IN: For one reason or another ( we 're blaming the economy and the price of gasoline for the higher food prices ) , my house 's joint bank account ran dangerously low in funds before the end of March and the next round of paychecks . We use this account to pool our earnings so that we can pay for food , internet and phone services . We ' ve never had trouble budgeting before , but for whatever reason the last couple months have n't quite added up .
What may happen as a result of their financial issues ?

OUT: They will create a new budget .

IN: At least he was in the ballpark , and he did get better at it . The last few years ' gifts could be called tasteful in a charitable way and he did it himself out of his allowance . This year a gag gift suggested itself . It was perfect .
What may he been getting better at ?

OUT: Gift giving .

IN: A lot of conversations related to Olympics and China came up recently among friends . I did n't really pay much attention to Olympics . I was n't really excited about it . ( However , I was very excited about China 's entry into WTO , and I could hardly sleep for the whole night because of the excitement .
What type of things interest the narrator ?

OUT:
They love economics .