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Hello everyone and welcome to English Pod. My name is Marco. My name is Katherine. And today we've got an elementary level lesson for you all about getting up in the morning. That's right. Today we're making breakfast. And, uh, well, of course, many people have different things when they're making breakfast. Some of them are very big, others are small. So, but this is what we're going to talk about today. So, why don't we listen to the dialogue and see what they're having for breakfast today.

Dialogue

Smells good. What's for breakfast?Well, since we're getting up so late, I decided to make a big breakfast.Nice brunch.Kind of. So, I made scrambled and softboiled eggs, some French toast, and buttermilk pancakes.Wow, you really went all out. Did you make any coffee?Yeah, just the way you like it. I also put out some cereal and muesli if you feel like having something more light.Looks good. I'll squeeze us some fresh orange juice. Get the jam and butter while you are in there. Oh, and don't forget the syrup.

Okay, we're back. So, a lot of interesting things. A huge breakfast. Way too big for me. I don't like to eat a big breakfast because I feel like it makes me tired and then I don't have any energy. Especially if you just get up, right? Exactly. You need to shower and maybe have some fruit and then go to work. But we can talk about it at the end. There were a lot of interesting words and phrases that we heard that we would benefit from taking a closer look at.

Language Takeaway

Alright. So, on language takeaway today, we're going to take a look at our first word. And it's an interesting word. It's kind of a mix of two things. Brunch. That's right. So, this word comes from two different words. Breakfast. Br... breakfast and lunch. That's right. So, brunch. So, if you have brunch, what is exactly uh brunch? Well, there's two ways to look at brunch. One is the time element. Usually, brunch is later than breakfast, but maybe a little earlier than lunch. So, 11:00 or maybe even noon. Um, but the other thing is size. Because you're putting two meals together, usually brunch is very big. You eat a lot of food. Okay? So, it's a perfect combination of breakfast and lunch. I'm the type of person that likes having scrambled eggs at noon. So, uh this is a perfect solution. Brunch. Right. You don't have to only eat eggs at breakfast. You can eat them at lunch as well. Exactly. This is actually something we do a lot in America for Mother's Day. So, mom wakes up late. We take her to brunch. It's a very big special meal. Very good.

And talking about eggs and um and the types of eggs that we can have, I mentioned scrambled eggs and in the dialogue we also heard softboiled eggs. Okay, these are two very important kinds of eggs. Usually if you're in a restaurant, they will ask you how do you want your eggs cooked or done. And uh my answer is always scrambled. Scrambled. This means someone mixes the eggs before they are cooked. And then when they cook, they are hard. They're yellow. Okay, there's no white. It's just yellow and it's it's a little hard mixture. Um, but softboiled eggs are very very different. That's right. Soft boiled eggs, you actually don't break the egg or open the egg to cook it like in scrambled eggs. You actually put the entire egg in boiling water. Uh, I think it's for 2 minutes and then you take it out and then you open the shell. And the eggs are kind of cooked. It's kind of hard in some parts, but it's also kind of uh liquidy in other parts. That's right. So the outside, the white part is hard, but the yellow part, the yolk, is is liquid. It's not hard. That's right. And actually, if you want the whole egg to be hard, you can ask for hardboiled eggs. That's right. Those are cooked for much longer. That's right. Okay. So, we have scrambled eggs, softboiled eggs.

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No way. Is that you, Marco? Oh my god, it's been what, 4 years? At least you haven't changed a bit. Still got that sharp look in your eyes. How are you?

I'm good. Life's been busy. What about you? You disappeared after university.

Yeah, life pulled me in all directions. I'm working in digital marketing now. Remote job with lots of screen time. What about you?

Wow, that's cool. I'm teaching English at a private school now. Also trying to finish my masters on the side. It's chaotic but fulfilling.

Wait, my friends, whenever we hear a new word, we should learn it right away, right?

Exactly, Marco. So, friends, did you catch the word I just used?

