[Rick Lee]

When I was a loan officer before they started using laptops, I absolutely had to have a calculator AND keep on top of my algebra. When I wandered into an open house and a realtor introduced me to a prospective buyer, I had to perform right then and there. If some guy comes up and says, "I make $50k a year, have no debt and have $10k for a down payment and closing costs. What can I buy?" Well, you have to know algebra for that. Of course, there are plenty of computer programs now, probably even available on a PDA or Blackberry nowadays. But back then, I had to do it the old fashioned way. I actually enjoyed it and appreciated my edumacation more for it.