Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Easy tip/share calculator

At work we’ll sometimes go out to eat for birthdays, splitting the check at the end. At the end of the meal we have to go through two steps; figuring out the tip, then everyone’s share (joys of going dutch). Sometimes everyone fends for themselves, but the birthday boy/girl gets their meal for free, with the rest of us splitting the bill.

a b c d
1 Bill Tip % Amount Total
2 format as $ format as % =a2*b2 =a2+c2
3
4 # of people $ per
5 1 =d2/a5

Its easy enough. Things are laid out the way they are so its easy enough to adjust. You put in your bill into a2, the percentage you want to tip into b2, and the rest gets figured out for you. If you’re splitting something, change the 1 in a5 to however many people you’re splitting by.

For instance, if me and two friends of mine went to eat, with the meal costing $24 and is wanting to tip 30%?

a b c d
1 Bill Tip % Amount Total
2 $24.00 30 $7.20 $31.20
3
4 # of people $ per
5 3 $10.40

Easy enough! Again, its one of those things I’ve seen apps for but if you’ve got a spreadsheet on your smartphone? No need to buy or download one (important if you don’t have a data plan currently!). And, before you say that nobody has a smartphone without a data plan, keep in mind I was without one for almost two years, plus there are people who have had to turn off the data service to save money! A smart phone can be very useful, even without the data plan!

Plus, there is the iPod Touch to consider, too! There are a few spreadsheet apps available in the app store, after all :)

The more I mess with spreadsheets, the more I find how useful they are. The fact you can carry one around with you in your pocket, as opposed to needing a laptop or desktop, means you’re not chained to your desk. And, ultimately, that is what a smartphone is all about.

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