PmWiki | THS / Expense Research Homework

Name: __________________________

Use the internet to research the following answers for common costs you should expect to incur. Be sure to record the source of your answer (write down link address).

1. How many miles does the average person drive each year?

2. What is the price of a gallon of regular gasoline?

3. The 2010 Honda Civic is recommended as a "best buy" by Consumer reports.

a. Look up the "base price" (cost of a basic model).

b. How much sales tax will you pay on the purchase in Massachusetts?

c. How much auto excise tax will you pay the first year in Tyngsborough?

d. What is the estimated miles per gallon (MPG)?

e. Use your answers from 1, 2, and 3d to calculate how much gas will cost you this year (assuming gas prices don't rise, which may be a bad assumption!)

f. Find a website that lists used cars and find the price for a 2006 Honda Civic with around 50,000 miles on the car.

g. Find a website that lists used cars and find the price for a 2002 Honda Civic with around 100,000 miles on the car.

4. You probably won't be able to get an auto insurance quote very easily, so I'll do this research for you.

5. Go to the MBTA's web site and find the cost of a monthly...

a. Bus/Subway pass

b. Commuter rail pass

6. Research housing expenses for THREE of the options below: Find out the monthly rent for the following apartments (if you find more than one number, perhaps find the range of prices). Also make a note of the size (square feet), whether or not utilities (electricty, heat, hot water) are included, and whether or not parking is included (especially in Campridge or Boston)

a. 2 bedroom apartment in Tyngsborough

b. 2 bedroom apartment in Lowell (commuter rail access to Boston)

c. 2 bedroom apartment in Waltham (close to Boston, can use bus or commuter rail)

d. 2 bedroom apartment in Somerville (closer to Boston, can use subway; close to the lively night life!)

e. 2 bedroom apartment in Cambridge (easy subway to Boston, across the river from Boston, lively night life)

f. 2 bedroom apartment in Boston's Beacon Hill neighhorhood (ritzy part of Boston)