2 INTERVIEW
 

I: Joan, let's start with you.
J: Oh yes, age before beauty.
I: Joan, do you think people have the same attitude to money now as
you did when you were a young woman?
J: Well, I'm 67 now, so things have changed a lot since I was young.
But I think the main difference is that I wouldn't dream of spending
money I didn't have. I've never been a penny overdrawn at the bank,
and I've never had a credit card. I wouldn't be able to sleep at
night. But my daughter' always seems to be overdrawn, and it doesn't
bother her. Isn't that right, Sally?
S: Yes, Mum's right really. I do have credit cards, and I am in the
red, but that's because things are so much more expensive nowadays.
I: And what about you, Nell. You're 23; and you've recently started
your first job. Are you finding it hard to make ends meet?
N:. Definitely — I mean, I'm not earning much yet and I'm paying back
my student loan, so at the end of the month I'm always broke.
I: Sally, what does most of your money go on?
S: Food — feeding a family costs a fortune.
N: I go and eat at Mum's so that I can spend money on clothes. I've
got a weakness for designer clothes without the bank balance to match.
J You see that's another thing — we didn't have all this designer
stuff. I made my own clothes! And I had one good handbag and one good
pair of shoes. Not like these two — they have something new on every
time I see them.
S: But one of the main differences between us is that I work and earn
my own money, whereas you had to depend on an allowance from dad.
J: Yes, I was a housewife so I didn't have a salary. Women are much
more independent financially nowadays and that's a good thing.
I: What advice would you give people about managing their finances?
J Don't spend what you haven't got and always have something put by
for a rainy day.
S: Mm, I think 'life's too short — you can't take it with you, so have
a good time and enjoy it while you can.
J: I don't know how she turned out so irresponsible. I'm not mean, and
I do treat myself to the odd luxury occasionally, but I do think you
should be more careful, Sally.
S: I know, Mum,but I'm going to win the lottery, so I'm going be loaded.
I: Well, that's a good question to end on — how would each of you
spend a million-pound lottery win?
J: Oh, I'd splash out on a world cruise —it's something I've always dreamt of.
S: I'd buy a little place in France and a private plane so I could go
there every weekend.
N: I'd invest it.
J / S: What?
N: Ha ha ... I'm only joking. I'd buy everything in Gucci.