Interviews

Intermediate

If you had a million dollars, how would you use this money for your personal use and/or for the benefit of others?

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the video:

(be) a big deal (idiom): be very important or significant
– I don’t have a lot of money to buy a lot of nice things, but that isn’t a big deal to me as long as I have what I need.

pay  off something (phrasal verb): pay a debt in full
– I want to pay off my student loans as soon as possible.

blow money on something (phrasal verb): waste money on something
– Don’t blow all of your money on video games, fancy clothes, and a lavish lifestyle. Save some of your money.

Now, watch the interview and answer the comprehension questions. You can also turn on the automatically-generated captions for the video once you start it.

Randall: In this video, Emily and I are going to talk about money. And here is the question, Emily. If you want $1 million, and this is after taxes, how would your life change or not change?

Emily: Well, the after-taxes part is a really big deal because taxes take a lot. Um, first off, I would pay off all of my debt. I have a home loan, and I have some student debt. I would pay all of that off, and I would help out some friends and family, and I would possibly invest in real estate. I think that’s what I would do with it.

Randall: Okay. And is there anything I wouldn’t do with it?

Emily: Well, I certainly wouldn’t blow it on a lot of useless things like buying a whole bunch of fancy cars or yacht or anything like that. I would want to make sure that that money lasts as long as possible.

Randall: All right. Well, thank you for sharing those thoughts today.

Emily: You’re welcome.

Intermediate:

1. If you won $1 million after taxes, what are some responsible things you would do with the money?
2. Would winning $1 million after taxes change your life in any significant way? Why or why not?
3. According to Emily, what are some practical steps she would take if she won $1 million after taxes?
4. Why does Emily emphasize the importance of paying off debt and helping friends and family with the money?
5. How does Emily’s perspective on handling a large sum of money differ from someone who might spend it extravagantly?

Advanced Level:

1. In what ways does Emily’s approach to handling a financial windfall demonstrate financial responsibility and long-term planning?
2. How might Emily’s decision to invest in real estate after winning $1 million after taxes contribute to her financial security and future wealth?
3. What does Emily’s attitude towards money reveal about her values and priorities in life?