VOA20090530

great recession 经济大萧条

 

in the second half of the year

 

consumer confidence index

 

realtor  房地产经纪人

 

existing homes

 

new single-family houses

 

job losses

 

unemployment

 

jobless

 

mortgage 抵押

 

finance professor 金融教授

 

economic downturn 经济低迷期

 

drive up 抬升

 

California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada drove up the national numbers

 

the early eighties 上世纪80年代

 

Unemployment was almost nine percent in April, the highest since the early eighties.

 

live beyond their means 入不敷出

 

It says many seem to use them to live beyond their means --to spend more than they have.

 

student loan company 贷款市场协会

 

joint responsibility 连带责任

 

persuade students 劝说学生

 

counseling session 咨询会

 

credit card 信用卡

 

Debit card 借记卡

 

take effect 生效

 

college advisers 大学辅导员

 

budget 预算

 

expenses 花费

 

balance 结欠款

 

finance charges 财务费用

 

borrowers 借款人