it. But after thinking about it, he decided that it would be exciting only for a day or two. “Besides, it’s not possible for me to chew that much gum,” he said wisely.
Do you still want it a week later?
If the thing passes the “really wanting-it” test, try to wait for some time to see how strong the desire (欲望) is. This strategy works for grown-ups, too!
How will you pay for it?
After the first two steps, Ben found he really wanted a toy pirate ship (海盗船), but it cost $50. He had $22 in his pocket and gets $1.50 a week to spend. His mother helped him work out how many weeks he would need to save to get the ship: 19.
Are there ways to earn the money?
Ben agreed to wash the downstairs windows at a dollar each. So he got $10 for himself and sparkling (闪亮的) sunlight for the rest of the family.
Can you get it cheaper?
After deciding to buy it, it is necessary for you to look for less expensive ways to buy it: search for what you want on the internet or in shops and flea markets (跳蚤市场). Sometimes you can find the same thing at a much lower price. If these suggestions work well, they can save you a lot of money. You will be a really smart shopper.
Answer the following questions according to the passage above. (根据上面的短文内容，回答下列问题。)
【小题1】Did Ben finally buy the gum ball machine? Why or why not?【小题2】Why did Ben agree to wash the downstairs windows?
【小题3】Where can you search for what you want if you want to buy something?
【小题4】What is the passage mainly talk about?
