Shovel-in April

It has been a while since my last update and there is a lot of things going on. The latest change in my life recently is that I got full-time permanent job and my most important goal was achieved. The priority right now is to keep this job ;)

I work from 9am to 6 pm but generally I can be at work from 8 to 5. I'm on training now so my schedule is a little bit hectic but I hope these working hours will change in the future and I'll be able to start earlier and finish earlier. 

In our team we have around 16 people and we are divided in two offices. This team is still growing because of a lot of work to do and new projects that are planned so the company is still looking for more people to join us (and a new office or more space in the same building). As I said, I'm still learning but so far I really like it. My training is very well organized, everyone is involved so I see different points of view and find out more about everyone's experience and daily tasks. This position has "assistant" in its name but it's not like Team Assistant (we already have one) or Admin Assistant, it's more related to finances, taxes, working permits and other things that are related to my financial studies. Did I say that I like it (so far)? ;)

I'm trying to find new schedule/routine/name it. It's not only about my job, it's about menu planning, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, studying, social life and so on. My and my boyfriend were planning some holidays with our friends (long 4x4 trip) but because of my new job I don't have holidays and I don't go. There is a lot of things and preparations to do before their departure and I'm supporting them the best way I can so at this moment our conversations are related to two topics: 4x4 and my new job. So most of the time in the evenings I spend learning new things for my work or working on the garage. It's really crazy time, I tell you! 

I'm very happy right now. This job is something I've been fighting for. It's not even two weeks since I started but I just can't believe I work! So it's official: Ladies and Gentelmen, I can cross out "find a job" from my goal list for 2013! :)

Guess who got the job?!

I had been looking for a job in Switzerland (you know, this kind of job you can write about in your cv) for a long time. You could read more about my ups and down here and here. My goals for 2012 were... let's face it - a total disaster and when I was thinking about goals for 2013 I wanted them to be more realistic. The deadline for finding job in Switzerland was September 2013.

The beginning of a new year was a time of agressive job hunting. I spent hours on writing and polishing my applications and I started looking for a job in different cities in Switzerland. I knew that probably I would have to move and decide on "weekend relationship" but I was getting really desperate. I sent my job application for one job opening in Geneva. I applied via one recruitment agency but I didn't get this job. Ok, part of the game, not the first time and I guess not the last one. But after few days one lady from this agency called me and asked if I was still interested in finding a job in a city closer to German boarder, not far away from a place where I live in France (around 20km). When I heard that, I was more than happy. We had short phone interview but without any details about company, salary or anything. She called me again after one week, saying that their client is interested in my cv and then I was informed that this company was one of three biggest pharma companies in the world! I applied many times there without any result and after all I was invited for an interview!

I started preparation for this interview, I did my homework practising in front of the mirror and doing all these funny things you do before interview (is it just me or everyone has that?). So concentrated, I forgot about the rest of the world and in the meantime... I received an invitation for another job interview that took place two days after the first one.

I won't bored you with the details about my excitement of having two interviews in a week but I can just say they went well. They were good enough that I received two job offers from both companies. Both of them are great. They are well-known with different locations all around the world what's good in a situation if we would decide to move somewhere. They are popular and easy recognizable and I would be very proud to have them in my cv. But there are some differences between them and I'm not talking about salary only.

First offer wasn't directly from pharma company but I would have to sign contract with recruitment agency. It's very big and reliable agency and I would have Big Pharma in my cv of course but this contract is only for six months. There is a great possibility to extend that after that time because they're hiring people all the time but there is no written guarantee for that. The salary is great, possibilities of building great network and getting experience were tempting but...

...the second company, which has its offices in 265 different locations, offered me normal, permanent contract without any third-part involved. The salary is a little bit smaller but it's still good enough (of course, it doesn't mean it couldn't be better, right? ;) and I had to decide:

Should I accept better salary within company I always dreamed about and take the risk of being unemployed again after six months or decide on security for a smaller salary?

After considering all pros and cons, discussing them with my boyfriend and thinking about my plans, dreams (and debts) I decided on the second solution with permanent contract. There are few reasons for that:
- First of all, I'm sick of job seeking. Seriously, I'm really tired and unemployment had too big impact on my life. I believe that having stable job will be good for my mental health,
- Debts and financial security. As I said, money in pharma is better but it's only for six months. Even if the chance of extending this short term contract was big it's still not enough for me to give me sense of security,
- My relationship. We would like to stay here for some more time. If I were single, probably I would decide on this first contract because then I would be able to move to any other country/city that would offer me a job. We have some plans and goals we want to achieve here together so having stable job will help me to avoid living between two places.
- Lack of time. I know how the job market looks here in Switzerland. It takes a lot of time to find a job here and to apply, send cv, meet for interviews, network and so on... When I have my daily job and studies in the evenings, I simply don't have enough time to look for a job what I would probably have to do if I decided on short term contract.