Yeah, it's chaotic but fulfilling. Now, what does chaotic mean? Do you know, my friends? Let me help you out. Chaotic means completely disorganized or full of confusion. For example, imagine your room after you've thrown all your clothes on the floor and your books and maybe your cat's running around in circles, too. That's chaotic.

That's literally my room every Monday. So chaotic means messy, out of control, full of confusion.

Exactly. And the word fulfilling means something that gives you deep satisfaction. Like when you help someone or achieve a goal, it just feels right.

Wow. So chaotic but fulfilling means it's messy and disorganized, but it makes you happy in the end.

Exactly. You know, a good example would be when you're planning a big event like a wedding or a birthday party. It's chaotic. You have to manage so many details like the cake, guest list, and decorations. And it feels like everything's all over the place.

Ah, I get it now. It's like when I tried to renovate my apartment. I was running around picking paint colors and finding furniture and nothing seemed to fit together. The whole thing was a mess. But when I finally finished, it felt so fulfilling to sit back and enjoy my new place. So, I used chaotic and you used mess. Both are right, but the mess is more common. But hey, we'd learn both.

Yeah. You know, Zara, at this stage in life, we really start to feel how fast time flies, right?

Absolutely. Years pass are like months and suddenly we realize we're not kids anymore. We're adults now. One day the young people around us will be parents and we'll look back wondering where did all that time go.

Exactly. And the sad part is many people still don't realize how precious time really is. They spend hours gossiping, watching pointless controversies and scrolling social media all day, but not learning anything new or not doing anything productive.

Yes, it's like we all have time, but we don't use it wisely. We waste it like it's unlimited, but it's not. And then one day we look back and say, "I wish I had done something meaningful."

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Hello Jason, can you lend me your charger for a moment please?

Hello Mark, sure. It is next to my laptop, you can take it. Don't worry.

Oh, thank you so much. I forgot mine at home and I can't work without it.

Yeah, I guess so. You can borrow mine whenever you need it. That's okay.

Thanks Jason. Are you okay? You look really tired, man.

Yeah, I mean, the typical day, you know, work stress. I don't know. I mean, not really. I feel like I'm carrying the whole world on my back. I'm always thinking, always worrying. I'm exhausted, Mark. That's the truth.

That doesn't sound good. What's going on?

Work stuff? Work, yes, but also my life. I mean, my life outside work. Honestly, it's like I don't have a break anymore. I wake up already tired. My head is full of worries. That's why I feel very tired, I suppose.

Oh, I see. But tell me, bro, what's making you feel this way?

Well, where do I start? First, the mortgage of my house. It's huge. Every month I have to pay a big amount, like hundreds of dollars, bro. Then I bought a new car for the family last year. It was supposed to be a blessing, but the monthly payments are killing me. I didn't think of that when I got it. And that's not even the worst part. My two kids go to a private school. I mean, the education is great and I want the best for them, but man, the monthly fee is more than what some people earn in a month.

Seriously? Wow, that's a lot already. House, car, school, that's a lot.

And that's not all. Also, we have our annual family trip coming up. We always travel outside the country. My wife loves planning vacations and I don't want to disappoint them, but it's so expensive. A lot of money, flights, hotel, shopping, food. It's a big bill. That's the thing.

That's a heavy load, my friend. But there must be something you can do about it.

And it doesn't end there. My wife wants new furniture for the living room. Our sofa is fine, but she saw something online and now she wants it. Then it's clothes for the kids, new shoes, new jackets, new backpacks. And of course, we only buy organic food, so our grocery bill is crazy high every week, man.

No wonder you're stressed. That's a mountain of responsibilities.

Exactly. I work extra hours, weekends, even skip lunch sometimes, just to catch up. But no matter how much I earn, it never, never feels enough. I just want to give them the best life, but sometimes, sometimes I feel like I'm not really living mine. That's what I'm feeling.

