One of the moral teachings of Judaism is that it is wrong to ask for the price of something that one has no intention of buying. I do that all the time, and Google is happy to oblige.
Maybe I'm a buyer at some price. Maybe I'm just curious. Maybe I'm working up a report to sell for real money.
But I could give a rat's ass about moral teachings. Sheesh!
I don't know how old you are, or what the level of your class is.
But when it comes to money management, that's a long term learning curve.
Have you ever heard of
Dave Ramsey?
He's worth your time, when it comes to learning about controlling your money.
The short version on "the Ethics of Buying" depends on your situation, or your needs (Food, Clothing, Shelter, Security).
"Needs" should always be before "wants".
Now your teacher is probably looking for a bunch of LIBERAL-FEEL-GOOD CRAP, like what the company doing with the profits that they make from the goods you're buying.
But if you shop around, and do research (internet) to get the best price and also save time, then there not a lot of profit they can make off of you.
Most items don't have to be purchased new, either.
Second-hand discount stores can save you a lot of money (E-Bay, OverStock.Com, to name a few).
That should get you started on your paper.
So check out Dave Ramsey on the internet or on the AM Radio, and be sure to have fun.
(Your LIBERAL Teacher probably can't stand him because he's Christian and his money principles are built upon Christian values.)
But remember that it's more than just a paper and a grade.
It's money in your pocket.
It's not what you spend that's important.
It's what you keep (whether it be money or useful items or people that you helped) that matters in the long run.