I haven't signed any papers yet, I have email confirmation only but I came back to Warsaw to arrange all papers that are needed to apply for working permit. The starting day will be set up soon but it's just a matter of time and it'll be probably the beginning of May but I just couldn't resist and I wanted to share my happiness with you guys! I wonder if you ever had to decide between two job opportunities and what were the reasons that helped you to make this final decision?

My Liebe Company, just watch out! Shovellicious is back in the game! :)

Shovel in the kitchen

I spent a lot of time in Poland recently on studying, exams, paper work for potential employee, taking care of my grandparents and all other things that made me quite busy then. The person, who is responsible for meal planning and shopping list at my home, is my mom. She doesn't have any kind of paper planning lists, she just knows her game plan. My mother works typically from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. My dad's working schedule it's simply unpredictable. Ok, there is some schedule that they have at work every month but it can be one day from 9am to 7pm, from 3pm to 9pm, from 10am to 9pm, sometimes he has two days off in the middle of the week, he works in the weekends very often but then he has his Monday off and so on. There is no rule in making schedule like this, only the amount of working hours is important, they can't exceed it. So, as you can see, meal planning can be quite tricky. My mom doesn't cook every day. She does it two or three times in the week. When she's back from work she eats what was prepared earlier. My dad eats at home when he's early enough but mostly he takes his lunch box to work with what my mother cooked. My dad's working system gives her some flexibility, she just wants to be sure there is always something we can eat at home when she's at work or he can take it as his lunch box.

I came back to France this week and me and my boyfriend are trying to find our routine again. We live in a small village so when the fridge is empty, we don't have any shop nearby to find missing product. We try to shop once a week. We don't write down things we need to cook dinners during the whole week. We're typical example of people who do their meal planning while shopping. And I want to change that. We don't have problems with putting too much groceries into the troley, no, it's not about that. It's about time and comfort. I feel like we spend just too much time there wondering: "ok, friends invited us for dinner on Friday evening so we don't eat at home but we'll take a bottle of wine with us. Ok, so let's go there to grab one. But wait, on Thursdays guys are coming, we'll be working in the garage so maybe something fast for dinner like pizza? Ok, let's take it." And when we're back at home I think about next week when I won't try out this new recipe I wanted because I didn't add list of ingredients to our shopping list. Why? Because our shopping list had nothing in common with meal planning. And I want to change that. With this strong will to improve our planning skills, inspired with blogs about time management and organizing, knowing it's the first step to save money because personal finance bloggers write so, I sat down with a piece of paper, pen in my hand and list in my head of things we like to eat and things we want to try out. So easy! Why haven't I done that earlier?! I wrote down days and then... I stuck. We go shopping on Fridays. I want to cook something super-extra-you_can't_even_imagine on Thursday but then I realise we don't have fresh products that are required because it's almost one week when we did groceries and I can't use frozen stuff to this super_extra_you_can't_even_imagine dish. Ok, so I'll cook it on Saturday. No, I can't, we meet with friends. Monday! Yes, Monday looks great... not any more, I have my on-line classes in the evening, it means I need something quick on Monday and Wednesday. But on Mondays and Thursdays boys have their garage-meeting so I'll be cooking for more than two. Next question: should I plan breakfasts too? Or what if we cook something and leftovers can't be eaten next day for lunch because it will taste like a crap? Should I plan to cook something extra? I could go on with this conversation with myself but then I realise I spent 20 minutes on that already and I'm with nothing except list of days and dishes that are crossed out. I thought that maybe I should check my Google Reader and get rid of all these blogs which washed my brain telling me that meal planning takes few minutes. Seriously? Maybe it takes few minutes but not at the beginning. After big cup of tea, internet searching, with cook books on the table and more time on brain storming, I made it. My very first written meal plan. Let's say it's "basic version". This meal plan contains only dinners. Of course, I'll write down on our shopping list things for breakfasts or some snacks but right now it's really basic. It's dinner plan based on our evening schedule, considering my afternoon classes, my boyfriend's activities, eating out, hostessing guests at home. I planned when I have time to try out a new recepie, when I don't have any time and it's just pizza from the oven, etc. My first rule of my new meal plan is that it has to be doable. I can't stick to it if I planned something I don't have time to cook, right? It's a new experiment for me. For us. If it'll work out I want to add more to this planning like breakfasts, snacks to take to work, lunch box, brunches on the weekends. To make it even more sweet, I will use eye-candy printables from Pinterest. And to stay accountable like in finances, I want to share it with you, it'll motivate me to stick to it. I don't write too often here so I don't want make posts only with my meal plan but I'll share it on Facebook and I'll post some pictures there too. So wish me luck! I have never thought that meal planning can be so challenging! ;)

