|
|
Post by mama2three on Aug 10, 2014 21:30:35 GMT
We are drowning in paper. It seems even though we get many statements electronically, we still get paper copies. How long do I have to keep this stuff?
I just finished sorting through a whole lot of papers and now have 6" stacks of bank statements, medical and dental EOBs, 401K statements (unfortunately, these come about monthly), utility bill stubs, etc. I'm running out of filing space and wish I could pitch it all. How long do I need to keep this stuff? Does anyone know?
On the plus side, when we emptied the attic, I found a file box of old tax returns that I can definitely shred - they dated back to 1986 or so! Also found a box of bank statements I'll shred because they go back to the mid 1990s. I need to find a bulk shred place. There's no way I can do that all one piece at a time! I so want this stuff gone. Think I can make a bonfire in the backyard and just get rid of it? It's so hard these days to get things like this out of the house. We've already killed 3 shredders and don't want to spend money on another one. |
|
|
|
Post by mirabelleswalker on Aug 10, 2014 22:00:04 GMT
Here are some good guidelines-- link. We keep tax returns for ever, supporting documentation for 7 years, and most other things I try to get rid of. If I can get it online it's gone. Big box office stores usually have shredding by the pound. I'd look into that. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 18:26:03 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2014 22:08:19 GMT
I keep my bank statement, utilities and that sort for one year. I have 12 folders with month names on them. Each month as I pay bills I file them in that month's folder and remove the ones from the previous year.
My medical stuff I do keep longer (2 years)
You can google for shredding services in your area. Some places like Office Depot or Staples offer a shredding service. They charge by the pound but there are also document management companies that do the same.
eta: I wouldn't do a fire. Not everything burns completely away. You may inadvertently leave behind personal information in the ashes.
|
|
|
|
Post by myshelly on Aug 10, 2014 22:13:07 GMT
I would sign up to not even have most of that stuff delivered anymore.
We don't get bank statements , utility statements, 401k statements. All of that is available online if I ever need it.
I would shred all of those and then go paperless so I don't get anymore.
|
|
|
|
Post by txdancermom on Aug 10, 2014 22:18:25 GMT
Items that back up tax returns etc you should keep for 7 years.
|
|
Pamelou
Full Member
Posts: 237
Jun 30, 2014 22:25:19 GMT
|
Post by Pamelou on Aug 10, 2014 23:16:44 GMT
Oh just throw it all away!
|
|
tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899 
|
Post by tracylynn on Aug 11, 2014 2:01:52 GMT
I keep tax returns and the few pieces of supporting docs forever, they don't take that much room.
I don't keep any monthly statements at all. I'll keep EOBs for a year or so but then pitch those as well. Just not worth keeping.
|
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Aug 11, 2014 2:10:05 GMT
I have one large folding lid clear tub I keep in the crawl space. I keep old bank statements, bills, taxes, and medical paperwork for 7 years. Each year goes in one or two large manilla envelopes. When the current year (past December) goes in, the oldest envelope gets shredded. I keep file folders of important receipts in the small file cabinet upstairs. That way I never get rid of too much and don't keep too much. I figure if it can fit in one tub I am good.
|
|
