Bond Company budgets the following purchases of direct materials for the first quarter of the year:

JanuaryFebruaryMarchBudgeted purchases$190,000$142,000$147,000

All purchases of direct materials are made on credit. On average, the company pays for 80% of its purchases in the month of acquisition and the remainder in the following month. Purchases take place fairly evenly throughout the month.

Required:

1. For the months of February and March, what are the budgeted cash payments for purchases of direct materials under the assumption that there is no (cash) discount for early payment?

2. For the months of February and March, what are the budgeted cash payments for purchases of direct materials under the assumption that the purchase terms are 2/15, net 30? The companys policy is to take advantage of all cash discounts for early payment.

3a. Using the purchase terms in Requirement 2, calculate the opportunity cost if Bond does not decide to take advantage of the early payment discount.

3b.Can it be considered good economic policy to take advantage of early payment discounts?