How much time do you spend on meal planning? Do you stick to it? Do you make shopping lists? Any suggestions more than appreciated!

To read or not to read?

Before I even thought about having my own place to write ("blog" sounds serious, doesn't it?), I had been reading different blogs for a while. It was quite long "while". Some of them are about finances, finances and finances, some are more life-style with personal finances, when the others have "finances" only in their title. And you know what? I enjoy every one of them. When it was about mutual funds, ROTH, IRA and all that staff I can't relate to because of where I live and where I want to retire, I used to read about that. To find out something, to learn something new, to have general knowledge about how things work in the other parts of the world and be able to compare with regulations, accounts, systems in Europe. That was interesting experience.

I was reading a lot. I was and I still consider myself as a reader, I don't feel like a blogger. There were things I wanted to share about blogging but I always thought "ok, maybe things will change or maybe I'm just looking for something I haven't found yet." But in last few weeks I read quite interesting posts about blogging. About being a blogger and being a reader too. And today I write as a reader.

Guys, when I read your blog and I like it, you can be sure I have it in my Google Reader. And I follow you on Twitter and on Facebook if you have your profile there. I'm really pedantic and I like to keep things in order. Call me crazy but I like complements. When I have a full set of cups and one is broken I'm unhappy because I don't like when something is incomplete. The same thing is with blogs I follow. And I really like social media. But there is something I don't like about Twitter: when I see your profile and during last 24 hours you posted 12 tweets and every single one was with a link to your blog. And you did the same yesterday. And two days ago too. Oh no, sorry, you retweeted somebody's link. Good for you. But seriously, you have so many followers, people who are interested in what you want to say, don't you think it could be nice to hear their voice from time to time?

Google Reader. Yes, I use it and I like it. It's fast, I have everything in one place and I can read your post on any device I want. I read a lot and I don't remember all addresses, I don't type them manually. So I really appreciate it when I can read your FULL post via RSS. I can open my Google Reader at work. But I can't do that with some links. So if I can't read it now, I won't be back later to read it at home. Not because I don't want to. I just don't remember to do that. Come on, sometimes I even don't remember to bookmark it! If you don't know how to do that, please visit Nuts and Bolts Media. Andrea is amazing and after her tutorial you'll feel like a professional programmer. Mochi & Macarons wrote about reading full rss feeds in Google Reader but seriously, I won't instal anything. I'm just too lazy/busy/whatever to do that. If I can't read your full posts, I have two things on my mind: you didn't know how to do that (then visit Nuts and Bolts) or you simply don't want to do that believing that I'll click on that link to check it. I'll tell you something-I won't. Because then I feel that I'm not important to you, the only thing you care about are statistics. I feel especially like that when I could read your full posts two weeks ago and I can't do that anymore because you changed your settings. I understand that people earn money this way. I understand that my "click" counts and it can help a little. But I do that only when I see your full posts. Mochi & Macarons wrote why she doesn't read 95% of blogs. She wrote about quality and originality. Just think about it: you wrote really cool post but because you have limited rss a group of people will just hit "mark as read" button not bothering what you wanted to share. 

Posts. You wrote a nice post and to give more feedback you added some links. I check them. I'm begging you, can they open in a new window? It's more comfortable and there is nothing better than happy reader enjoying your site.

After posts there are comments. I understand you're busy and sometimes it's just impossible to reply to every comment. I understand that. Really. Jen from Master the Art of Saving wrote a nice post about it. And I really appreciate her honesty. But if you hire somebody to reply to your comments, please, be so kind and let me know. You wrote a post, you asked questions, you encouraged me to discuss. So I would like to know if this conversation is still between us or maybe I talk with somebody else who has completly another opinion but shares yours just because he's paid to do that. Finance Fox wrote that nobody likes to be ignored. And I agree with him. He's not the only one, Lena from "On My side of the World" talks about it too. I don't expect you'll reply to every comment I write. I respect your time, my time, so I don't leave "great post" comments. But I leave "congratulations" comments because I want to tell you I'm happy for you. You paid your debts? Great! You found a new job? You rock! And I don't expect you'll reply to them, I don't wait for that. But when I spent half an hour to write a long, valuable comment, doing some research to be sure I don't share any crap, seriously... it could be nice to hear you back. Especially, when I see you replying to other bloggers you know. Or when you have your Etsy shop or whatever and shipment is only in US, it doesn't mean I'm not interested in products you offer. I just feel like what I want to tell you is not interesting for you because you know you won't earn money on me.

