Book Nook - Math Hack Secrets: Level Up to Keep More of Your Money

 As a math teacher, I really try to encourage math literacy in my students - no matter what class I'm teaching. I love it when I get to teach personal finance courses, because it's such a practical application of math. And since many people don't have a strong sense of math literacy or an intuitive sense of numbers, they may be losing out on hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year.

I recently had a chance to review the book Math Hack Secrets: Level Up to Keep More of Your Money. This book focuses on truly practical math, and how it relates to groceries, credit cards, loans, and more. The book includes common errors people make when budgeting or shopping, how stores use pricing tricks to get consumers to pay more, how to really figure out if you're earning credit card rewards, and other smart strategies. It also includes mental math strategies for splitting bills and tracking expenses.

The book also includes some topics particularly for families - how to teach your kids money math, instill smart financial habits early, and make everyday activities learning moments.

The book was clearly written in a way that even people who are math-phobic will be able to understand. It's an essential book for everyone who knows they could be doing better with their spending.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

Can you share a little about the book?

Math Hack Secrets is a personal finance book. Math Hack Secrets helps everyone find ways to save money while they are buying food, clothing or large purchases. This book can be the personal finance class many people never took in school but needed. 

Why did you write this book?

I wrote this book because I have seen young people and adults struggle with math skills, overpay for everyday items and find themselves short on money at the end of the week or month. I want to especially reach families who are living paycheck to paycheck, by sharing tips and tricks to learn simple math tools to compare prices and pay less for items. They can then save money and put it away for themselves. This book will be my way to give my knowledge to the community so they can make better decisions about their spending and their personal finances.

I especially want to help children and young adults save money. Many people struggle financially and didn't learn how using simple math can improve their financial well-being.

The book explains how simple math can help a person make informed purchasing decisions. Using math skills can influence a child’s financial situation as an adult. The book introduces a new concept called a Money Keeping Journal. The journal is referenced throughout the book, as a way to track savings on everyday purchases.

Why is it important for people to have strategies for everyday math?

It is important to know “why” the simple math is important. Once a reader understands “why” it is important, they may be motivated to implement a plan to save money on everyday purchases. When purchasing groceries, making significant investments such as vehicles or appliances, or developing a personal budget, the simple math calculations presented in this book will assist both children and adults in keeping more of their money. This is achieved by regularly evaluating each purchasing option and selecting the one that offers the most savings or the best price for the purchase.

How does math literacy help people strengthen their financial picture?

Math literacy is important to improve a person’s financial picture as it empowers them to make informed decisions about their money. By understanding basic mathematical concepts, people can better evaluate their income, expenses, and savings, which helps them create and adhere to a personal budget. Using simple math tricks helps them to compare prices, assess the value of different products, and identify the best deals, ultimately leading to more significant savings and keeping more of their money.

Moreover, being proficient in math allows individuals to plan for long-term financial goals, such as buying a home, investing in education, or saving for retirement. It equips them with the skills to analyze interest rates, understand loan terms, and make sound investment choices. By developing strong math literacy, people can take control of their financial future, avoid debt, and build wealth over time.

How can parents encourage strong money and math skills from an early age?

Parents can establish a savings account for their child and add an initial deposit to the account.

When a child earns money through an allowance, paid housework, etc., the parents can deposit the money in a bank account. The child can observe the deposits increasing their bank account balance. After spending money from the account, the child can see the impact of their spending (a reduced bank account balance). 

I recommend that parents take their children to the grocery store as a teaching tool. In the store, parents can demonstrate how to evaluate prices of various food items and compare prices and quantities to determine the best deal. As a result, the child learns how to shop for any items and save money on the items.

Suzette T Wheeler is a successful real estate investment consultant, agent and author. Suzette is a Distinguished Toastmaster and is a sought-after public speaker. She excelled in her finance skills as a financial analyst and business innovator for local governments.

She received her Master of Business Administration degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with an emphasis in Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Information Technology from UNLV. In her spare time, Suzette loves to golf, snow ski and cycle, and give back to the community. She is a proud Rotarian in the Las Vegas Rotary Club and a member of the Junior League of Las Vegas (sustainer). Suzette resides in Henderson, Nevada.