Listen, Jason, I'm really sorry you feel this way, seriously. I can see you're a good father and a great husband. You love your family and you want to give them the best. But can I say something?

Of course, please. I need to hear something different. Just tell me.

I think maybe you're giving too much, and not just giving, trying too hard. You're trying too hard to give things instead of experiences. Maybe, maybe it's time to ask, "Do they need the best of everything, or just more of you?"

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When someone mentions the word "beginning," what is the first thing that comes to your mind? It is the first step we take when we start something new. The first step is often considered the easiest step, right? When you start doing something new, you do the easiest things, then gradually it gets harder. That's why I guess some of you have heard sayings from people around you like, "The first steps are extremely easy, why can't you do it?" or "Why do you feel discouraged when you just start to do it?" You may quickly feel sad and disappointed because of those words, then don't want to continue doing it because of the thought, "If I don't know how to do the first steps, it will be difficult to do it later." But don't worry too much. The truth is that everything is difficult at first. Those words from people around you are not right or wrong. The right direction for you is to know and accept that it is hard at the beginning.

Why is it so difficult? Because we are entering a new space filled with unknown things. When we start something new, our brains have to work harder to understand what it's all about. It's like when you're going down a road you've never been on before or when you want to pursue an attractive girl or a guy. This challenge is very important; it helps us grow, learn, and become better. When we start something new, we often want to be perfect right away, but that's not how it works. Everything good takes time and patience. Think about a plant: you plant a seed, water it, give it sunlight, and wait. It doesn't grow into a big tree overnight. So the first thing to do is set realistic expectations.

Let's take an example about learning English. At first, it's just small words and phrases. It feels slow, so you want to learn more as much as you can. But the more you try to learn new words, the more difficult it becomes day after day. This will cause you to lose track and feel tired. Now let's look at some ways to keep going even when it's hard. One great way is to set clear goals by writing them down. Depending on the amount of work you do each day, you will have different small goals. Maybe today you want to learn five new words; tomorrow you want to practice speaking for 10 minutes. This shows that you are moving forward, even if it feels slow.

Also, it's important to build good habits. Make a study plan and stick to it. Maybe you decide to study English for 30 minutes every day. Make it a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth or having breakfast. Approaching something new becomes something you do without thinking too much about it. Another important thing is finding support. We often have the common thought of not daring to tell anyone when we start doing something because we are afraid of being judged or questioned too much by others, or we simply want to share it when we have done it successfully. But learning something new can be lonely if you do it all by yourself. Talk to your family and friends about your goals. They can cheer you on. Join a group of people who are learning the same thing. This could be a class, a club, or even an online community. When you have people to share your journey with, it becomes easier. They can give you advice, share their experiences, and help you stay motivated. Having people around you who understand and support you can make the hard parts easier.

What if you have tried everything but still fail? Actually, failure is not a bad word; that's part of the process. When babies learn to walk, they fall many times before they can walk properly. When you make a mistake, don't be too hard on yourself. Learn from it. Ask yourself, "What can I do better next time?" Use failures as lessons. So how can you do it? Determine the reason you fail. Is it because you don't try your best, or did you try your best but others do better than you, or is it not just lucky enough, or simply because you have not found the right direction for yourself? So you will always hang around in failure and sadness. Write these things clearly on paper instead of thinking in your mind. It will help you know what you are making and what you need to do next. Every failure you face is an opportunity to learn and grow. It's easy to say but very difficult to do, which is why starting and maintaining a habit for something new is not a piece of cake. Staying motivated is very necessary.

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Welcome back to the Hot Sip with Nathan.

Today we're going to be talking about drinking water. Seriously, look at how you guys are taking care of yourselves. Your skin is as dry as the Sahara Desert in June. If I squeezed you out, I bet you wouldn't even have enough water to water a tiny little cactus. Well, spoiler alert, you're probably dehydrated. According to studies, about 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. That's right, three out of four of us are basically dried apricots with anxiety. So, today we've got two amazing guests. First up, Grace, 27, a paralegal from Chicago who's working so hard she forgets to blink, let alone drink water. And helping her and maybe you is Anna, a 45-year-old hospital admin boss lady. Get ready, because we're about to spill the tea and then drink some water. Let's dive in.

