Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. groceries
    • ex. I usually buy groceries from a nearby supermarket.
  2. ease
    • ex. Listening to music can ease stress and help people feel relaxed.
  3. afford
    • ex. They can’t afford a vacation in another country because it’s too expensive.
  4. an inventory
    • ex. Every month, the staff prepares an inventory of items that are sold.
  5. a duplicate
    • ex. She already has a copy of the book, so she gave the duplicate to her friend.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

Font size

Have you noticed that the prices of groceries have risen lately? You’re not alone. In the U.S., grocery prices are up 21% over the past three years, despite inflation easing slightly. Cassandra Happe from WalletHub said that inflation has made it more difficult for people to afford basic groceries, but people need those products.

So, how can shoppers save on groceries? Some experts have recommendations. For example, shoppers can use coupons to get discounts. Many stores, like Walmart and Target, offer digital coupons on their apps. Apps like Flipp and Ibotta also make it easier to find and collect coupons.

In addition, making a budget is important in managing expenses. Sarah Schweisthal, a personal finance expert, recommends making an inventory of items you already have to avoid buying duplicates. Once you have a budget and an inventory, make meal plans and follow your budget. Shopping online for your groceries can also help you avoid buying items that are not on your list. All these strategies can reduce unnecessary expenses.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Saving, Making a Budget, and Planning Meals

  • Do you like making a budget and planning meals? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Is it easy or difficult to follow a budget? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • What advice would you give to a friend or family member who wants to save money on groceries? Discuss.

Grocery Shopping

  • In the U.S. grocery prices are up 21% despite inflation easing slightly. What changes in groceries have you noticed recently (ex. prices are up, products became smaller)? Discuss.
  • Experts recommend that shoppers use coupons to get discounts. In your opinion, do coupons help shoppers save money on groceries? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • Inflation has made it more difficult to afford basic groceries. Imagine that you can only pick five food items from the grocery. What would these items be? Discuss.