How to Determine Calculator Needs

Whether it's coupon savings, calorie counting or budgeting for a mortgage, the reasons for having a calculator vary. Before your next big purchase, make sure you've thought about your calculator needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Determine your need for a calculator. Take some time to write down everything you do in a week. For example: go to the gym, buy groceries, pay bills, help the kids with homework. This may seem silly, but you have a much greater chance of remembering everything if you write it down.
2. Decide if you need a calculator for everyday math, or for something more complicated. If you are paying bills, counting calories, or inventorying your material possessions, you'll want a basic math calculator that can help you out when you can't seem to get it right in your head.
3. Think about all areas of your life, such as a job that requires creating formulas, graphs, conversions or percentages. If you or your child are enrolled in a high-level math or science class, such as calculus, trigonometry, or chemistry, In this case, your calculator needs are beyond basic math, and you will want to consider purchasing a higher-quality calculator.
4. Look into specialized calculators if you have one specific need for a calculator. It's easy to find a machine that serves a special purpose. For example, if you are looking to count calories, there are Body Mass Index (BMI) calculators, and if you are hoping to study mortgage rates, there are mortgage calculators.
5. Figure out how much you want to spend. Do some light budgeting (in your head, since you don't have the calculator yet!) to decide what you can afford. Calculators run anywhere from $5 to $500, so you have many options when it comes to price.
6. Decide what style of calculator you want. There are solar powered and battery-operated calculators, as well as machines that run on a combination of these two sources. Some calculators have an On/Off button, while others automatically turn off. Usually, upscale models have lids or a flip-top. This may be important to you if you want a clean, dust-free calculator. Some people prefer large keys, while others care more about the screen size. Determining what you want is essential to making the right buy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have weak vision (or just want to help out your eyes) consider purchasing a big-display calculator. These are readily available and have large, easy-to-view screens.
• You may be able to avoid purchasing a calculator if you can find a Web site that offers the calculation needed (see Resources below).
• Some calculators have memory. If you intend to use the machine for storing information, consider how much memory is included.
• Be cautious when purchasing calculators online. They often come in packs of multiple machines and you may not realize you are buying three or more at a time.
• Check to make sure your calculator comes with an instructions manual or a booklet. This is especially important if it's a scientific or graphing calculator.