Hey, Grace. How's the paralegal life treating you?

Honestly, I haven't even had time to breathe today.

Grace, sweetheart, slow down. You're going to give yourself a stroke.

Strokes happen to people who don't hustle. I've got billable hours to hit, Anna.

Right. Because those billable hours are going to matter when you're lying in a hospital bed.

What do you mean?

You look like you haven't had a sip of anything but coffee all day.

Coffee is a liquid. I've had a lot of it. So, technically, I'm hydrated.

Uh-huh. And I'm guessing you've also got a headache, feel tired, and can't focus.

Yeah, but that's just because I've been working on this big case.

Or maybe it's because you're dehydrated.

How do you even know that?

Because dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog are classic dehydration symptoms. And you're checking every box.

Look, I'm fine. I've had headaches since birth.

Grace, seriously, chronic dehydration is no joke.

Why? It's just water.

Your body needs water to function. When you're dehydrated, your blood thickens, your brain gets less oxygen, and bam, you get headaches, fatigue, lack of focus.

Fine. I get it. But I've got deadlines.

Deadlines are temporary. Your health isn't. You know, not drinking enough water can mess you up in ways you don't even realize.

Great. Now, you're about to paint a lovely picture.

I'm painting a realistic one. Long-term urinary tract infections and kidney stones.

It can't be that bad.

It can, sweetheart. Studies show it increases kidney stone risk by up to 50%.

Ugh.

It also affects your memory and focus.

You're kidding, right? It can't be real.

It's real, sadly. Just 1% dehydration can cause a 5% drop in cognitive performance. And if you're active, a 2% loss can tank your performance by 10 to 20%.

That's not ideal.

Not even close. And if you keep pushing like this, you're setting yourself up for serious problems down the line.

Like what?

Kidney damage, premature aging, even heart issues.

Premature aging. Okay, now you've got my attention. That's a hard no.

Believe me, a few years back I was in the same boat. Overworked, underhydrated

and then

one day I collapsed. Ended up in the ER of my own hospital. It was my wake-up call.

Really?

Yep. One minute I was presenting the annual plan, the next I was being rushed to the ER.

Oh my god.

I thought it was something serious like cancer. I'd been feeling so exhausted.

So, what was the problem?

Believe it or not, severe dehydration.

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Sir, you cannot enter this country without a work permit. You can't enter the boarding gate.

Sorry, I can't believe I'm leaving my mother, my father, my wife, and my little son. I hope they understand I am doing this for them because I love them very much. I want to give them a better life, a life without struggle. That's why I'm leaving.

Are you okay, young man? I'm sorry to ask, I just see you look nervous or sad.

Yes, I mean, no. It's my first time traveling abroad. I'm going to work in another country. I've lived in this neighborhood my whole life, and now it's time for me to leave.

That's a big step. It will be hard at first, but stay strong. You're doing this for your future.

Thank you, sir. I hope everything goes well. You are right, this is for the best. If I do this, it's to give the best to the people I love, so I should be happy.

How long until I get to the airport? My flight leaves in a few hours, and I don't want to be late.

The airport is about 40 minutes from here. Don't worry, we'll get there on time.

Thank you very much. I'm sure everything will be better soon. Please speed up.

I finally arrived. Wow, I didn't think the airport was so big. I hope I don't get lost inside. Okay, here I am. That screen is showing codes and numbers, but I don't understand. I'd better ask someone, otherwise I'll be late. Um, excuse me? Excuse me? Hello?

Yes, tell me. Are you looking for the departure lounge? It's across the hall.

No, or yes, well, can you tell me where the check-in counters are?

Sure, let me see. Go straight, and then turn left. You will see the check-in area there.

