Drowning in paperwork

gin

I keep everything for 6 years. In Dec (or more likely for me, January), all the stuff from the year before last (ie will be 2008 stuff this time) goes in a folder with the year on it and is stored for 6 years. The 2009 stuff I will keep out as I may need it until the year after.

gemmaj

Another who scans everything I can. Then I can keep it for years (or forever!) and it will never get in the way, or become a fire hazard!

Dobie

How much paperwork do I keep? TOO MUCH! That's how much.
The bottom drawer of my desk has a suspended file system & I only have a clear out when I literally can't fit in another sheet of paper.
It's bad, very bad. I think I need help.

Stneotsman

Dobie wrote: »

How much paperwork do I keep? TOO MUCH! That's how much.
The bottom drawer of my desk has a suspended file system & I only have a clear out when I literally can't fit in another sheet of paper.
It's bad, very bad. I think I need help.

LOL that is really bad but very funny.....:rotfl:

Olliebeak

I'm another who keeps way too much past paperwork.

It's nearly 20 years since I separated from my ex-hub and, partly due to the very haphazard way he was about money, I've kept all financial records since then.

Wage slips, CSA records (the kids initially stayed with him and I had to pay HIM out of my wages), tax records, bank statements - I think some of this is in case I encounter any problems when I come to retire and may need to prove dates/earnings etc.

We had lived on benefits for so many years, that I became obsessional about 'earning/paying my own way' in absolutely everything I did.

I have recently 'culled' my council tax bills/payment records upto 2005 but am still hanging onto my old rent books/statements. I've also 'culled' my water/gas/electric bills - have kept two years for comparison reasons - and now have on-line billing paid by Direct Debit.

twiglet98

Wow, I have paperless banking so don't keep much of that stuff other than letters, but I have ALL the paperwork, receipts etc for every expense on every car since 1995... every payslip, tax letter and P60 I've ever had, since 1972... but the worst is torn-out bits of useful info from the weekend papers - dating back to the early 80s. All that useful info is probably here on MSE, if only I had the time to look for it!

Stephen_Leak

Another vote for 6 years, plus the current year. I have my annual "cull" over Christmas and New Year - well, it's not as if there is ever anything good on the telly!

Meadows

Bank statements - 1 year
Pay slips - 2 years ish
P60's - Years
Receipts - For guarantee period

Keep basic paper work till I think I no longer need, then do a mass shredding.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Meadows wrote: »

Bank statements - 1 year
Pay slips - 2 years ish
P60's - Years
Receipts - For guarantee period

Keep basic paper work till I think I no longer need, then do a mass shredding.

I'm the same except for receipts.
I keep these as long as I have the item as if it's lost or damaged and you claim on your insurance they usually want to see the receipt before they pay out.

Meadows

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

I'm the same except for receipts.
I keep these as long as I have the item as if it's lost or damaged and you claim on your insurance they usually want to see the receipt before they pay out.

Yes, big things I keep along with instructions and throw out when I no longer have the item, small items I tend to get rid off (well when I come across a pile of paper work from the 'ark').

Insurance claims, only ever had to do that once for a piece of porcelain I damaged, I did not have to show any proof of purchase, but you are right for larger items they would probably need to see proof.