Numeracy
Numeracy shows up in more areas of my life than I realized until I started reflecting on it seriously for this portfolio. It’s not just about numbers – it’s about making informed decisions, tracking patterns, understanding risk, and being able to pivot based on what the data is telling me. Whether I’m reviewing property plans, making investment decisions, building DIY projects, organizing fundraisers, or quoting a job, I’ve learned that confidence with numbers isn’t just technical – it’s personal. It shows up in how well I can plan, problem-solve, and adapt to change.
When I organized a 50/50 draw for Valley Cats, a local cat rescue organization that I also foster for, I had to go beyond simply planning an event. I researched multiple online platforms, compared fees, analyzed service reviews, and considered user experience from both an organizer and public standpoint. I wasn’t just looking for the cheapest option. I wanted something reliable, transparent, and accessible to all kinds of supporters. After choosing the platform, I used their built-in spreadsheets to track digital ticket sales and payouts, but also created my own Excel tracker for in-person cash sales. That spreadsheet included detailed logging of when I received cash, when I input it into the system, and who had sold each batch of tickets. Keeping this information accurate and up-to-date helped me cross-check discrepancies and prepared me in case of an audit. On the administrative side, I was responsible for ensuring our organization met all the BC gaming and licensing requirements. That meant gathering our society’s incorporation documents, submitting board meeting minutes, and confirming our non-profit was in good standing. These forms required accurate historical and financial reporting. I had to think like both a treasurer and a project manager, with paperwork I did not initially have access to. The experience taught me how important precision and documentation are when handling money on behalf of a cause. It also showed me how to organize financial workflows that others could step into and understand quickly.
I also apply numeracy every day in managing my personal investments. I use a self-directed brokerage account that includes a mix of mutual funds, ETFs, individual dividend and growth stocks, GICs, and government bonds. I’ve built a diversified portfolio that aligns with both my short-term goals and long-term plans for financial independence. I regularly review how my money is spread across different types of investments, check how they’re performing, and keep an eye on how the market is moving. I read analyst reports, review financial statements, and keep track of quarterly earnings trends. While I haven’t built spreadsheets myself, I regularly use the brokerage’s built-in tools to check on my portfolio’s performance, review dividend returns, and see long-term projections. Earlier in my investing journey, I was more reactive and emotion-driven, but now I use a rational approach grounded in data and long-term forecasting. One moment that stands out is when I reallocated funds out of a low return mutual funds into ETFs with better performance after comparing historical growth and calculating the difference over 10 years. That alone made a significant impact on my projected returns. I’ve come to see numeracy as essential to autonomy with understanding the numbers gives me confidence in planning for the future and knowing when to adjust.
Running my janitorial business also gave me practical, hands-on numeracy experience. I wasn’t just cleaning businesses – I was managing budgets, setting rates, adjusting pricing structures, and forecasting cash flow. I used professional invoicing software that logged quotes, client histories, invoice status, and income reports. I studied those reports regularly to track seasonal trends, identify high-performing services, and determine where to cut costs. I started by researching the going rates in my area, then compared that against supply costs, labour hours, and travel time. As the business grew, I had to adjust for things like wage increases, rising material prices, and fuel costs. I created formulas that helped me calculate time-per-clean estimates based on square footage and service type. When I realized that the volume of website inquiries was outpacing my capacity, I reviewed analytics and pulled data on lead conversion from the website to determine how many clients my business could realistically handle without expanding anymore. That led to the strategic decision to shut down the website – not because demand was low, but because the business had grown beyond what I wanted to manage. That level of data-driven decision-making helped me avoid burnout and operate within sustainable limits. Initially, I created internal documents that tracked repeat service dates, supply orders, and payroll hours. When I hired staff, I updated policies and reworked service timing templates to reflect real-world performance instead of estimates. This kind of trial-and-error learning helped me develop strong systems for quoting, scheduling, and profitability.
One example of a more detailed calculation was when I was adjusting pricing for my janitorial services. I built a simple spreadsheet that factored in square footage, type of cleaning, labour time, and travel distance to generate accurate quotes. I tested the formula by plugging in real client data, then compared the projected margins to actuals over a few months. That helped me tweak the formula for better accuracy and made quoting way faster and more consistent. I also had to consider things like rising supply costs and wage increases, so I added variables to make updating the numbers easy when those factors changed.
One of the most directly applicable areas of numeracy in my city job came through blueprint reading and zoning analysis. I took a blueprint reading course that deepened my understanding of scale conversions, layout orientation, and square footage measurements. That course gave me confidence to interpret development plans, verify building coverage and setbacks, and apply BC Building Code regulations correctly. I regularly review plans that require numerical analysis – calculating floor area ratios, determining parking stall requirements based on occupancy type and building use, and confirming lot coverage percentages. I’ve had to correct submissions when I notice discrepancies between reported and actual measurements, and I’ve guided applicants on how to meet minimum code standards using math-based solutions. One example is reviewing a permit application where the developer miscalculated gross floor area in relation to their secondary suite requirements, which affected the ability to have a secondary suite in the first place. I caught the error, confirmed it using measurement tools, and helped the applicant submit a corrected plan meeting the square foot requirements. This reinforced how essential numeracy is to effective governance – it affects safety, accessibility, and legal compliance.
What I’ve realized is that numeracy isn’t about memorizing equations – it’s about being able to break a problem down, think logically through each piece, and verify your assumptions. It’s also about knowing when to question a number, when to recalculate, and when to simplify for clarity. In every part of my work and personal life, I rely on this skill to make better decisions, communicate clearly, and create systems that others can follow. My comfort with numbers didn’t come from one course – it came from years of applying them to real-world challenges and learning from the results. I now see numeracy as a tool for clarity, confidence, and leadership.
Evidence supporting Numeracy
5.1 Client quote for Platinum Pro Services
5.2 Client invoice for Platinum Pro Services
5.3 Client payment records for Platinum Pro Services
5.4 50/50 fundraiser documentation (registration)