Comments on: Spare Change: Busy Man Edition

By: Julie M.

Julie M. — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:01:16 +0000

Try looking on meetup.com. In my area, there are meetup groups where Spanish speakers, both native and non-native, get together to hang out. It’s relaxed and social, and a great way to improve your skills. It’s not as direct as a tutor, but more true to real life, plus it’s free.

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By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 28 May 2012 21:19:43 +0000

My brother got his doctorate in Russian last year. I remember him telling me that it was a huge jump in the understanding of a language to start thinking in it. Way to go!

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By: Tara

Tara — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:31:26 +0000

Go to meetup.com and look for a local discussion group in your area. You will get plenty of free practice time!

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By: Drew

Drew — Sat, 26 May 2012 11:10:49 +0000

JD I’m starting to re-learn Spanish using audio courses in preparation for a holiday to the Canaries in August. I used to be low intermediate about 5 years ago so I’m just refreshing the basics at the moment, it’s surprising how if you don’t use it, you lose it! Anyway, just wanted to say that learning another language again has given me a really rich feeling, something that’s difficult to put a price on.

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By: Daisy

Daisy — Sat, 26 May 2012 09:30:08 +0000

Hey Spencer,
What about having A language partner?
I’ve found it a great way to enjoy coffee or dinner with someone while also having a language exchange.
Another thing I’ve found is that some groups or cafes will have a kind of “social hour” if you will, where people meet up to speak in a specific language. I’ve found these events to be very fun and only cost you in whatever food or beverages you order.

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By: Spencer

Spencer — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:37:10 +0000

Woops! Meant per week. Good to know though. I will give the tutor a try. I suppose $50-$100 a week is worth it if you are able to speak it.

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By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:14:13 +0000

Never hurts to have extra, I guess, but I agree. My grandparents are in their 80s, have the tiniest of “retirement accounts” (he was a milkman, she a housewife) and are constantly giving AWAY money to us in the form of gifts etc.

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By: Jacq

Jacq — Fri, 25 May 2012 01:27:39 +0000

Bummer. I got a 25 on the job test. Apparently I like the job.
The MSN money article seems way off track compared to everything I’ve read on the spending habits of older people.

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By: cathleen

cathleen — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:52:31 +0000

Spencer, I don’t know if this works for your situation but the university I attended lets alumni audit any class as long as the professor accepts.
Which is a fantastic deal! I audited Italian for 4 months prior to my first trip to Italy some years ago and it was sooo helpful. (I speak Spanish and French though not natively) and taking the class helped enormously.
And only 25 college kids in my class! The professor spoke only Italian so full immersion, the best way.

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By: J.D. Roth

J.D. Roth — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:10:57 +0000

Per week, Spencer, per week. Not per day.

My tutor costs $25/hour too. Seems to be the going rate. But for me, it’s worth it.

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By: Spencer

Spencer — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:40:05 +0000

4 1/2 hours a day?! Sounds expensive. Do you think you could be where you are without a tutor?

I have been learning spanish for a year and half now on and off and am definitely an intermediate, but don’t think I am anywhere near an advance intermediate. I have been thinking about a tutor, but the cheapest I could find is $25 an hour which is just too much. I don’t have a couple hundred a week to spend on learning a language. I leave for Nicaragua in a couple weeks and my goal was to be conversationally respectable, meaning being able to talk casually with others without major pauses or needing them to repeat themselves, but I am going to fall short. If you think there are alternatives to tutors I am all ears.

Overall pretty cool. Keep up the good work. Love hearing about the spanish lessons and South American trips. Maybe you could start a spanish blog next! I would read =)

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By: Des

Des — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:24:15 +0000

Meh, people use whatever math they want to justify whether a hybrid is worth it. This guy is comparing a Prius to a Corolla, but it is somewhere between a Corolla and a Camry. Figuring out what to compare it to has always been a point of contention. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be anymore, because there are hybrid versions of normal cars now. Using the same logic to compare a Camry to a Camry hybrid gives you a break even point of about 85k miles. Still more than some folks drive a new car, but definitely within the bounds of normal driving for most people.

Of course, you are definitely better off biking or walking, regardless of whether you drive a hybrid.

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By: J.D. Roth

J.D. Roth — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:03:50 +0000

Great question, Josh. My Spanish tutor (from Peru) and my English student (from Spain) are both encouraging me to live in a Spanish-speaking country for six months (or more). In fact, my tutor today told me it’s the only real way I’m going to make large gains now. (That’s not to say that I’m fluent — because I’m not — but that I’m solidly intermediate and to make big gains from here on out, I need to immerse myself.)

The trouble? I’m happy. Right now, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I’m still making minor adjustments, but nothing major. I’ve learned from years of experience that when I’m happy, it’s best to just ride things out. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” (Try explaining that in Spanish to a non-native speaker! I couldn’t do it.)

So, for now at least, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to keep living life the way I have been. I love it. If I find a few months from now that I’m fundamentally unhappy, moving to South America is top on my list of things to do. No joke. I recognize it’s something that is calling me. I hear it. I’m tempted. But for now, my heart and mind are here in Portland.

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By: Josh @ Live Well Simply

Josh @ Live Well Simply — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:23:54 +0000

I’m curious, J.D. Do you plan to live in a Spanish speaking country for an extended length of time as part of your language learning experience? I’ve heard it is one of the keys to language acquisition.

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