Lizzie : Mum, can I borrow some money please ?
Michele : It depends. How much do you want ?
Lizzie : 200 Euros.
Michele : That’s a lot ! What’s it for ?
Lizzie : I’d like to buy myself a new phone. I mean, it’s really old and all my friends have this new one.
Michele : I wouldn’t even buy that for myself. I can’t afford it on my salary !
Lizzie : Mum, please.
Michele : No, Lizzie. I’m sorry it’s ridiculous. If you really want it, you can get a student job and save up. You have a bank account.
Lizzie : But that’s so unfair.
Michele : No, it isn’t. It’s the way of the world, I’m afraid. You don’t just get things handed to you on a silver platter.
Paul : Seems that for some people, they just can’t get enough money.
Lizzie : What do you mean ?
Paul : I’m just reading about another celebrity who’s been caught avoiding paying taxes by using offshore bank accounts. It’s scandalous.
Lizzie : Yeah but wouldn’t you be tempted to do that, if you were rich and famous ?
Paul : No, Lizzie it’s wrong. There is up to $32 trillion in untaxed money around the world. That’s money that could be put to better use, helping society.
Michele : That reminds me, we need to file our tax return soon.
Paul : I wish I’d never spoken about taxes now !