財謎是這樣練成的

出租房間

昨天接兒子回家的路上，老爸就開始逗兒子：“Son, Sue 阿姨 is selling her house. She wants torent your room. How much are you going to charge her each day?”

財謎兒子一聽有錢，馬上有了精神：“How long is she going to stay？”

老爸信口胡說：“Probably 6 months.”

兒子馬上就開始了他的“心算”：“6 months is 180 days. So I only need 1 dollar each day.I can make 180 dollars. No, more than that because there are 31 daysfor some months. Plus my money in the bank, I will have more than 400dollars. I will be rich. Dad, if I have 400 dollars in the bank, can Iearn a penny each day as interest?”

“Yes.”

得到老爸的肯定答複，兒子高興了：“Dad, I only charge her 1 dollar a day. ”

“Then, where are you going to stay?” 老爸繼續逗。

“I will sleep in your and mom's room, on the floor, ok?”有錢還是可以作一些犧牲的。

“How did you figure out 1 dollar a day.”老爸問兒子。

“You know, we only paid 20 dollars a day in the 4-star hotel last timewhen we were in Nashville. So my room only worth 1 dollar, Iguess.”嗯，看樣子定旅館的叔叔還占了老爸不少便宜呢。老爸可是付得比２０塊多多了。

“I will tell 阿姨。I am not sure she decided yet.”

一聽１８０塊錢可能沒法到手，兒子急了：“Dad, please tell 阿姨that the price is negotiable....”


Pig Bank

兒子三天兩頭要去吃Jimmy Jones,說味道比subway的好。老爸經常推脫：“Unless you spend your ownmoney. I have no money. I have to save money for your sister'scollege.”

“Then, who is going to pay my college if sister uses up all your and mom's money?”很正常的問題吧。

“By the time you go to college, dad and mom will be too old. You haveto be on your own. Probably your sister is willing to pay foryou.”得給人家一點希望嘛。

見到姐姐，人家急巴巴地問：“Sister, dad said that you are going to pay my college, right?”

“No way! Get your own!”姐姐凶著呢。

從此以後，和老爸老媽出門shopping,隻要老爸老媽拿到零錢，就一定會進他的pig bank。

（４／３／２００９）