Math is hard ....
I'm sorry I haven't been blogging. The wireless Internet at home isn't working and my roommate who manages the Wi-Fi router isn't around.
I hate paying for spotty Internet connection at home. I haven't been able to do my taxes and I have a few weeks left!
So lately I'm struggling with applying concepts of math to prepare for this $2,000 prep course. The exam's coming up in two weeks - April 7th to be exact.
Everyone tells me to follow the formula and the chart. But you can't just follow a formula and 100% of the time get the answers right. It doesn't work like that. You have to apply the concepts of time, law and math to arrive at the right numbers.
It's like personal finance and investing. You can't tell someone to stick 50% of their portfolio in bonds and another 50% in index funds. One size doesn't fit all. So the next time someone tells me to follow the formula, I'm going to say what matters is the concept.
How can we begin to invest in the stock market or real estate if we don't understand? I think that's what's the problem with American education. The teachers say follow the formula instead of teaching concepts, understanding and application.
And applying the concepts to arrive at the math for this exam is killing me. How many times have I banged my head on a table in frustration because I understood the concepts but couldn't apply the theory to the problem? Too many times ... and that is why I should've been a more diligent student in school and taken the time to understand how to apply these math problems. I wouldn't be struggling as much today likely.
That's my ramble for the day.
I have some really exciting things to share about my job hunt, packing lunches and most importantly investing. Vanguard lowered the fees for some of the funds in my 401K plan. So I'm getting more bang for my buck. I'll update the portfolio and percentage diversity hopefully after April 7th.
I've been reading your blogs but not commenting because very limited connection. I love SavingDiva's idea of posting the receipt to the fridge! I'm going to try that in my next round of grocery shopping so I'm not wasting so much and throwing away food.
I hate paying for spotty Internet connection at home. I haven't been able to do my taxes and I have a few weeks left!
So lately I'm struggling with applying concepts of math to prepare for this $2,000 prep course. The exam's coming up in two weeks - April 7th to be exact.
Everyone tells me to follow the formula and the chart. But you can't just follow a formula and 100% of the time get the answers right. It doesn't work like that. You have to apply the concepts of time, law and math to arrive at the right numbers.
It's like personal finance and investing. You can't tell someone to stick 50% of their portfolio in bonds and another 50% in index funds. One size doesn't fit all. So the next time someone tells me to follow the formula, I'm going to say what matters is the concept.
How can we begin to invest in the stock market or real estate if we don't understand? I think that's what's the problem with American education. The teachers say follow the formula instead of teaching concepts, understanding and application.
And applying the concepts to arrive at the math for this exam is killing me. How many times have I banged my head on a table in frustration because I understood the concepts but couldn't apply the theory to the problem? Too many times ... and that is why I should've been a more diligent student in school and taken the time to understand how to apply these math problems. I wouldn't be struggling as much today likely.
That's my ramble for the day.
I have some really exciting things to share about my job hunt, packing lunches and most importantly investing. Vanguard lowered the fees for some of the funds in my 401K plan. So I'm getting more bang for my buck. I'll update the portfolio and percentage diversity hopefully after April 7th.
I've been reading your blogs but not commenting because very limited connection. I love SavingDiva's idea of posting the receipt to the fridge! I'm going to try that in my next round of grocery shopping so I'm not wasting so much and throwing away food.
posted by SF Money Musings at
1:54 PM
4 Comments:
Good luck on the test and hope you're back to blogging soon!
Btw, are you taking the CPA?
Good luck on the exam! And looking forward reading about how your efforts have panned out on the job search front.
I recently purchased a mutual fund covered the "global" market, meaning Western European Govt. bond funds. I'm just waay to conservative to try anything fancy with my portfolio.
I am so glad to see you back! It was like losing a friend. Best of luck on your test next week. What is it for exactly?
Wanda: I'm taking the custom broker's exam.
Beany: Western European govt bond fund sounds interesting. My portfolio is way too simple and basic so I'm looking to diversify and take some risks.
Irishone: I'm taking the exam so I can apply for a broker's license and transact custom's business including classification and valuation of goods that come in and out of the US.
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