The Choices

Which answer is correct?

Multiply gross monthly income by 0.28.

  1. A $1,680
  2. B $2,240
  3. C $2,880
  4. D $3,600

Answer: B · $2,240

Twenty-eight percent of $8,000 is $2,240. That is a rule-of-thumb ceiling, not permission to spend that much.

The money lesson

The rough ceiling is $2,240. The math is $8,000 × 0.28, before considering taxes, insurance, repairs, and lifestyle.

This puzzle is designed to make one financial rule easier to remember. Use it as a starting point, then run your own numbers before making a real-world decision.

Read the affordability guide →