I know that some of my expectations are against the rules of earning money online. I don't see anything bad in having extra income from blogging but please, rememer, you won't be able to earn this money if people don't read your blog. So make them happy readers. Make me happy reader. And I promise, I'll be your biggest fan. 

Puzzles

Photo credit: Private

I don't remeber exactly when but I received a present from my boyfriend. It was a box of 3000 puzzles. But they were really special because it was picture of Canale Grande in Venice, Italy, where we spent great holiday together and had fantastic time. Not forgetting the fact that we like doing puzzles. I found this text on the box and I want to share it with you:

"Doing a puzzle is a bit like doing yoga exercises...a very welcome relaxation from your daily routine. It is a labour of love, challenge and light relief all in one. Doing puzzles is exciting, with invigorating emotional ups and downs. Piece for piece, as you search, find and search again, your feeling of achievement grows. One person can work on a puzzle--or a whole group." It's really nice, don't you think?

Before we opened the box, we checked the size because we weren't sure if our dining table was enough to make them. Table was big enough when we considered the whole size but was to small to work on them comfortably. So we went to the shop to buy big piece of plywood to put it on the table and get more space in the same way. The color of it was grey so when you had a lot of dark puzzles you couldn't find needed piece, eyes were getting tired easily so to make it easier we put white paper on that. Then we went through 3000 pieces grouping them according to their shape (to make a frame) and colors: there was a pile of blue pieces for sky, the second one for water, another for buildings, etc. Preparations had taken quite a lot of time before we started but it was so much easier after all.

At the beginning, I was excited and couldn't wait to start and see the result. After hours of preparations and first matches I was little overwhelmed. After few more days of not seeing the progress I expected, I was discouraged and started thinking about putting everything in the box again and just forget about it. But slowly and steady, piece by piece, we were seeing more and more progress. Motivation and excitement came back again. Every day there were less puzzles to make, we knew we were almost done. And one day we were. Really happy and satisfied with what we saw. Beautiful picture with all the details of the place where we were together.

I was making pictures while doing puzzles. I thought that it could be great to see the work in progress. I think it was something around three years ago and I found these photos lately. At that time when we were making puzzles I didn't think much about finances. Ok, I was thinking about getting job, plans, dreams and so on but finances weren't such a big problem then. Now they are. And when I looked at these pictures I thought that doing puzzles is like taking control of your personal life and finances. Financial problems are like this box of puzzles. You know they are there, you even know how they look like because you have a picture of them. Then you make a decision to start working on them, to change something for better, you are excited and you open that box and confront with the problem. You prepare everything to start, to take control. You divide them into different groups: consumer debt, mortgage, retirement, holidays, just name it. And slowly but steady you work on them, with your ups and downs. Sometimes you don't have time to sit down and do puzzles, you don't have money to pay of your debt but with baby-steps you're closer to your goal, to see the whole picture. Sometimes you're impatient, frustrated, make mistakes and you're just tired but sometimes you're happy, satisfied and excited. Because you have things under control.

When I was making pictures of puzzles, I didn't think that one day I was going to write about it and put them on my blog. Wow, I even didn't think I was going to start a blog! So the quality it's not the best one  so I'm sorry for that. But if you would like to see the whole proces, feel free to visit "Puzzle" album on Facebook. There have been already some photos from Venice-puzzles but in the future I'll post some more from another sets. It's not only because I like doing puzzles but I would like to encourage you to this frugal hobby and show that it's not only for kids.

So, do you remember the last time when you did puzzles? :)

Where is Poland?

On www.goodreads.com I found some funny quotes about job hunting that can relate to one situation that I had in last weeks and I want to tell you about. John Kennedy Toole said “Apparently I lack some particular perversion which today's employer is seeking". Ok, maybe too general but I liked it and thought it was quite funny after all :)
But before I'll start my rant, I should write a little more about job hunting in Switzerland. Job searching sucks in Switzerland. And it's so extended in time like streched rubber in pants.

