商务礼节美语第167期:Getting Out of Debt 还清债务(下)

　　Jane向上司Vincent和财务专家Anna请教，如何才能摆脱信用卡债务。Anna建议说：
A: You have to freeze everything and reevaluate your position. Figure out exactly - to the dollar - how much you owe and who you owe it to.
J: How can I get the credit card companies to stop calling me a hundred times a day?
V: (Chuckles) They can be quite persistent¹, can't they?
A: They need to be convinced that you're serious about getting your finances in order. You will probably need to go down and speak with a bank representative.
V: Your bank should be willing to reduce your debt if you can work out a repayment² schedule.
Anna建议Jane "freeze everything and reevaluate your position", 冻结一切财务活动，对现状重新评估，看自己到底欠谁钱、欠多少钱。
要想让信用卡公司别没完没了地打电话催债，stop calling me a hundred times a day, 就要让他们相信，你真心想把债务付清，get the finances in order。 Anna还建议Jane去找银行，work out a repayment schedule，就如何分期分批还清债务达成协议。
J: I think I made a bad decision with my car as well. I chose the five-year payment plan, but with the interest, it's actually much more expensive than the three-year plan.
A: It's very important that you do the math before you sign any papers. Can I be blunt with you?
J: Yes. I can take it.
A: You can't be financially healthy if you're lazy. Many people make really bad decisions just because they're too lazy to really figure it out.
V: I'm sure guilty of that.
J: Yes. I agree. I'm going to start paying better attention.
没错，在任何贷款协议上签字之前一定要do the math，把帐算清楚。Anna说，很多人在财务上犯错误都是因为懒得去算这笔帐。Vincent承认，他就是这样的人，I am sure guilty of that. 言归正传，Anna要还清债务，具体有哪些步骤呢？
V: So let's see if I can summarize the plan. One: Stop spending. Two: Talk to the banks and work out a deal... and three: Pay closer attention to the fine print.
A: That's pretty much it. Becoming a financially healthy person is possible, but it takes exercise.
J: So basically my brain needs to go to the gym.
A & V: (mild chuckle)
J: Thank you both very much. I appreciate your good counsel.
第一：不能再随便花钱。第二：跟银行谈，work out a deal设法达成还钱的协议。第三：以后务必注意财务协议的细则。Anna打比方说，要做一个财务上的健康人是可能的，但需要练习。 Jane也开玩笑，说要让自己的大脑去健身房去锻炼。

1 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

2 repayment   

n.偿还，偿还款；报酬

参考例句：

• I am entitled to a repayment for the damaged goods.我有权利索取货物损坏赔偿金。
• The tax authorities have been harrying her for repayment.税务局一直在催她补交税款。