1. Once upon a time, your mother told you to "pay yourself first" - and you always listened to your mother (except for the time you and two of your friends went to Atlantic City in the middle of the night ... well never mind THAT!). Twice each year (6 months apart) you place $300 in your savings account at your local credit union. The credit union pays 4% annual interest compounded semi-annually. How much will your savings grow to ineight years?
2. You are given a gold coin originally purchased by your great-great grandfather 50 years ago. He paid $1.00 for it at the time. Checking with Coins-R-Us you find the coin is now worth $450. If you sell it now, what will be the rate of return?
3. You hate paying interest, but someday you want to buy a home. Easy - pay cash! After debating how much you should pay for this house, you decide a quarter of a million dollars has a nice ring to it. Assuming your bond fund will pay 8% and you have 12 years to save, how much will you have to save each year?