It’s here—tax season! You can almost hear the groans from business owners across the country. For some, it’s full-blown panic mode, with a weekend (or five) blocked off to organize receipts, reconcile accounts, and just pray everything adds up. For others, it’s a time to take a breath and review what’s working in their finances—and what’s not.
Whether you’re stressed about tax prep or feeling good but ready to fine-tune things, your financial situation might be due for a little Marie Kondo-style decluttering. Let’s dig in and spark some financial joy by cleaning up your business and personal finances—and make sure you’re set for the year ahead!
Step 1: Pull Everything Out of the Closet
Marie Kondo’s first rule of tidying is to take everything out and see what you’re working with. When it comes to your finances, this means gathering all your records—bank statements, credit card reports, PayPal and Stripe logs, and accounting software dashboards.
Quick Wins:
- Go through all financial transactions from the past year—bank deposits, expenses, and invoices.
- List out subscriptions, software, recurring payments, and major purchases.
This isn’t about feeling guilty or overwhelmed. Just lay it all out there. You can’t fix what you don’t see!
Step 2: Ask, “Does This Expense Spark Joy?”
Okay, tax payments or office insurance probably won’t light up your world, but the real question here is: Did this expense serve you or your business goals? Every dollar should have a purpose. If not, it’s time to thank it for its service and send it packing.
How to Tidy Up Your Spending:
- Keep: Expenses that directly contribute to revenue, productivity, or growth.
- Let Go: Unused services, overpaid subscriptions, or impulse purchases that aren’t bringing value.
Be intentional. Trimming even small, unnecessary costs can add up to big savings over time.
Step 3: Organize Your Financial Closet
Now comes the fun part: organization. Marie Kondo believes that everything should have a place. Your finances deserve the same treatment. That means creating clear categories, streamlining processes, and setting up systems that make financial management simple.
Organizational Steps:
- Categorize Expenses: Create clear categories like marketing, operations, payroll, and tools.
- Automate Payments: Set up recurring payments for bills and automatic savings or profit transfers.
- Use Digital Tools: Platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, or Wave help you track your financial data in real time.
The goal is to stop the last-minute tax season chaos by staying organized throughout the year.
Step 4: Envision Your Financial Goals
Marie Kondo’s method isn’t just about tidying—it’s about creating space for the life you want. Once your finances are in order, reflect on the financial goals that will shape your business success this year.
Questions for Goal-Setting:
- What revenue goals do you want to hit this year?
- What personal benefits (e.g., savings, health insurance, or retirement contributions) do you want your business to support?
- How can you develop habits that keep your finances organized and joyful all year long?
A clear financial vision helps you make intentional spending and saving decisions rather than reacting to short-term stress.
Step 5: Celebrate Your Progress
Tidying up your finances is no small feat. Whether you’re naturally organized or you’ve been avoiding your books all year, it’s time to give yourself credit. Celebrate your progress! Pour yourself a coffee (or wine), take a deep breath, and enjoy that sweet feeling of being in control of your finances.
Why Tidying Your Finances Matters All Year
Tax season may feel like a one-time event, but getting your financial systems in order can spark joy all year long. Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Peace of mind knowing your records are ready for any audit or tax deadline.
- Clarity on where your money is going and what’s working in your business.
- More time to focus on growth instead of constantly scrambling to organize receipts and spreadsheets.
Imagine entering next year’s tax season with zero stress. That’s what financial organization can do for you!
Ready to Spark Financial Joy?
Whether you’re currently drowning in receipts or just need a few tweaks to your system, now is the time to tidy up. If you’re looking for more personalized guidance to streamline your finances and plan for growth, Michelle Jacobik’s Savvy Entrepreneur Financial Foundations Program is available to support you!
Let’s make this the year your finances finally spark joy!
This is a contributed blog post by Michelle Jacobik, an award-winning author, business strategist, and speaker who empowers entrepreneurs to align their vision with financial success. She is the author of the award-winning book “The Path to Profits,” which offers a proven roadmap for building a profitable and fulfilling business.
Are you interested in contributing a guest blog post? Fill out our contact form.