We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Bills, file'em or chuck'em?

Options
Poll started 3 July 2006: Like clockwork your bank statement and credit card bills plop onto the doormat each month. But what do you do with them? Which of these is nearest to what you do?

a. Open immediately, check it's correct, then file in date order/shred
b. Open a few days later, scan, then add to the pile in the spare room
c. Sometimes open them and then chuck'em in a bag with others
d. Bin them

Vote here or click reply to discuss :)
Could you do with a Money Makeover?


Follow MSE on other Social Media:
MSE Facebook, MSE Twitter, MSE Deals Twitter, Instagram
Join the MSE Forum
Get the Free MoneySavingExpert Money Tips E-mail
Report inappropriate posts: click the report button
Point out a rate/product change
Flag a news story: news@moneysavingexpert.com
«1

Comments

  • MrT_5
    MrT_5 Posts: 397 Forumite
    I don't have credit card bills but bank statements can go into the drawer unopened sometimes. I could be getting ripped off for all I know and I bet there are thousands like me.
    Don't buy the Sun.
  • aurora_borealis_2
    aurora_borealis_2 Posts: 13,477 Forumite
    b.

    half of my trouble is because I'm so disorganised. My study is a disaster area :rolleyes:
    de do-do-do, de dar-dar-dar ;)
  • tranmererovers
    tranmererovers Posts: 2,313 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My oh keeps telling me that I only need to keep them for 6 years not 16 :eek: :eek: :eek:
    It's easier to get forgiveness than to ask permission ;)
  • bridiej
    bridiej Posts: 5,775 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I keep mine to refer back to when you get the next bill, just to make sure all is in order.

    Bank statements I keep anyway for my business accounts, but I do always look at them to make sure nothing is amiss. I've had a couple of occasions where DDs have been taken that shouldnt and got the money back. ;)

    I just pop in now and then.... :)
    transcribing
  • stebiz
    stebiz Posts: 6,592 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Must admit that up until this year I threw them out. As from this year they are all scanned (most things actually even complaints letters, doctors appointments, invoices, wage slips etc) and filed on my pc and backed up elsewhere. Sad I know but I am slowly getting rid of all the clutter around the house.

    Regards
    Stebiz
    Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies
  • $17mma
    $17mma Posts: 2,623 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I keep everything for 6 yrs even accounts that are closed, should any queries crop up I have everything to hand.Better to be safe than sorry
    MFWB
    Mortgage when started: £232,000
    Current mortgage Sept 2024: £232,000
    Mortgage free day: Sept 2029

    Saving: £12k 2025
  • iwanttosave_2
    iwanttosave_2 Posts: 34,292 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I keep all mine, in an alphabitsed (SP) file :j Of which I am proud of :o

    I am really paraniod of forgetting to pat something so I make sure everything is not only in alphabetical order, but that they are all set so they run in order. And once they have been paid they get a big red X in the right hand corner and a date under it.
    Work like you don't need money,
    Love like you've never been hurt,
    And dance like no one's watching
    Save the cheerleader, save the world!
  • Ryan.Maloney
    Ryan.Maloney Posts: 218 Forumite
    stebiz wrote:
    Must admit that up until this year I threw them out. As from this year they are all scanned (most things actually even complaints letters, doctors appointments, invoices, wage slips etc) and filed on my pc and backed up elsewhere. Sad I know but I am slowly getting rid of all the clutter around the house.

    Regards
    Stebiz

    I've just started going that this week

    I hate clutter

    I have a MacBook Pro with an HP scanner (wireless link)

    I scan the bills to PDF, color, resolution of 200dpi

    (also - very important to back up to an external hard drive)
  • queensway_boy
    queensway_boy Posts: 5,990 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Practice some paper plane making-click :D
  • Poll Title: Poll started 3 July 2006: Like clockwork your bank statement and credit card bills plop onto the doormat each month. But what do you do with them? Which of these is nearest to what you do?

    a. Open immediately, check it's correct, then file in date order/shred
    63.5% (1599 Votes)
    b. Open a few days later, scan, then add to the pile in the spare room
    25.6% (645 Votes)
    c. Sometimes open them and then chuck'em in a bag with others
    8.2% (208 Votes)
    d. Bin them
    2.5% (63 Votes)

    Total Votes: 2515
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.