April 5, Six Ways To Keep It Simple in The Midst Of Tax Time Complexity

Posted on by Dave M · Leave a comment
Thought for today:
Tax season is such a stressful time for many of us.  It was especially so before we found DA.  The whole universe seemed to cry out in complexity!
There were so many things to decide when preparing our taxes – whether to take itemized deductions, interpreting tax codes,  whether to hire an accountant. The compulsion to do our tax return perfectly.
One member would not sleep for days, working around the clock on trying to put together the numbers of a complicated filing.  Until his taxes got done, he would not rest.  Ironically, he would also wait until the very last minute to file, because it was so painful to do the work.
For those of us who have  this kind of desperation and anxiety around money, the fellowship has an answer:  Simplicity.  The simple Tools of DA help sanity return:
  • We keep our DA numbers one day at a time, which leads to clarity about deductions, savings, and income.
  • If we have had regular PRG meetings, then tracking out numbers is much simpler too, because all the categories, amounts and dates over time have been tracked and discussed.  PRG meetings are like the building blocks of a successful tax preparation structure.
  • We use  the telephone to bookend with other members about difficult areas of our tax return.  Even the darkest scenario can be lifted by calling a friend in DA.
  • We attend meetings, to continue sharing about our feelings over our taxes, listening for how others identify with us, and have dealt with those feelings.
  • We remain aware of the effects of the media advertising on us, and we pray and meditate on ways to simplify our finances.  The media bombards us with messages from tax providers, as well as tempting us to spend to alleviate the anxiety.  Often it becomes obvious what we should do if we practice breathing through the emotions as part of our meditation.
  • If we have a necessarily complicated return (from owning our own business, or a life transition, for example), we get our Pressure Group’s perspective, as well as our sponsor.  We may get just the advice we need to clarify our returns, or we may decide on using a trained tax professional’s services.
The Tools of DA help us prepare for all of life, including tax day.  Eventually we can treat this like any other day.
Later, looking back, we may realize that  the thing that changed in us was that our Higher Power began to run the show instead of us. Rather than relying on our headstrong will power,  we turn the results over to HP, and everything else seems to flow more smoothly.
Am I in fearful isolation, or am I relying on my loving fellowship to help me find balance and sanity with money?
Meditation for today:
The flow of life is like a stream.  There is usually only one thing blocking the natural flow of our life-stream:  We don’t want to do something we know is necessary, and simple effort is needed to get ourselves out of the way.
It is a spiritual truth that if we resolve to do that one simple task we have avoided, whatever it is – opening the letter from a creditor, returning the unpleasant phone call to someone we own money to, whatever it is – we will find that our answers to our other problems will start to float to the surface of our consciousness.  Almost effortlessly, the “current of life” continues.
Affirmations for today:
“I will listen to the stream of life-force that is trying to work through me.”
“Today I will find areas where I can release energy that was blocking me.”
Prayer for today:
“I pray for willingness to listen to the answers I need to hear.  I pray for a calm and serene tax day.”

This 3300-word article on Debtors Anonymous originally appeared in The New York Times Magazine:


A Way Back from Deep Debt: Debtors Anonymous

About the book:

Debtors Anonymous is a 12-Step self-help program modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous that helps its members recover from past debts, negotiate with and pay off all their creditors on a humane and manageable schedule, increase income, and avoid incurring any new unsecured debt going forward.

It enables its members to get free of debt and the act of debting and stay free forever, one day at a time.

While the subject is debt, the deeper issue at Debtors Anonymous is the quality of life. Becoming free of debt and trouble with money leads to profound changes. Members regain control of their own lives, get back self-esteem, and liberate themselves from fear. Prosperity enters their lives, not just financially, but, for many, in everything from their response to a sunny day to the quality of their relationships.

This article explains with examples and quotes from members what Debtors Anonymous is, how it works, what it can do for its members, and how you can take part in it.

(Some of the links on this page will bring you to other websites.  If you decide to buy something using our Amazon links, Amazon gives us a commission.  This in no way increases your cost.  It helps us defray the costs of running this website.  Please do not use a credit card to buy.  There are many options for online purchasing besides unsecured debt!)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.