📙 Part 2: Describe a person who likes to buy goods at low prices

This episode's vocabulary

Bargain (noun) - something that is sold for less than its usual price or its real value.

To get/lay your hands on sth (phrase) - to find something.

Defect (noun) - a fault or problem with someone or something.

To sew (verb) - to join things together with a needle and thread.

To mend (verb) - to repair something that is broken, torn, or not working correctly.

More bang for your buck(s) - the best result for the smallest effort.

Deal (noun) - the price you pay for something, and what you get for your money.

To go to great lengths (idiom) - to try very hard to achieve something.

Detrimental (adj.) - causing harm or damage.

Consumerism (noun) - the situation in which too much attention is given to buying and owning things.

Immediate (adj.) - used to refer to something or someone that is close to, or is a cause of or an effect of, something or someone else.

Vocal (adj.) - relating to or produced by the voice, either in singing or speaking.

Frugality (noun) - the quality of being careful when using money or food.

Questions and Answers

R: Well, my mother loves a bargain. And it doesn't seem to matter at all what it is she's buying. Though, she's a huge fan of different clothes and shoes in particular. So this comes up with regards to them more often or not. As for the places she goes, it doesn't seem to matter where it is, she always gets her hands on the best deals, whether it's a discount store, a regular supermarket or even a designer clothing store. Since she often finds goods with defects and then get them much cheaper because of the issues with them. And since you can sew and mend the clothes, it means it's not such a big deal if they have some issues. I think she's so good at it, because she grew up in a family without much, or at least without much money, and so focused on making the most of what they had, or getting the biggest bang for their buck if you will. As a result, she can smell a deal a mile off and goes to great lengths to make sure she gets the best price. And since her friends have a similar mindset, they also show off to each other what they got and how little it cost them. This is whenever they get together for dinner or something. It's not a specific event. Given how detrimental consumerism can be, it's actually quite wholesome since everyone seems to be getting a decent deal out of the whole thing. The shops get rid of their defective clothing or seemingly defective clothing, and people pay a lower price for it. It's a good thing she does this too, since if she didn't, I'd have had very few people to talk about... At least in my immediate family. They're less vocal about how thrifty they are, or indeed, they're less vocal about their spending habits in general. So thank God for my mum's frugality and a nose for a good deal. I definitely think that's helped out a great deal right now.

M: And do you often see this person?

R: Well, she's my mother, so I should see her quite often. Yes.