Organize with Rainwater LLC

01/11/2025

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to practice more self-kindness. I know this might sound cliché or a bit strange, but those who know me are aware that I often put too much pressure on myself unnecessarily.

This morning, I woke up to a beautiful snowfall, and winter is truly one of my favorite seasons—especially since I don’t see snow very often. I had a to-do list that included tasks like laundry, vacuuming, and dusting. However, remembering my promise to myself, I took a deep breath while gazing outside and decided to tackle just one or two things today, allowing myself to savor the rest of the day. I can always finish the other tasks tomorrow.

Let this serve as a gentle reminder to pause, take a breath, and carve out some time for yourself to recharge.

07/30/2024

I apologize for being late but here's the latest update: I no longer need to wear a brace! I still have to do physical therapy and have another doctor's appointment scheduled for September. I can now swim and kayak in calm waters, although white water rafting will have to wait a bit longer.

Also my car I’ve had ever since high school car was on its last legs, prompting me to purchase a gently used car. Although I'll miss my first car, the time had come to part ways. I like my new vehicle, except for the car loan payments I will have to make. Nonetheless, I view this as a temporary situation, and I am confident that I will clear the loan sooner than I expect.

06/13/2024

Hey everyone!
Just a quick update: My physical therapy is going well, and I can drive again! So, I’m available for in-person sessions once more! I still can't lift anything heavier than a glass of water with my right wrist, but I can do a lot more now compared to two weeks ago.

I have a post-op appointment next month, so hopefully, I’ll find out how much longer I need to wear this brace.

Also, I want to give a shoutout to Money Cleaning Services! They came and did a deep clean of my house recently while I was recovering, and they did a fantastic job! Check out their page!

05/24/2024

Hey y’all! So I talked about how to declutter paper and now I will talk about how to store your papers. If you read the last post, I mentioned that you should have your papers organized into three categories: currently in use, needed temporarily, and required for the long term. For the documents that are currently in use (like bills that need to be paid, letters you need to respond to, etc.), you can store them in a letter tray or a magazine holder. If you don’t have much counter space, then I recommend getting a hanging file folder (especially if you have a lot of documents for this category and you need to sub-categorize them).

For documents that you need temporarily, most of those documents can be stored digitally. For the documents that can be stored digitally, I highly recommend doing this. For the documents that you can’t store digitally, then I recommend storing them in a fireproof and waterproof box. For documents that you need to keep for the long term (marriage certificate, birth certificate, will, etc.), I also recommend storing them in a fireproof and waterproof box.

Update on my right wrist: I got the cast off and now I have to wear a removable brace. I can do some things but I still can’t do a lot of things. It will be a road to recovery, but I have my first physical therapy scheduled for next week.

05/16/2024

Hey y’all! We've chatted about getting your money matters in order, so now it's time to tackle paper chaos! Did you know you can ditch most of those papers cluttering your life? With technology on our side, many companies are cool with digital copies, and lots of stuff can be found online (like bills and bank statements). I get it, decluttering can feel like a mountain to climb, but don't sweat it! I'm here to help you!
Just as you would with your clothes, start by gathering all your papers and placing them in a pile. If you have papers related to your work from home or any sentimental documents like letters or cards, you can set those aside for another day. Focus on organizing the rest for now.
The next step is to review each document individually. Discard any expired items and make a note to renew those that are necessary. Categorize the documents into three groups: currently in use, needed temporarily, and required for the long term. If you're unsure whether you need to keep a document or not, consider searching online or reaching out to the originating office for clarification.
There are three ways to dispose paper: recycle, toss or shred. I have recycling service that comes every week so I recycle my documents but if you can’t recycle them, then toss them. For any documents that contain sensitive information, see if there are any shredding services in your area (I know UPS and Fedex offers that service). If not then, then you can get an identity theft protection stamp (I got mine on Amazon!)
That was quite a task! I managed to type all of this with just one hand. Keep an eye out for next week's post where I'll discuss document storage tips!
I have my post-op appointment scheduled for next week! I appreciate all the kind words and messages I've received. Thank you everyone!

05/10/2024

So I slipped and fell and catch myself with my right wrist earlier this week. I was in so much pain and I went to the ER and they told me it was fracture. I had surgery yesterday to put in screws and plates to fix my wrist. I am feeling much better but in pain just a tiny bit and I have to wear this cast and sling until my post op appointment.

