Numbers R Us

04/05/2026

A challenge for you… Listen to the video by Warren Buffet and then pick one item to calculate future cost.

Why Poor People Keep Buying These 7 ThingsDiscover the 7 purchases that keep people trapped in poverty and learn Warren Buffett's strategies to break free fr...

03/28/2026

I am often amazed at the amount of individuals and small businesses that are out there operating without a budget. Excel has some amazing free templates as well as we have some posted on our website.

Please check out my resource page for some tools for your financial toolbox. You would not take about a sink without the proper tools, nor should you spend your hard earned dollars without a plan in place for each of them! Need help? Call for a free consult!

NUMB3RS R US utilizes resources from a variety of bookkeeping & accounting systems to help keep your financial records up to date and stay within your budget.

01/17/2026

The standard mileage rate increase to 72.5 cents for 2026.

The IRS increased the optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business to 72.5 cents per mile driven, up 2.5 cents from 2025.

01/07/2026

Outlook is cloudy. With housing costs estimated to have risen 11-12% and with Utility bills, food and the cost of nearly everything increasing, Is living an American dream quickly becoming unaffordable and unrealistic?

Retirement on Social Security in 2026 will bring an on average income of $2071 per month. With a one bedroom low income(Section 42 program) rent around $1400 per month, utilities (heat, lights, phone, internet, cable) averaging around $400 and food for one person is around $400 many seniors are already in the red before considering medication, transportation and any orher expenses.

I spent over 10 years working in large multifamily housing. My heart hurts for these families and senior households just getting by. As a single parent, if your kid gets sick and you have to stay home or your car brakes down, You fall and end up in hospital and now have an ambulance and hospital deductible. Congrats now you get to play the “What gets paid this month lottery!”

I have had 70-80 year old men and women in my office crying and about to be homeless because their check is less than the rent.

Oh but wait- Lets cut housing funding because it is lazy people who could be working right? Medicaid or medicare? Foodstamp program? Our elderly and disabled rely on these programs. They cannot work and the workforce is most definately ageist and won’t hire them anyway!

So what can we do?
You can call and write your legislators. They need to hear your story. Send a picture so they see a real person behind the story.

Perhaps, You can seek a room mate (a friend, child, grandchild) , apply for food, housing and heating assistance. Take in a college student by renting a room. This is a win for both of you! Make a monthly spending budget and stick to it! Reach out to your local ADRC (Aging and Disability Office), They often give farmers market vouchers as well as help with Meals On Wheels(which is a donation based meal program). Find an advocate. Someone who is passionate and will be your voice. No kids or family left to advocate for you? A Daily Money Manager can fill that role.

And ya, buy that Powerball ticket (just one) because… we all deserve to dream a little. The Lottery is all we have left in todays economy.

Sources:

https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/housing-market-index/articles/housing-market-predictions-for-the-next-5-years

https://share.google/6xdTM5DUKjQuUE5E1

https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-01903.html

https://www.unbiased.com/discover/banking/what-is-the-cost-of-living-in-wisconsin -much-do-utilities-cost-in-Wisconsin

12/22/2025

As we prepare for 2026, consider making paying off debt your 2026 goal. You do that by:

1.Consider a no spend year. Meaning don’t buy wants only absolute needs.

2. Live by a budget. If it is not in your budget, The purchase is delayed. A good budget will have emergency funds, car repair, gifts, medical, and a weekly stipen for all the little things. All other purchases go on next months budget or go in the wish list.

3. Pay off all small balanced credit cards then order by interest rate. I pay at least $50+interest whenever possible. The higher interest card gets whatever budget allows and when ever something is paid off that balance goes on the highest interest bill. Medical debt usually has very low interest. I pay minimum they allow and these are the last to get paid off (unless they are small and I can pay off in two or three months).

4. Make a plan. Learn to say no. You will never get out of debt if you do not learn self-control and delayed gratification. The feeling of not living paycheck to paycheck far exceeds that feeling the having the item or trip which later only brings guilt.

5. Budget for a reward. After your no spend year is successful, You should have budgeted for a reward. A trip, a large ticket item…Something worthy and will be motivating for you. I mean the feeling of paying off debt is amazing but I say treat yourself! Maybe the treat is having a savings account… for me having grown up in a low income household and later, being a single mom- Having money in my savings account was all the motivation I needed the first time I paid off debt.

I also love clothes. I took myself on a clothes shopping trip. It was very hard for me to not buy clothes all year. As a busy working professional I often spent $300-$500 a month on clothes. Another $300 on hair and nails. My no spend year elminated clothes purchases except a $20/month budget. $10/month on nails(for a specific event that year) and only $20/mo for hair. No hair colors! I had to go all natural!  This no spend budget year came about because I had left my well paid management job and started Numb3rs R Us. If I can do it so can you. All you need is a plan and a commitment to it!

If you need help that is where a Daily Money Manager can help.

12/12/2025

Here is a link to the New tax updates. Be prepared.

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act has a significant effect on your taxes, credits and deductions.

12/05/2025

Here is your friendly reminder to shop within your budget or at least with a pay off plan!

11/19/2025

Thanks DIG for the highlight!

11/19/2025

As a property manager of a large senior housing complex, I often wondered why more folks 55 or better did not cohabitant. Share expense but more importantly, to combat loneliness. Here is a neat article I found. Reminded me of my cohab ideas…

Many adults want to age in place, whether or not it's truly safe for them to do so. Discover the senior housing trend that can enable older individuals to maintain their independence and their safety.

11/02/2025

2026 COLA is 2.8 %.

BREAKING! 75 million Americans will get a 2.8 percent increase in monthly Social Security benefits and SSI payments in 2026. Check our blog for more information: blog.ssa.gov/social-security-announces-benefit-increase-for-2026.

10/13/2025

Find guidance for filing personal income taxes and tax information for businesses, charities and nonprofits, international filers and others.