2. Priya has come to you, a financial advisor, for guidance regarding her financial situation.
After completing her nursing degree, Priya was hired as a registered nurse at a local hospital with an annual salary of $75,000. To transition into her new career, Priya used a combination of savings and borrowing to purchase a reliable used SUV, furnish her rented townhome, and buy necessary medical scrubs and equipment.
Currently, after Priya pays her planned monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, and minimum payments on her car and student loans, she has a budget surplus of $950 left over. She wants to use this surplus to pay off her high-interest credit card debt as quickly as possible and build a larger emergency fund.
Priya also wants to begin saving for retirement using the hospital's 403(b) retirement program. For every 1% of her salary that Priya contributes to the program, her monthly net pay will decrease by about $55, but her retirement savings will increase by $125, thanks to tax savings and a dollar-for-dollar employer match. If she contributes 5% of her salary, her employer’s matching contribution would add $3,750 in free savings each year.
Priya’s assets include her used SUV worth $22,000, furniture and electronics worth $3,500, and a savings account balance of $1,500, for total assets of $27,000. Her liabilities consist of a student loan balance of $35,000, a car loan balance of $18,000, and credit card debt of $6,000, for total liabilities of $59,000.
Figure 1. Priya’s Assets and Liabilities
Using data from Figure 1, identify a difference between Priya’s total assets and her total liabilities.
Describe a financial challenge or opportunity indicated in the scenario that is currently impacting Priya’s ability to achieve her financial goals.
Explain how a specific action taken by Priya could help her achieve one of her financial goals.