Full confession, I don’t see myself as financial. I almost failed accounting at Wharton, which would have meant that I would have had to take it again during the summer. But I believe in the story that numbers tell.

I have learned to appreciate simple math. What do I define as simple math? In my personal life, it’s knowing how much I spend a month in fixed expenses. How much is in the checking account. How much I’ve charged on the credit card.  How much is in my wallet and how much cash I’ve withdrawn at the ATM. How much is coming in and the after-tax impact. Am I saving anything, and is it enough?

The math helps me know how I am doing. This article in Esquire which interviewed 4 men at different income levels was really interesting. What struck me was how disciplined folks were about knowing their numbers.  What also struck me was how hard it is to get out from under.