When Taxes Stop Being Scary

Hello All,

Yesterday, Chelene, one of my longtime clients and a member of the Ask Ronika community, posted something in our “Share Your Wins” space that really resonated with me.

“When you’re in the thick of it, finances can feel so overwhelming that it’s easier to avoid them altogether. I’ve definitely been there. But over the past few years, I’ve built real confidence around my money. My income has grown, my processes are cleaner, and the biggest shift has been setting aside more than I think I’ll need for taxes. So when that big payment comes, it doesn’t hit the same way … it’s not scary anymore.”

Because here’s the thing: the goal isn’t only to file your taxes. It’s to get to the point where not only do you stop feeling anxious about taxes but you actually feel confident that you’re doing everything right.

It’s rarely just about the numbers

What I’ve noticed over the years is that the clients who get to that “not scary anymore” place usually have a few things in common.

They have done the work to shift their unhelpful beliefs about money (although, in fairness, this is a lifelong process). They have at least a broad understanding of where their money is coming from and where it is going. And they’ve gotten honest about what they’re holding onto out of habit versus what’s actually serving them.

Chelene described reviewing her paid tools and subscriptions more actively, which has helped her save hundreds a month. It’s a simple strategy, but it takes intention, a process, and habit strengthening.

The one habit that everyone can adopt

The one piece of advice that I give to all self-employed and business owners is to set aside more than you think you’ll need for taxes throughout the year.

This requires a simple mindset adjustment where you see a specific portion of your income as a debt (which it is) that needs to be immediately earmarked for taxes. The approximate calculation of this amount is relatively simple, and I’m a big fan of overestimating it so that when your actual tax bill is less than what you have saved, it feels good (and you can use that extra money to treat yourself 😀 )

Build something you’ll actually show up to

Chelene also talked about building a monthly “Money Love” workflow (which I love). This involves a repeatable routine for reconciling, reviewing expenses, and checking in on her finances. She built it in a tool she already loved (Trello) and named it in a way that made her want to open it.

The big takeaway here is that the best financial system isn’t the most sophisticated one. It’s the one you’ll actually use.

If you’re still in the earlier stage

Chelene ended her post with this: “I’m sharing in case someone else is in that earlier stage and needs a reminder that this part can get easier.”

So, if this tax season felt overwhelming, or looking at your books makes you feel anxious, the good news is that it can get easier. And, for some of us, even pleasurable. But it takes time, some honest reflection, and often a little help.

I’d love to hear what tax season feels like for you and what’s helped you manage your anxiety. Simply reply to this newsletter.

Ronika

P.S. If you're interested to know what happens after you file your taxes, check out my latest blog post.