Photo by © AP Photo/Seth Wenig via
The Mainichi
Pre-Reading Questions:
- Do you know the KonMari method?
- Where do you usually spend your money?
Vocabulary:
- tidy /TAHY-dee/
[verb] to make a place or collection of things clean
Tidy up a bit before we go to the movies.
- goal /gohl/
[noun] a purpose, or something you want to achieve
Dave has already achieved many of his goals.
- afterwards /AF-ter-werds/
[adverb] after the time mentioned
We can play now but we must clean the house afterwards.
- spend /spend/
[verb] to give money as a payment for something
My friends are spending too much money.
- carefully /kair-fuh-li/
[adverb] adverb
The project must be done more carefully.
The KonMari method is known to bring happiness to many people by tidying things up. You can also use the same way to your money by following these three steps:
Set your goals
Start by imagining what your goals are. This will help you do the next steps afterwards.
Spend your money carefully
Marie Kondo’s idea of cleaning is by categories like clothes and books. Do the same way on how you spend your money and divide it into three parts: wants, needs, and savings.
Don’t miss a payment!
Make your bill payments automatic. By doing so, you’ll have a better chance of not missing a payment by accident.
With these, you can “spark joy” by managing your budget, Marie Kondo style!
True or False:
- It is recommended to divide your budget into four parts.
- You will have a higher chance of not missing a payment by mistake if you make your bill payments automatic.
- The KonMari method is all about cleaning up.
- You can use the KonMari method on money, too.
- According to the article, the first step is to spend your money carefully.
Vocabulary Check:
[verb] to make a place or collection of things clean
Tidy up a bit before we go to the movies.
[noun] a purpose, or something you want to achieve
Dave has already achieved many of his goals.
[adverb] after the time mentioned
We can play now but we must clean the house afterwards.
[verb] to give money as a payment for something
My friends are spending too much money.
[adverb] adverb
The project must be done more carefully.
Set your goals
Start by imagining what your goals are. This will help you do the next steps afterwards.
Spend your money carefully
Marie Kondo’s idea of cleaning is by categories like clothes and books. Do the same way on how you spend your money and divide it into three parts: wants, needs, and savings.
Don’t miss a payment!
Make your bill payments automatic. By doing so, you’ll have a better chance of not missing a payment by accident.
With these, you can “spark joy” by managing your budget, Marie Kondo style!
Complete the sentences by using the words in the box.
| carefully | tidy | spend | goal | afterwards |
- Don’t _____ too much money on food.
- _____ up your mess.
- Read the instructions _____.
- The teacher will check our exams _____.
- My _____ for this year is to lose weight.