To make it short, here are some basics:

- they protect their labour market and I think it's absolutely understandable,
- when they receive applications for particular job opening, they have to consider Swiss citizens first,
- when they can't find anyone with Swiss passport who meets their expectations or simply who doesn't accept their offer, they can start looking for somebody from EU-17 (France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and/or from EU-8 (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary). Until May 2011 it looked this way: Swiss citizens first, then EU-17 and then EU-8 could be considered. Last year it was changed and it looks this way: Swiss citizens first, then EU-17 AND EU-8 can be considered in the same way. You got the point?
- when you finally get the job, you're given working permit.

There are different types of working permits:

a)Type L EU/EFTA short-term residence permit:
People holding a contract of employment of less than twelve months duration are issued a type L EC/EFTA permit. The permit is valid until the contract expires.
b)Type B EU/EFTA residence permit:
This permit is issued to people holding a contract of employment of twelve months or unlimited duration and people who prove they are genuinely self-employed. The Federal Council decided on 18 April 2012 to invoke the safeguard clause provided for in the Agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the free movement of persons, applying it to the EU-8 Member States. From 1 May 2012, category B residence permits granted to citizens of these countries will be subject to quotas.
c)Type G EU/EFTA cross-border commuter permit:
Employed or self-employed persons domiciled in an EU or EFTA state and working in Switzerland (place of work or company headquarters) may apply for a cross-border commuter permit. They need to return to their domicile abroad at least once a week. This is what refers to my situation because I have "domicile address" in France.
d)Type C EU/EFTA settlement permit*

Everyone who looks for a job in that country knows about that. He/she knows about working/residence permits, all these regulations and even when he/she doesn't know the details, HR department always makes sure that you're informed about that and take care of that paper work for you (because you don't apply for working permit when you don't have your contract signed). Even when he/she doesn't know the details, sooner or later he/she will know that because it's the part of that game. So when you know that everyone knows that, you are absolutely sure that HR knows that too or even better than you (anyway, this is how it is supposed to be, right?). What is more, place of born, nationality, passport and ID I have are clearly stated in my cv. It's just impossible not so see that, when you apply in this country it's so natural that you put these details in your application like your first and last name. Phew, that was loooong introduction, so now to the point...


There is one company, let's call it !@#$, and I visit their site on a regular basis. Something interesting appears from time to time and then I apply. Sometimes it's written that they need somebody with Swiss German as a mother tongue so then, of course, I don't apply. Sometimes it's written they need somebody with Swiss passport (you can be expat but you have Swiss wife/husband or spend enough time there to get this passport but Swiss German is not needed) so then, of course, I don't apply.. Sometimes it's written they need somebody with Swiss passport and/or from EU-17/EU-8 so then, of course I APPLY. I don't apply for every single position that is posted, only for those when I feel and I know I can meet their expectations. It means I don't apply for aircraft engineer position when the only thing I know about plain construction is how to use table in front of me and adjust my chair to more comfortable position. I don't waste my time and I respect their time. And from time to time I apply. I sent around 10 applications during 2012 so it's quite possible they remember me. And this is what I received (my own comments in italics):



"Dear Shovellicious (name changed)


We would like to thank you for your application (that last one) and your interest (probably they were tired of my job-stalking and spaming their inbox with my applications all year) in the vacant position ''Business Unit Assistant'' as well as in working with !@#$ (Company's name changed).

We have studied your curriculum vitae thoroughly (seriously?! if it was so "thoroughly" as you said, you would probably noticed I'm from Poland) and regret to inform you that your application will not be processed any further. Due to Swiss law and regulations we cannot pursue applications from citizens from countries outside the European Union 8 (I know that law but I'm inside EU8, so what's the point?). Only exception is when the job profile is so distinct that we can prove that no other applicants would have suited our needs. In this case we received suitable applications from Switzerland or the EU 8 countries (I bet you're talking about MY application, honey, because, guess what... I'm from EU8). Therefore, be assured that this rejection in no way ref lects the quality of your application (you know what? I believe you. From my experience in job searching I know that when you find somebody who is better, you write it simply and clearly without all that funny personal things).

Should you however hold a passport form a country in the European Union 8 countries please let us know and I will have another look into your application (Will you? Or maybe you'll be just too ashamed to do that because you'd admit in this way you made a mistake).

Thank you very much for your confidence in our company (Confidence? Sweetheart, it made me think who's working there?!).

I wish you a lot of success in your private and professional future (Thank you, I'll defenitely need it when I have to deal with such HR departments like yours).

