Let's pretend you have recently completed your educational goals and have secured a new job in a new location - Congratulations!

This project relates to the following course objectives:

• Judge the reasonableness of results using estimation, logical processes, and a proper understanding of quantity.
• Differentiate between simple and compound interest and analyze the long-term effects of saving, investing, and borrowing.
• Analyze civic and/or societal issues and critique decisions using relevant mathematics.

For this project, you will research options and analyze costs associated with one of two major needs - housing or transportation. You will explore the options available in the location you have chosen and perform calculations to help you make a decision that meets your needs and is financially sound.

Part One

Perform research to help you answer the questions below. You may use information you gathered in the Money Module Project to create your budget, or research new information. Ensure that your sources are current, since market conditions change over time. You should use reliable, credible and primary sources. Do not use Wikipedia since it is not a primary source

1. Where is your new job located? Where will you be living? Provide a name and specify if you are researching a rural community, small town, city (what size?), suburb, etc.
2. What is the average starting salary for your new job? Be sure to research salaries for the location of the new job, not national trends. Estimate your monthly take-home pay.
3. Which are you going to research - housing or transportation? Pick one.
4. List the options that would be available in your new location. If you picked housing, you might rent a house or apartment, purchase a home or condo, buy (or rent land) and put a mobile home or tiny house on it, etc. For transportation, you might finance a new or used car, buy a used car with cash, arrange a carpool, use public transportation, buy a bicycle, walk, etc.
5. What are the one-time and/or monthly costs associated with each of your options? Will there be maintenance costs? Insurance costs? Taxes? Etc.
6. How does each option fit into your projected monthly budget and desired lifestyle?

Part Two

In Module 2, you performed research to help you answer the Part One questions. Now you will be doingPART TWO(below and attached). You will incorporate your research from Part One into your paper for Part Two. Remember, the Critical thinking committee does not have access to your Part One information. So make sure that you are very detailed and incorporate your information from Part One into your paper.

Using all your research and calculations from Part One, write an essay (1-2 pages) to discuss your options, projected monthly budget, and the estimated costs associated with each option you are considering. What option would you ultimately choose? Make sure to include supporting evidence from your sources and mathematical calculations to defend your choice. Why is it best for you?

STEP	Career and Salary	Amount
1a	Industry of your future career:	Early Childhood Education
1b	Title of your future career:	Daycare Owner
1c	State of the city you want to live in:	Texas (Austin)
1d	Annual Gross Income:	7,000$
2	Monthly Gross Income:	$ 6,000
3	Monthly Net Income:	$ 5,000
STEP	Savings/Retirement	Amount
4a	Select your monthly savings percentage:	10%
4b	Monthly Savings:	$ 500
5a	Select your monthly retirement percentage:	5%
5b	Monthly Retirement:	$ 250
6	Total Monthly Savings:	$ 750
STEP	Money Left for Monthly Expenses	Amount
7	Monthly Amount to Budget:	$ 4,000
STEP	Cost of Living	Amount
8a	Link to home/apartment	https://www.zillow.com/apartments/austin-tx/overture-arboretum-60+-apartment-homes/CkBNst/
8b	Are you renting an apartment or buying a home?	renting an apartment
9	Monthly Mortgage/Rent Payment:	$ 1,885
10	Monthly Renter's/Homeowner's Insurance	$ 25
11	Total Monthly Costs of Utilities	$ 200
12	Total Cost of Living	$ 2,110
STEP	Transportation	Amount
13	Monthly Car Payment	$8,000 car -- $240 per month
14	Monthly Car Insurance	$ 150
15	Monthly Car Maintenance	$ 75
16	Monthly Gas Cost	25 mi/day -- $100 gas per month
17	Total Monthly Cost of Transportation	$ 565
STEP	Food	Amount
18	Monthly Grocery Cost	Moderate Cost -- $322 per month
19	Monthly Cost of Dining Out	1 meal/week @ $10/meal ==> $40 per month
20	Total Monthly Cost of Food	$ 362
STEP	Health	Amount
21a	Monthly Cost of Health Insurance	$ 200
21b	Monthly Cost of Dental Insurance	$ 30
21c	Monthly Cost of Vision Insurance	$ 15
22	Monthly Cost of Haircut Appointment	$ 45
23	Monthly Cost of Grooming/Hygiene	$ 50
24	Monthly Cost of Gym Membership	$ 0
25	Total Monthly Cost for Health	$ 340
STEP	Student Loan	Amount
26	Monthly Student Loan Payment	$20,000 student loan debt -- $230/month student loan payment
STEP	Fun Stuff	Amount
27	Total Monthly Cost of Fun Stuff/Wants	$ 100
STEP	Total Monthly Spending	Amount
28	Total Monthly Spending	$ 3,707
STEP	Monthly Balance	Amount
29a	Balance Surplus/Deficit Amount	$ +293
29b	Is your balance a surplus or a deficit?	Surplus