Oh, thank you very much. That's very kind. Have a nice day.

This must be the check-in area. I will ask that security guard over there. Excuse me? Good morning?

Excuse me, can I see your passport and ticket, please?

My passport? I just wanted to know where the gate 32 is, but yes, here you go.

Okay, Mr. Miguel Lopez, you're flying to... Alright. Do you have any checked logos? Yes or no? I mean, I just have this bag with me, just some clothes.

And just your bag? Okay, please place it on the scale. We need to check it.

Alright, thank you.

Everything is set. Your flight boards at gate 32. Go through security and follow the signs. That would be all, sir. Have a nice flight.

Alright, thank you. But where's the gate 32? The truth is that this is my first flight.

Oh, I understand. Don't worry. Go straight, then turn right after security. Follow the signs.

Oh, great, thank you. I have to go there right now if I don't want to miss my flight.

Good morning. I have a few questions to ask you, please. Purpose of your visit?

Oh, good morning. I want to travel because I need to work in your country.

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Love is a very common word that we all have heard. People often say love is something very nice, it shows the best things people have in life. Love is like an important spice in food; without it, the dish cannot be very delicious. But have you ever thought about what love means, and have you ever used that word with anyone?

Love is a strong feeling of liking someone or something a lot. It makes us want to care for others and be close to them. Love isn't just for couples; it's also for family and friends. When we say it to our friends, it means we enjoy being with them and like their support.

Love in families is often the first experience of love that we have. It is where we learn what it means to care for someone and be cared for in return. Parents show love to their children in many ways. They make sure their children are safe, healthy, and happy. They teach them new things and support them in their activities. They also show love by reading bedtime stories, preparing favorite meals, and comforting their children when they are sad or scared. Siblings also show love to each other. They play together, share their toys, and help each other with homework. They may argue sometimes, but deep down they care for each other and want the best for one another. Love in families is about supporting each other and being there for each other always.

Friendship is another important type of love. Friends support each other in good times and bad. They share secrets, dreams, and fears. Friends celebrate each other successes and comfort each other in tough times. They spend time together, laugh together, and sometimes cry together. These moments make their bonds stronger and their friendship special.

Romantic love is what many people think of when they hear the word love. This type of love is a deep emotional connection between two people who are often partners in life. Romantic love can be very intense and can bring great joy and happiness. It can also be challenging at times, but it is a beautiful and important part of many people's lives.

Even though love is a word that everyone knows, that doesn't mean we all use it easily. In European and American culture, love is a very meaningful and important word. Only when they truly love each other will they say the words "I love you". When you're just liking and getting to know someone, saying "I love you" will make the other person think you're not serious or that you are being quite rude. Save this statement for the person you are really serious about wanting to be with for a long time and are willing to be with throughout the journey ahead.

Even though love is a word that everyone knows, that doesn't mean we all use it easily. Only when you are sure about your own feelings and feel the other person's feelings then is it true love. In romantic love, we often see people say "I love you" when proposing to each other, or when a couple in an action movie has just gone through some kind of survival challenge. A closer example is our parents saying "I love you" on their wedding anniversary. Although all of the above are easily seen somewhere around us, they contain a meaning of love that is not small at all.

So how do we show love? We often hear the term Love Languages, but do you understand each type of love language and do you know which love language you have? There are many simple ways to express love. One way is by giving gifts. A gift does not have to be expensive; it can be something small that shows you were thinking about the person. For example, giving a flower, a drawing, or even a sweet note can show love. These small gifts can mean a lot to the person receiving them. They can make them feel special and appreciated.

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Guys it's us again at Podcast and Chill.

I'm Gwen your wise girl.

And I'm Leo, Gwen's best sidekick.

So guys, have you ever wondered why you're putting in the work to learn English but your progress is still as slow as the Wi-Fi with only one signal bar

or a boomer typing on a smartphone?

You've tried all the hacks

You've even tried blaming Mercury retrograde for all the setbacks.

