VOA常速英语2016--年轻人应合理利用信用卡 构筑自身信贷能力

年轻人应合理利用信用卡 构筑自身信贷能力

Stefanie O'Connell graduated from New York University with a degree in drama and a big debt. With few job opportunities, she became cautious¹ about her finances², that has led her onto a completely different career path, as a financial expert.

斯蒂芬妮刚从纽约大学戏剧专业毕业时负债累累。那时候她手上没有几个工作机会，于是便对自己的财务打理谨慎起来。这也让她走上了一条与自身专业迥然不同的职业道路——理财师。

Through her wealth management blog, she has discovered that a lot of millennials are just like her.

她通过自己的理财博客发现，很多千禧年毕业的学生都有类似的情况。

"They're wary³ of spending beyond their means, They're wary of tools like credit cards," she explained. "They're wary of taking any kind of risk, even if it is a smart risk, like investing."

“共同点是：大家都不敢超出自己支付能力去支出，不敢使用信用卡这样的工具，也不敢冒任何风险，即便是像投资一样与收益同在的风险”。

What O'Connell sees among her blog readers is supported by Federal Reserve data, which indicates the percentage of Americans under 35 who hold credit card debt has fallen to its lowest level since 1989.

美联储的数据也发现了与斯蒂芬妮一样的结果：35岁以下、持有信用卡的美国人比例已达到自1989年以来的历史新低。

Credit cards are an integral⁴ part of the U.S. financial system. Without one, it becomes harder for young people to purchase many goods and services, from a cellphone to an apartment.

信用卡是美国金融体系的有机组成部分。如果没有信用卡，现在的美国年轻人很难购买实物或服务，比如手机、住房等。

"It's critically important for a young person to build credit, to build strong credit,” Levin said. “It doesn't mean that you over credit yourself, but it means that you are wise about your credit, you are a responsible payer, and you don't get yourself in over your head."

莱温表示，构建信贷能力，尤其是较强的信贷能力，对年轻人来说尤为重要。这并不代表年轻人要透支自己，而是代表着他们可以妥善经营自己的信贷，能够负责人地支出不会超出自己能力范围行事。

Apps like Level Money, also known as the financial GPS, can help young people build credit while living within their means.

一些理财app，比如被称作金融GPS的Level Money，可以帮助年轻人在自身能力范围内构建信贷能力。

The apps serve as an online adviser⁵, helping⁶ they make better spending decisions and not go deeper into debt.

这些app可以作为在线顾问，帮助学生们更好地理性消费，不会深陷债务之中。

1 cautious   

adj.十分小心的，谨慎的

参考例句：

• We should not only be bold,but also be cautious.我们不仅要大胆，而且要谨慎。
• He was cautious about his work.他对工作非常谨慎。

2 finances   

n.(pl.)财源，资产

参考例句：

• I need a professional to sort out my finances. 我需要专业人士为我管理财务。
• The company's finances are looking a bIt'shaky. 这个公司的财政情况看来有点不稳定。

3 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

4 integral   

adj.必不可少的，构成整体所必需的

参考例句：

• She is our best player,who is integral to our team.她是我们最好的球员，我们队离不开她。
• That's an integral part of the country.那是构成国家所必需的一部分。

5 adviser   

n.劝告者，顾问

参考例句：

• They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
• Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。