Question

Louise McIntyre's monthly gross income is $2,000. Her employer withholds $400 in federal, state, and local income taxes and $160 in Social Security taxes per month. Louise contributes $80 per month for her IRA. Her monthly credit payments for Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards are $35, $30, and $20, respectively. Her monthly payment on an automobile loan is $285.(a) What is Louise's debt payments-to-income ratio?(b) Is Louise living within her means?

Answer 1

Answer:

a) 27.2%

b) No

Explanation:

Given:

Monthly gross income = $2,000

Federal, state, and local income taxes = $400

Social Security taxes per month = $160

IRA per month = $80

Monthly credit payments for Visa, = $35

Monthly credit payments for MasterCard, = $30

Monthly credit payments for Discover cards = $20

Automobile loan payment = $285

Now,

Net income of Louise = Gross income - Total Taxes - IRA

= $2,000 - ( $400 + $160 ) - $80

= $1,360

Total debt payments = Credit card payments + Automobile loan payment

= ( $35 + $30 + $20 ) + $285

= $370

Therefore,

Debt payments-to-income ratio = $\frac{\textup{Debt payments}}{\textup{Net income }}$

= $\frac{\textup{370}}{\textup{1,360}}$

= 0.272

or

= 0.272 × 100% = 27.2%

(b)  An individual should not spend more than 20% of their net income as debt to be within the means.

Since, the debt payments-to-income ratio exceeds 20 percent of her net income.

Hence, Louise is not living within her means