The objective for this activity is for you to get a sense of the cost of living once you are on your own.  You may be surprised how expensive it is to have the basic necessities that you need to live a comfortable life after graduation.  Go ahead and dream a little and keep your goals in mind if you know what you want to do.  Most of all, HAVE FUN.

There are primarily four tasks that make up this Webquest.  Each of these tasks will have a worksheet that accompanies it.  You must print out the worksheet that accompanies each task and fill it out.  Your first task (worksheet #1) will be to find a job and the salary that goes with it.  Your second task (worksheet #2) will be to buy a house.  Your third task (worksheet #3) will be to buy a car, truck, or motorcycle for your mode of transportation.  For your fourth task (worksheet #4) you will answer a few questions developed about other costs of living.

Print out worksheet #1 and then go to monster.com or Occupational Outlook Handbook and find a job.  Answer the questions thoroughly on the worksheet.  Be sure to find out what your SALARY is and WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO LIVE, as well!

Print out worksheet #2 and then go to coldwellbanker.com or homeseekers.com and find a house.  Use the loan calculator provided with the website, or go to Yahoo! Real Estate Loan Payment Calculator to figure out your monthly payment.  Follow the directions on the worksheet for the interest rate and the length of the loan.

Print out worksheet #3 and then go to any automobile or motorcycle site and find a mode of transportation.  Use the loan calculator provided with the website, or go to Yahoo! Car Loan Payment Calculator to figure out your monthly payment.  Follow the directions on the worksheet for the interest rate and the length of the loan.  The following are some suggested websites for finding different modes of transportation:

                    gm.com
                    ford.com
                    chrysler.com
                    autotrader.com
                    honda.com
                    harleydavidson.com

Print out worksheet #4.  This worksheet gives you insight into other costs of living that you have not accounted for.  Ask your parents for help on this worksheet.  They will be able to give you some tremendous insight into the cost of living.