Argh. I hate it when even little bits of money are wasted here and there. Or perhaps not wasted, but not spent thoughtfully, either.

Take December, for example. I'm actually okay with things like this: an extra gift here and there, extra gas for day trip, eating out on a weeknight that was triple-booked with children's activities. I kind of expect a little of that, which is why there's an "other" category.

I'm not okay with having to buy extra toiletries while on a four-day trip because life was too crazy before we left, so we packed too fast, and forgot toothbrushes, cold medicine, toothpaste and face wash...especially because there was a large stockpile of all those items at home. And the right things weren't on sale. And I didn't have coupons with me.

I'm also bothered by spending more on things than I think I should, but feeling somewhat trapped...even if it's just a few dollars. I took Swimbaby2 to a big meet, and he needed power bars. I know I can get them for $1 each without too much effort, but I dropped the ball and we ran out. I was not happy to pay $2 each at the snack bar at the pool.

When things get busy, those little things get forgotten first. And things really got busy in November and December. So for January, I am going to re-focus on the small things.

-I can turn the thermostat down just one degree and make a small difference in the bill.
-Using the IRS standard mileage as a guideline, I can save $1.60 every day that I ride my bike to work.
-refocus on coupons, vegetarian meals, shorter showers, shopping around a bit for gas prices (usually Costco has the cheapest gas around here), etc.
-Get those items in the box listed on ebay. Sure, they might only bring in a $2-3 profit each, but it will be a profit, and the focus here is "small." And the big bonus with this is that the stuff will be out of the house!
-Turn in the 3-4 receipts that are sitting on my desk, so I can get reimbursed. Really, not a big deal, but I'm focusing on small!

For some reason, tending to the small things makes the larger goals seem less daunting. I've got some big goals for the year, and some significant financial changes coming within the next year. But just for a few weeks, I'll be thinking of the little stuff. What little actions make you feel better?

Yesterday I made three dinners and put them in the freezer, plus made some breakfast danish-kind of things and put those in the freezer, too.