Did you ever catch yourself tuning out in math class or wondering when you’d ever use the skills you were being taught?

Here’s why you should have paid attention. A study by the University of Miami School of Business found that poor math skills lead people to make bad shopping decisions. That means you might think you’re getting a better deal than you really are because you didn’t do the math.

Taking a few seconds to calculate whether a deal is really a deal is always a good idea. I admit I’m not always great at doing that math in my head. But since I carry a cell phone with a calculator, help is always in my purse or pocket.

To read more about the study and how we shop, visit www.goerie.com/article/20120821/BUSINESS05/308219962/Bad-math-skills-cause-customers-to-miss-bargains-study-finds