Money Problems

Alejandro came to London in September to study engineering. He loved the city, but it was much more expensive than Lima. On the first of October he checked his bank account. He had four hundred pounds for the whole month.

In the first week, he spent too much money. He bought coffee every morning and lunch every day near the university. A sandwich cost five pounds, and a coffee cost three. On Sunday he had only two hundred and fifty pounds left. "This is a disaster," he thought.

So Alejandro made a plan. First, he compared prices. The big supermarket near his flat was cheaper than the small shop on the corner, and the market on Saturday was the cheapest of all. There, a kilo of tomatoes cost less than a coffee.

Next, he needed a coat, because it was getting colder. A new coat in the shopping center cost ninety pounds. In a second-hand shop he found a warm black coat for twelve. "It's better than the new one," said his flatmate, Tom.

Then he learned to cook. He called his mother every evening. "How much rice do I need? How many onions?" She laughed and gave him her recipes. He made a lot of soup and a lot of rice with beans. He took his lunch to the university in a box.

At the end of the month, Alejandro checked his account again. He had sixty pounds left. He invited Tom to dinner and cooked his mother's chicken with rice. "This is better than any restaurant," said Tom. "And much cheaper," said Alejandro.