DIRECTIONS: Read the dialogues below in English, then translate them and read them in your primary language (if needed). You’re encouraged to read these dialogues with your teacher, tutor, colleagues, family, and friends to practice and improve your American English even further.
Topic: Paying the Bills
Dialogue 1
Emma: Hey, how’s it going?
Tom: Not great. I have a pile of bills to deal with this month.
Emma: Oh no…rent, electricity, gas all at once?
Tom: Yeah, and the water bill is due too. Plus, my credit card payment is due in a week.
Emma: That sounds like quite the financial burden. Are you managing okay?
Tom: It’s getting harder each month. And I’m still paying off that bank loan from last year.
Emma: Hmm…have you considered talking to a financial advisor or seeing if you can consolidate your debt somehow?
Tom: I’ve been meaning to look into that. But right now, I need to focus on making these payments before they start charging me late fees.
Emma: Right. Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help out.
Tom: Thanks, Emma. I really appreciate it.
Dialogue 2
Harry: Hey, Sarah. Did you take care of paying the bills this month?
Sarah: Yes, I paid them all yesterday.
Harry: Great! How much was the rent again?
Sarah: It’s $800 a month.
Harry: And what about the utility bills?
Sarah: The electricity bill was $120, the gas bill was $60, and the water bill was $40.
Harry: That’s not too bad. What about credit card payments?
Sarah: We have to pay off 300 dollars by next week.
Harry: Okay, we need to remember that. And how about the bank loan payment?
Sarah: We have to make the monthly payment of $200 in two weeks.
Harry: Perfect. We’ve got it under control then.
Sarah: Well, there is one more thing…
Harry: What’s that?
Sarah: My car needs repairs, costing around $400.
Harry: Okay, we’ll have to use our emergency fund. Let’s try to budget better next month to make up for it.
Sarah: Agreed.
