I majored in Accounting. (I know, thrilling, huh?) One of the things I found most interesting, upon graduation and entering life in the "real" workforce is that you don't use most of what you learned. They don't really do it that way!! I guess it was good to know the theory, but that was about the extent of my useful, practical knowledge. Most of what I actually USE I figured out or learned post-college.

Today I offer one of the most helpful tips I learned early on. This is a great time-saver for anyone adding long columns of numbers. (OK, I realize that may not be many of you, but I was desperate for a tip!)

Drop the decimals. Yup! Forget about 'em!

The first bookeeper I ever worked with passed on that little gem. You can add MUCH faster when you're not trying to stick that decimal in there. And, as she said, when I offered a blank stare in response to her suggestion, "You know where they go, don't you?"

Well, by golly, I sure do! So, just add your numbers and stick a decimal before the last two once you have your total. (If a number doesn't have anything in the decimal spot add "00") How easy is that?

And, I must admit I'm FAST on an adding machine. Can you believe they NEVER suggested this idea in my Adding Machines class. (Yes, I really took an Adding Machines class. That one was actually useful)