Well, the bad news is it ain't Mercury's fault, but the good news is we know who's the real culprit,

And it's you. Well, not you, but your habits to be exact.

Sometimes it's not about what you're doing right, it's about what you keep doing wrong and you don't even know it.

So today we're diving into those morning mistakes that might be lowkey sabotaging your English

And how to fix them. Let's find out.

So what do you often do after you wake up?

Honestly, grabbing my phone to see if anyone hit me up while I was sleeping.

Are you sure it's just texts and emails?

Uh, and I peep my socials too. Got to stay in the loop. There's this whole drama between that Gossip Girl actress and...

Hold up, that's exactly what we need to talk about.

What's the tea?

The number one morning mistake people make is slowing down their language learning

And that is...

checking your phone first thing in the morning.

Wait, seriously? How though?

According to studies on sleep stages, when you wake up your brain slowly moves from deep sleep to a relaxed state before becoming fully awake and alert.

So if you grab your phone right away, that whole process gets messed up.

How come?

Phones hit your brain with a ton of info too fast, forcing it to wake up abruptly.

And that's bad?

Yeah, it can cause feelings of anxiety, stress, and difficulty focusing throughout the day.

That explains why I'm always grumpy in the morning.

Plus, that dopamine rush from social media messes with your routine really bad.

Yeah, that so-called happy chemical makes me keep scrolling and scrolling

and before you know it, 30 minutes have passed

and I haven't even brushed my teeth.

Yep. So for your own sake, don't touch your phone for at least 15 minutes after you wake up.

And then what?

Then you can grab your phone, but stay off socials.

What's the point of grabbing my phone if I can't scroll?

Maybe learning, dude? After you wake up, your brain's super alert. It's the prime time to learn.

Hmm, that makes sense. So I should hop on a language learning app or a podcast?Whichever works for you.

Sounds solid. But what if I forget and start doom scrolling?

Easy peasy. Put your language app on your home screen. That way every time you unlock your phone, you're learning something or at least getting a reminder to learn.

What if, just what if, I spend half my morning trying to decide what to learn? You know I'm a Libra at heart.

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I'm so happy I found this gift. I had to walk around all the malls to find it, but it was worth it. Isn't that David? No, I don't think so... No, yeah, he is! David! Hello

Mark! Hello! Long time no see. How are you? And what are you doing here?

Oh, I just went to the shopping center. Now I'm going to see...

Well, guess what? What happened? And that gift, is it your birthday today? I'm sorry, I didn't remember.

No, it is not my birthday. I just bought this present. It is for a special person.

Special person? Wow, I don't believe it. Don't tell me you have a girlfriend?

Believe it or not, yes I do! Guess what? You won't believe what just happened to me.

What happened? You look like you just won the lottery or something.

Even better! Do you remember Lisa? The girl I've been in love with for years? Lisa, the one who never even looked at me? Well, she's my girlfriend now!

Lisa? Your girlfriend? Wait, the same Lisa who rejected you a hundred times?

Yes! I can't believe it either, but it finally happened. I'm so, so happy! She finally realized that I'm the right guy for her. It was just a matter of time, I told you.

Um, Lisa, right? Um, tell me, how exactly did this happen? Because last time I checked, she used to ignore you completely. Don't you remember?

Hi Lisa, hello. I... I just... Sorry for coming to your university so suddenly. I... I just wanted to give you these. I know you're busy and you have to study. Don't worry. I know you don't really notice me, but I really like you. Would you like to go out sometime?

You? Mark? Seriously? I... I have to go to my class. I don't have time for this.

I know, I know, and I'm sorry for bothering you, but I brought you these flowers.

Mark, how many times do I have to tell you? I'm not interested! I could never be with you, not even if you were the last man on Earth!

Oh, I understand. Sorry for bothering you. I'm leaving now.

Finally! Just stop trying. It's never going to happen! Remember that. I could never be with someone like you. You're a loser, ugly! Never! Do you understand?

