I worked as a daily newspaper reporter for 15 years, so I usually worked with The AP Stylebook handcuffed to my wrist. Back in the newspaper days of yore, if you didn't know AP style, your editors would suggest a career in hotel-motel management.

But even after all those years pounding out deadline stories, I am still hazy about the rules for using numbers in stories, press releases, and marketing.

This morning I stumbled across this great cheat-sheet.

Print it out, and tack it up in your cubicle. It's a useful and easy tool to use when pumping out those press releases and financial results.

And here's a bonus tip from me that is not included in the above link:

When using numbers, always try to set them in context. Here are a couple of great examples:

When using the number $15 billion, you might write, “$15 billion amounts to just $1 a week for every person in the U.S. for one year.”

There are other great examples of putting numbers in context in this entertaining interview from NPR:

And remember the great quote attributed to former Illinois Sen. Everett Dirksen: "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money."

Readers: Do you have a favorite example of when you set numbers in context?

We'd like to hear it.