Doloris is a college sophomore. She is currently living in a dorm and signed a contract to pay the dorm fees for the full academic year (9 months). The contract states the if she moves out she can sell the remaining contract to another student. The cost of the dorm is $5000 for the year.
After two (2) months of living in the dorm Doloris found an apartment with her friends and really wants to move off-campus. Doloris put an ad in the Alligator and had two offers for her dorm contract buy out.
1) Pay Doloris $350 per month for the 7 remaining months.
2) Move in the second semester and pay half of the original dorm fee ($2,500).
Doloris's new apartment will cost $450 in rent. The cost for food in the dorm is $500 per month and about she estimates it is $400 in food and utility monthly expenses if she moves into the apartment.
Assume semesters are 4.5 months long.
Required:
1. What is the cost for Doloris to move into the apartment now?
2. What is the cost for Doloris to move at the end of the semester?
3. What is the cost for Doloris to stay in the dorm for the rest of the school year?
4. Which is the most economical option for Doloris?