The common use of calculators to women is to help them in balancing check books, to figure foreign currency conversions when travelling, and to make patterns and recipe adjustments; with regards to men, they can use calculators in filling out tax forms, when they are calculating the amount of car wallpapers, lumber and paint that they will need for redecorating, and when determining gasoline mileage on the automobile; students, on the other hand, can use calculators in speeding up their homework and in cutting down calculations in mathematics. These calculators have become so famous because their prices also became cheaper; unlike in the early 1970s when they cost $400, you can buy them today with a price that is just as cheap as dresses.   That is why many people are considering to buy one, but it would be very wise to ask ourselves first if we really need to have a pocket calculator or if they also have disadvantages that we need to consider. As we might all expect, calculators also have disadvantages like any other gadget; one example to that is it needs time and attention because it involves money. Know how much you would use it; in your case the few occasions when you would really be helped by having a calculator might not justify the cost, even with the recent low prices and you do not want to put money into something that you may not need, or that may be just a toy for a few days. Also, it will take you some time to learn how to use a calculator and you will have to think about repairs if it breaks, as well as about getting batteries for it periodically if it is of the type that requires such.