With kind regards,
!@#$
Human Resources"


I had to cool down myself, so I replied the next day:

"Dear Human Resources Department,

First of all, I would like to thank you for your consideration and provided feedback.

I visit !@#$ site on a regular basis, being interested in latest news about Company and job opportunities. Before I decided to apply for the first time, I had contacted Federal Office for Migration to get familiar with the agreement with the European Union on the free movement of persons, working permits and law regulations that refer to EU-8. I was born in Warsaw, Poland and nationality I have is Polish. Knowing that Poland is a part of EU-8, every time when I found interesting job opening within your Company, I checked "short facts" and "contact" details to be sure if it is clearly stated that those possessing a passport from EU-17/EU-8 can be considered. When I knew that I can be considered and being encouraged by previous and current employees, I decided to apply. I have both Polish ID card and Polish passport and I can provide copies if needed. I am aware of the fact that from 1 May 2012 category B residence permits are subjected to quotas for EU-8 but as a cross-border commuter (I live in France) I hoped it was not something that refered to my situation.

I am not sure if my application can be considered again but I would be very grateful if it was. I really appreciate your time and I would like to ask if in this situation I can apply for other job oppening that might appear in the future? !@#$ is well-known Company and I am sure there is a lot of interest in it. I respect your time and if due to Swiss law and regulations I cannot be considered in the future, I would appreciate that feedback.

Thank you in advance,

Shovellicious (name changed)."


I'm laughing at it but seriously... It made me think: how many of my applications had never been considered because somebody from HR didn't know that Poland is in EU8? Not only by this particular company but... generaly? I really don't expect this kind of knowledge from everyone but when I apply I try to be professional and this is what I what I would like to receive in return, especially from HR which should know even more than me about that. I can understand somebody could have a bad day, headache, problems, wasn't concentrated and just made this kind of mistake. But I receive a lot of refusal each day and I know how they look, how they sound, how they're written. And after this e-mail I have this feeling that somebody didn't have a bad day. He or she simply thinks Poland is not in European Union.


* information taken from bfm.admin.ch

Goals for 2013

Ok, probably it's not the post I like. I took a look at all my goals from last year and I know things are far away from what I would expect. Only two things from my list were completed: I opened retirement account and I started studying again. I won't go through excuses why things went the way they did but the only thing I have is a hope that it'll be better this year. 

What I would like to achieve this year? I thing I can "copy and paste" this list from last year.

First of all I would like to find a job in Switzerland or in any other area where I live with my boyfriend. I think I should make a deadline to that, it's just impossible to live this way, waiting for invitations for interviews, not being able to predict my irregular income from side husstles that don't give me experience I can write about in my cv. I don't know when is that moment when you should try harder or give up and start looking for another solution. When I made a dead line last time a lot of was going on with my job hunting, signing contract and finally, canceling it due to employment cuts in the company and all that stuff. Instead of giving up, I felt motivated because I got the feeling that I can find a job, it's possible but just need some time. But a few months later, I'm still unemployed. I need to figure out this dead line again. And stick to it. If I'll make up my mind about that, I'll let you know.

Anyway, I hope I'll be working soon so then I would like to start paying off debts and building a little emergency fund in the same time.

I would like to keep my monthly transfers towards my retirement account. They are quite small but I'm really happy that I started and I would like to give myself a little rise when I will be on more regular income.

My dream from last year was to open a saving account for mortgage down payment but seriously... even when I would LOVE to open it I try to remember that goals should be SMART and this realistic part of it says... Shovellicious, maybe later, try to concentrate on finding job and attacking your debts.

Blog... Oh, blog... Yes... I would be happy if I was able to concentrate enough to put at least one post in a week. Not in a month. I hope I'll be able to do that.

The same thing with running. Still need some improvement. Right now-total disaster. And the same with driving licences. And via-ferratas in Switzerland. And e-learning courses.

Have you heard about $500 Holiday Challenge with Cents to Save? It didn't work out in 2012 the way or rather: it didn't work out the way I planned but it was helpful anyway so this is something I want to try again this year. The only difference: with more hope to see a better result before Christmas in 2013.


So, to sum up: right now I concentrate on job hunting and my studies, continuing to my retirement account small sums of money every month, sharing more on blog here and trying to kick my ass for running again.

Then, after finding job, I'll attack my debts more and I'll build "baby emergency fund" for 1000chf. And (car) driving licence. Motorbike one can be later, it's not so urgent, just a kind of hobby.

Wish me luck, guys! I hope this year will be much better for all of us!