Paper Trail - what to keep & how long

[MAYNARDSMOM]

After recently having to fill out some forms that required documentation that took me a while to find due to bad orginization on my part I am now sitting here getting all our papers in order. What type of documents should I keep & for how long? I'm thinking the obvious like bank statements/paycheck stubs but what about electric bills etc - vehicles we no longer own??????? Way to much paper here!

Thanks

 

[upnorthchick]

Hi!

Here are a couple of links, one very detailed, one "down and dirty"...


http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20000518h.asp

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/130464/how_long_should_i_keep_my_personal.html?cat=3


HTH!

 

[mabdoo]

I have an accordian folder for my receipts and another for my bills and bank statements. After I pay my bills I put them in hte appropriate month. Same with receipts. When it comes time for a new month I shred the ones in there from last year. I do have my taxes in filing cabinet and plan on keeping those forever. Same with my house paperwork for a house I haven't even lived in in over 5 years. I got rid of my car stuff about 3 months after I got rid of the car. I saved my student loan notice saying it was paid off. Hope that helps.