Browsing Amazon, I saw my morning K-Cups range in price from $.33 to $1.09 each. I then saw my automatic monthly payment to Google amounts to $.20/day. Out of curiosity, I calculated my daily Sterling expenses for other “necessities.” What does one DAY of living cost?

Car insurance: $6.00

HOA fees: $6.50

Home insurance: $9.00

Property taxes: $4.40

Medical insurance: $6.50

Mobile phone bill: $5.00

Water and trash: $4.65

Xcel Energy: $13.00 for April

Wi-fi: $3.00

YouTube TV: $2.30

Post Office Box: $.52

I did not include groceries and eating out, gas and car repairs, clothing expenses, home repairs, and cleaning products—just what I cannot avoid paying daily for living my life.

My fixed expenses amount to nearly $61.00/DAY. Multiply each by 30 or 31 days, totaling over $1800/month without eating, driving, buying gifts, clothes, prescriptions, vitamins, skincare, paying interest on credit cards, making rent or mortgage payments, or funding school supplies and college tuition. Remember dental and eye care, as well as hair and nails.

My point: Holy Toledo! No wonder we carry thoughts and complaints over the cost of almost everything and anything. Why might we be anxious, worried, discouraged, or terrified? Or, worse yet, throw up our hands and believe it’s impossible. It isn’t.

Whether discussing living expenses, relationships, or health issues, we can always do something, even if it seems hopeless or a waste of our efforts.

Sometimes, we need to break down the details. Ask: How much could my Xcel bill be lowered if I turned down the heat or the air conditioner and remembered to flip off the lights when I left a room? What am I doing or not doing that hurts my relationship? What food can I cut back on or out of my diet to help me lose weight and relieve pressure on my knees?

Little things matter. We likely need a car, but we can walk or bike to work once a week instead of always driving. Maybe we can smile or say “Thank you” to our partners and friends more often. Buying one sweet treat at a restaurant could be less expensive than buying the ingredients for baking a whole pan at home. Walking around the house during each TV commercial could add up to one less pound on the retched bathroom scale.

Breaking down one day of non-negotiable expenses was eye-opening. It helped me see how even little things add up to unmanageable totals. Looking at daily expenditures instead of monthly or annual budgets seemed a bit odd, but it gave me a different insight. It also fueled my compassion, gratitude, and commonsense.

Try it—break it down, add it up, and make little changes—you can significantly improve the big picture financially and mentally. Yes, you can.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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