Hey Reader, I'm so happy that I finally got this right...

For the past few years, I kept running into the same frustrating issue. One of the buildings I work at was not withholding enough taxes throughout the year, so I always ended up owing at tax time. It felt like no matter what I changed on my tax documents (even claiming 0 dependents), April would roll around, and I would get hit with a bill I was not expecting.

But last year, I finally got it sorted out (for this year). And for the first time in a while, I actually received a refund. It felt like such a relief.

I had to manually put in a percentage of additional taxes to be taken out of the paycheck that came from that building in order to finally not have to owe money.

That experience got me thinking about how much easier tax time can feel when things are set up and organized ahead of time.

Whether you are still working on your taxes or have already filed, here are some ways to make the process smoother now and next year.
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If you have not filed yet:​
Start by gathering all of your income documents. This includes W-2s from employers, 1099 forms for any freelance or contract work, and any other income records.

Next, pull together documents for deductions and credits. This might include childcare expenses, student loan interest statements, mortgage interest forms, medical expenses, or charitable donation receipts.

If you are self-employed or have side income, make sure you have a clear record of your expenses. This can include supplies, mileage, software subscriptions, home office expenses, or anything else related to your work.

Also, have the usernames and passwords to any company that you have stocks, bonds, IRAs, or other investments with.

It also helps to have last year’s tax return on hand. This can serve as a guide and help you remember what to include.

Once everything is in one place, set aside a dedicated block of time so you are not rushing through it or missing details. I recommend 2 hours at least.
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If you have already filed:​
This is the perfect time to set up a simple system for next year.

Create a folder labeled “Taxes 2026” either on your computer or as a physical folder. As documents come in throughout the year, place them directly into that folder instead of letting them pile up.

Keep track of receipts as you go. You can use a small envelope, a folder, or even snap photos and store them in a digital folder.

If you have any kind of variable income, start tracking it monthly. A simple spreadsheet or notes app can go a long way in preventing confusion later.

Also, think back to anything that felt stressful or unclear this year. That is usually the best place to improve your system.
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For everyone:​
If you owed money this year or received a much larger refund than expected, it may be worth reviewing your tax withholdings now so you are not surprised next April.

A little bit of organization now can save you a lot of time and stress later.

If this is something you have been meaning to get under control, you are not alone. And if you want help creating simple systems that actually stick, I am always here to help.

P.S. tl;dr version: One tax folder now = way fewer headaches later!

Wishing you a little more clarity and a lot less clutter,

Wedding updates...

If you're curious about how my wedding planning is going...
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In the last update, I wrote that I was going to go dress shopping on March 14th...well, apparently, I didn't think it through entirely and didn't realize that I needed to call ahead and actually schedule a dress shopping appointment. Most of the places were booked up almost a month in advance, so my ACTUAL dress shopping appointment is going to be this Saturday, April 11th.

Let me know if you're interested in seeing some of the dresses, and I'll send some photos in the next email newsletter.

POV: You stopped organizing clutter and started removing it! ​ Fewer bins ​ Fewer baskets ​ Fewer backups ​ Fewer "just in case" items ​ And much more breathing room

Mackenzie Mitchel If you’ve ever bought a bin hoping it would “fix” the mess… you’re not alone. We’ve all tried to organize our way out of overwhelm. But peace comes from reducing — not rearranging. #declutter #declutterwithme #declutter #declutteringtips #decluttering ♬ original sound - Brixy's Party Shop ​ View This Video →

“The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.”

— Marie Kondo

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