Mariah is single and has a monthly disposable income of $3,200. Her monthly cash outflow is approximately $2,800. Mariah includes contributions to a retirement plan and money for investments as part of her cash outflow. She has car insurance and a life insurance policy. Mariah has saved $15,000, but wishes to use $10,000 for a down payment on a house. She has also purchased furnishings for a house, which she has in the spare bedroom of her apartment. Mariah hires a financial planner to examine her money management, and he determines that her plan needs work. What part of Mariah’s financial plan would he encourage her to work on and why?

He would encourage her to cut the cost on her apartment, by choosing a cheaper apartment.

Explanation:

According to the statement in the question, Mariah saved a total of $15,000, and wishes to make a down payment of $10,000 on house alone. $10,000 is approximately 67% of the total savings. From further description of the house, we find out that she has a spare bedroom in her apartment which she will also pay for as part of the house payment but she will not use, and Mariah is single. If $10,000 dollars go into her apartment alone, the balance of $5,000 dollars will be insufficient to pay for the other expense which includes; the cash outflow of $2,800, the contribution to a retirement plan, care and life insurance policies and purchase of furnishings, not to talk of the other bills like groceries, cable, water etc. even with her monthly income of $3,200, she will run into debt. Hence she will be advised to settle in a cheaper apartment.