$38,500 is the total operating expense for January
Solution:
                                    Jan     Feb      Mar
Sales Budget                        50,000   60,000  70,000
Operating Expenses Budget              Jan     Feb     Mar
Variable operating expenses:
Power cost (40% of sales) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 20,000 Â 24,000 Â 28,000
Misc. expenses (5% of sales) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2,500 Â Â Â 3,000 Â Â Â 3,500
Fixed operating expenses:Salary expense  8,000   8,000   8,000
Rent expense                         5,000   5,000    5,000
Depreciation expense                  1,200    1,200    1,200
Power cost (40% of sales) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 800 Â Â Â Â 800 Â Â Â Â 800
Misc. expense (fixed portion) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1,000 Â Â Â 1,000 Â Â Â 1,000
Total operating expenses              38,500   43,000   47,500