I just realised that there are only 6 more weeks in 2006 to get things done.

For some weeks now I have this running list in my head (to which I keep adding of course) of things I want to get done before january 1. 2007. So I am going to put them here and report on my progress.

1. Get some 'gift worthy'items listed on ebay (I am still a virgin when it comes to ebay) well before the end of november (6 december is the gift giving holiday of Sinterklaas) and in time for christmas.

2. Make a price book for the food items I use most. I am going on holiday for 6 weeks the beginning of 2007 (visiting my sister in New Zealand. Happy Dance!!). I want to have both my freezers and my fridge totally empty before then so that I can turn them off completely. And I will need to replenish when we return. So 3 would be:

3. Eat my way through everything that is in my freezers and fridge. I have allready made an inventory of everything that is in there. Most things are easy enough to use up, but some others will require more creativity. LOL

4. Lose 2 kilo's. Preferably more, but have to be realistic.

5. Go to the gym 3 times a week. I have this expensive membership but am not very consistent in using it. NOT frugal at all, I know. (bows her head in silent shame)

6. Check out all the work that needs to ben done on our car before january 21 (when it is due for its yearly inspection) and start calling around for the cheapest places to have the work done.

7. Get DB to sit down with me and decide whether to change our car insurance, get a different arrangement for tel./internet/cable etc. Of course I will have to do all the work getting the information and making the decision in the end, but I do want DB opinion. Usually I just get 'everything is fine by me honey!' which serves me right because I am way to opinionated anyway to do anything differently. Guess it isn't a coincidence that I have all the financial responsibility in this relationship. LOL

8. At the end of the year. For our joined account. Tally up everything we spent, on what, in which month etc. for the entire year (I have kept records every month in Excell so this shouldn't be too difficult). To evaluate our finances of this year (first year that I was very conscious about our spending) and plan our finances better next year and set a goal of how much we will save in 2007.

Well there must be more but if I get all of this done I can be pleased with myself.

Now back to typing out interviews (finished one this morning already, so that is a work-yeah for me.

Wow, what a warm welcome! Thanks everyone for making me feel at home here. So I guess it is time for an update and some more information about the issues I am struggling with.
But first an update about my frugal voyage.

Saturday - Monday
Frugal Yeah!
(always start with the positive)
- got a free winter car check on saturday
- did my grocery shopping for the week and only spent € 10 (I am seriously working my way through my stockpile)
- other than groceries, three no spend days
- had lunch and dinner at a friends house on sunday and got leftovers to take home with me

Frugal OH NO!
- the car's winter check reveiled some serious problems so after already three expensive problems in the past few months, so some more bills will come.

And now about my other debt. As I said in my bio I work at two jobs. One is with a regional government as a policy maker (the job I do not like), the other is as a researcher at a university (the job I love, but struggle with). My main job is at the regional government, I have worked there for five years and it is a job that controlls me and my time. I work form deadline to deadline, and for everything there is some kind of procedure, rule or regulation. Not much creativity asked for. And after five years I know I have this trick down. No anxiety issues just frustrations.

For two days out of my workweek I am assigned to the university to do research. I have a PhD allready so I am supposed to know what I am doing as a researcher. I love this job, and it was a great opportunity for me to be asked to join their team (temporarily for four years). But here is the kicker. I don't function at all at this job. I do not seem to know how to kick my butt into gear and start researching. So I have set this deadline for myself (and with my boss) that I will have a serious draft for an article ready in january before I leave on holiday. And I have not written a word yet. Do not even have a clear picture in my mind how the article will look like. Since I started working there a year ago I have made so many 'research avoiding movements' (ram) that I am getting to be really annoyed with myself. The thing is I know that it is part of my work style. I am like a chicken, I have to sit and brood before I can write, but this brooding thing has gone to far. I have calculated how many days since september last year I have effectively not worked and I calculated 48 days! all together. I consider that a serious debt to my boss. Don't ask me what I have done with my time I couldn't say, played games, surfed the net (how do you think I found you guys), stared out of the window etc.
Since I calculated my lost days I have started to work them off using my friday off day and weekends. I have since then worked an extra 8 days, but that is still 40 days left and last week was a really low point because I started adding to my debt again.

The stupid thing is, nobody knows, everybody is pleased with the work I am doing and is not suspious about the work I am not doing (guess I am a good actor). In the past these kind of situations have always worked out in the end, because I do function best when under stress. But I do not feel good under this stress I create myself, and I feel guilty as hell (probably my catholic upbringing, can't shake that).

So that's my big secret: I am a big fake! And probably simply lazy and undisciplined.
But because I hate to feel this way, I am always looking for ways to discipline myself, hence this blog.

So what do y'all think. Still want me here?