Do you remember that, Mark? She didn't just reject you; she was mean to you.

Well, yeah, but maybe she just didn't know me well back then.

Alright, what about this? Remember the time you told her about your studies and your promotion?

Hi Lisa. Are you waiting for your bus to go to your study center? I'm going to my work now. I just wanted to tell you something. I've been studying so hard. In a few months, I'll finish my degree, and my boss said that if I graduate, I'll get promoted and earn a lot more. I can't wait. I know maybe you don't care much about it, but I wanted to tell you because you are important to me.

You? Promoted? Please! You're too dumb and too ugly to get a promotion.

Well, I believe in myself. You'll see, Lisa. One day I'll prove you wrong.

Sure, whatever. Now stop talking, you're giving me a headache. No one would ever make you a boss.

Yeah, I see. Well, I will work hard. One day you will see. I promise I can do it.

Lisa... So tell me, what changed? When did she suddenly start liking you? Just tell me.

I'm telling you, she just realized how much she liked me! It happened after my promotion.

Hey Lisa! You're going shopping? Guess what? I finally got promoted! I'm the new head of the staff at my company, and I got a huge salary increase! Can you believe it?

Mark, I don't like those kinds of jokes. I have already told you. Why are you lying?

I'm not kidding! Yesterday, I received the news that starting next month, I will be head of staff.

Wait, really? Wow! I always knew you had potential. You just needed some time to grow up.

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Oh, this shirt has a very beautiful color. I should buy it. Old clothes are so boring, but it's the end of the month now, so I don't have much money left. It's okay, just consider it a reward for next month. I just bought it a little earlier. I didn't spend too much this month. My credit card will handle it.

Does this story sound familiar to you? Do you see yourself or those around you in this situation? This is a common thing in life: overspending. So why do we often find ourselves spending more money than we should? Let's break it down. First of all, let's talk about our world. We see ads everywhere. These ads tell us to buy new phones, cool clothes, or the latest gadgets. It's easy to think we need these things to be happy or successful. Another reason is convenience. Now we can buy anything with a few clicks on our phones. This makes us buy things quickly. Have you ever bought something online just because it was on sale, even if you did not need it? I know I have. So let's see what ways we can avoid spending too much money.

Understanding your spending habits is crucial. If you know where your money is going, it's hard to make changes. So how do we start understanding our spending? The first thing to do is track everything. I suggest starting with a simple exercise: write down every single purchase you make for a week or a month. Yes, every single one. It might seem boring, but it's very helpful. You might be surprised at how much those small purchases add up. When you have your spending list, take some time to look at it. Also, keep track of your habits. Are you buying coffee every morning? Are you eating out more than you thought? Finding these habits is the first step to making changes.

Now that we know our spending, let's talk about the difference between needs and wants. This is important for managing your money better. Before making a purchase, ask yourself, is this something I need or something I want? Needs are important like food, rent, and utilities. Wants are things that are nice to have but not necessary, like a new pair of shoes when you already have 10 pairs at home. Without want, you'll be fine, it'll just be uncomfortable. But without needs, you cannot survive. By carefully considering the items you buy based on needs and wants, you will have a more objective view and save money more easily.

Another good tip is to wait before buying something. If you see something you want, wait 24 hours before buying it. Often, the first feeling to buy will go away, and you'll see you don't need it after all. Waiting helps you think more clearly. Sometimes you realize that you can live without that item, or you find out that you already have something similar at home. This simple step can stop you from making many unnecessary purchases. Try it next time you want to buy something. You might be surprised at how often you decide not to buy it after waiting.

Setting spending limits can also help you control your finances better. You need to decide how much money you can spend each week or month on things you don't really need. Then stick to that amount. For example, if you set $50 a week for extra spending, don't spend more than that. Moreover, using cash instead of a credit card can also help. When you use cash, you physically see the money leaving your wallet, which can make you think twice before spending.