I like to set goals and track my progress. But, our financial goals for the remainder of 2009 are simple: finish funding the EF. We're on track to do this through the end of the year and use part of our tax refund to finish it off.

I've set four non-financial goals for the month of November that could or should have financial consequences.

Firstly, I have a terrible time getting to work on time. Luckily, I work in a very awesome office where no one really cares if you're late. As long as you get your work done and it's high quality, you could come at noon and no one would care. However, I am afraid that my chronic lateness makes me look lazy and will result in poor supervisor reviews and loss of promotions/raises. So, goal number one is to get to work by 8:30 every morning.

For my second goal I have instituted "Productivity Hour". My problem is that when I get home from work, I sit on the couch with the intention of just playing one computer game or watching one Tv show...and then it's midnight and I have to go to bed. I would love if I could do this guilty free but I've got two monstrous tasks hanging over my head. We moved to a new house in August and STILL aren't unpacked. It's a bit ridiculous. And I'm also writing my master's thesis...and have been for about 3 yrs. I need to get this done. The impact it will have on my earning power will be awesome. More importantly, my quality of life will be exponentially improved by having it done and gone from my mind. So, for "productivity hour", I make myself spend one hour completing task around the house or working on my thesis before I relax. Then when I do relax, I can do so guilt free. I've been doing this for about a week and so far it has worked wonders on my house, my thesis, and my stress level.

Goal #3 is to eat at home more often. We have been eating out almost every meal for MONTHS. Mostly because our kitchen hasn't been unpacked and the house is a disaster. Eating at home will be a money saver and better for our health. We've had dinner at home the past three nights. Tomorrow we break the streak with our weekly bar trivia trip, but I'm proud of us.

The final goal is to read a chapter of something non-thesis related everyday. Sometimes I get some reading in on my lunch break, otherwise it's right before bed. Right now I'm reading 3 books: The Procrastinator's Handbook, The Everything Personal Finance Book for your 20s and 30s, and The Margrets (sci-fi novel).

If these four goals go well, I may be adding some gym-going goals before the end of the month, or at least making the gym a "productivity hour" option.