That’s why I haven’t posted this week on my side business. I can take clients but I can only do virtual appointments for the time being but will post next week. I’m so thankful my boyfriend has been with me this entire process and his parents have been so helpful and generous by letting me stay and recover with them while my boyfriend has to work all next week.

04/04/2024

My website is back online! I've switched online services and made some updates to the site. Go check it out!

A big thank you to Macro I.T. LLC for swiftly and reliably assisting me in getting my website back online. I highly recommend this company for their IT services. Visit their website for further information! Also check out their Facebook and Instagram page!

04/02/2024

Have you had a chance to read my post from last week? If not, take a look! I'll share some helpful tips on saving money so you can have some extra at the end of the month. I aim to save enough to set aside some money for savings by the month's end and still have a surplus for the following month. Here are some useful tips for saving:

1. See what bills you can and can’t adjust: Check your bills to find opportunities to lower them. For example, you might be unable to reduce your rent or your mortgage payment, but you could adjust your auto and renter’s insurance. Look for ways to get the same coverage for less. Consider comparing Wi-Fi plans to see if you truly need high internet speed. Using an ethernet cord or a Wi-Fi extender can help improve speed and allow you to choose a more affordable plan.

2. Check your subscriptions: Review your current subscriptions. Cancel any you no longer use or want. Explore the plans offered by the ones you use. For example, some streaming services offer ad-supported and ad-free options. Opting for ads can save you money. Ads may be a minor inconvenience, but consider the savings each month!

3. Take advantage of the stores you shop frequently: This can be a great way to save some extra money on your purchases. By signing up for loyalty programs or rewards cards at the stores where you shop frequently, you can unlock special discounts, exclusive offers, and even earn cash-back on your purchases. Make sure to keep an eye out for special promotions and sales that are exclusive to members of these programs. Over time, these small savings can really add up and help you stretch your budget further. So, the next time you're shopping at your favorite store, don't forget to ask about their rewards program and start reaping the benefits!

4. Researching Products: When considering a purchase available at various stores, take the time to compare prices. I found that meat and other items are more affordable at Lidl compared to Food Lion and Kroger in my area. Why spend extra when you can get the same thing for less. Additionally, don't hesitate to explore thrift stores or shop for second-hand items such as lightly used clothes, books, and furniture. I recently bought a lovely couch for my living room on OfferUp for just $100!

03/28/2024

It's super important to keep your finances tidy and organized. Keeping it organized means better credit scores, responsible spending, saving, and yes, a little extra for those rainy-day funds. So, you've probably thought about using a finance sheet or a spreadsheet. Don’t get me wrong, it's a solid choice and I used to do this but let's be honest, it’s time consuming and tedious with inputing data, comparing and contrasting month to month and thinking of a budget. It’s hard to find time to do this, especially if you have a busy schedule like I do.

What if I told you there's a less time-consuming way? Thanks to today’s technology, there are apps out there that will do the work for you. One of them I use is called Rocket Money. I use the free version and I love this app! It lets me see my monthly spendings, upcoming bills, and when I'll be getting my next paycheck (if you are a W-2 employee like me).

Rocket Money has advertised that it can cancel subscriptions or lower some bills like Wi-Fi or insurance. I personally don’t know if it works or not, I have never tried it. I do know that for this feature you would have to pay a monthly plan with Rocket Money but you can adjust it or cancel it all together.

Setting a budget on this app can help you manage your finances, particularly if you love shopping, dining out, and socializing like I do, lol. So, download Rocket Money or any finance app. Work smarter, not harder!

03/27/2024

03/21/2024

In my recent post, I recommended filing taxes either online or through professional help.

Personally, I opt for filing online using TurboTax. TurboTax offers user-friendly options with different plans to cater to individual requirements.
Additionally, it covers federal and state taxes, and provides easy access to previous tax records when necessary.

If you prefer to have a professional handle your taxes, consider hiring Tucker Accounting Services LLC.They provide a range of services including bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax planning, business consulting, and even offer support services for military personnel.
You can find more information about them on their website at thetuckeraccouting.com and also connect with them on their page.

If you are a business owner like me and need help or advice on your business taxes and finances. I consider reaching out to Queen B Small Business Solutions, LLC. I had a positive experience consulting with Joana for my business tax needs.
Additionally, Queen B provided valuable support when filling out business forms, such as my business license. I highly recommend her services for small businesses in need of expert guidance on tax and financial matters. Visit her website at https://calendly.com/queenbeesbs and check out her page!