Mary Jones completed her Master’s degree at Webster University ten years ago, and recently inherited $125,000. After taxes of $20,000, and a couple of parties and cruises, she still has $100,000. It is in a short-term CD earning 1%. She has been working for 10 years at a job that pays her $45,000 a year, plus benefits. She is a single mom, 50 years old and has one child left at home who will be graduating from high school this year and plans to go to college. She has been interested in starting a business of her own for some time, but never had the funds to jump start the idea.

Her monthly expenses which include mortgage, car payments insurance, etc. are $3,500

Harry Smith works at the same place. He is a single dad with one child that is a junior in high school who plans to go to college. He earns $45,000 plus benefits each year and is also 50. He and Mary have talked about starting a business off and on for several years. He has accumulated $100,000 that he is willing to commit.

His monthly expenses which include mortgage, car payments insurance, etc. are $3,200

They have agreed that a fast-food business of some sort would work for them. They are looking at some businesses that are available now. Neither has any experience in this type of business.

1. Charlie’s Fast Snacks can be bought for $40,000 down and $60,000 (0 interest) over the next 5 years.

2. Jill’s Juice Bar can be bought for $30,000 down and $70,000 (0 interest) over the next 5 years.

3. The Squeeze Box (a franchise). $75,000 down and $25,000 (5% interest) over the next 5 year

Which of the three small businesses in the Harry and Mary case should they buy?