I use the index as a sort of quasi-commit, which lets me effectively step back one revision if needed. I find this to be a lighter-weight option than many commi

I use the index as a sort of quasi-commit, which lets me effectively step back one revision if needed. I find this to be a lighter-weight option than many commits that may be meaningless, while providing probably 90% of what those commits would give me throughout the day. As a result I typically make 4-5 actual commits but may have had many transient points at which I could have - and sometimes did - revert a set of changes.