What's the minimum amount you could earn to have a reasonable standard of living? A recent report in the UK has come up with some figures. In this programme Callum and Jackie discuss the subject and try to agree on what are the necessities and the luxuries of modern life.

This week's question: How much do you think is suggested as being the minimum amount a single man needs for an acceptable standard of life in the UK?

a) £11,200 (about US$22,400)
b) £13,400 (about US$26,800)
c) £15,600 (about US$31,200)

Listen out for the answer to this question at the end of the programme!

Listen
	Cost of living

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Vocabulary from the programme

a budget
the amount of money that is set aside for a particular expense

Examples:
food budget, household budget, clothes budget

to budget
to calculate and set aside money for particular expenses

the Budget
the annual official statement by the minister in the British Government responsible for finance about the economy of the UK. The statement includes details about changes to public spending and taxes.

budget (adjective)
very cheap

Example:
"When we go on holiday we always stay at a budget hotel. It means we have more money for entertainment."

to think long and hard (about something)
to think very carefully about something

Example:
"I thought long and hard before deciding to give up my job and go and live in the country."

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Extras
Download this programme (mp3 - 1.8 MB)
Programme script (pdf - 38 K)

Related Links
Basic cost of living exposed (BBC News Video)
Costs of UK life
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