how long do you keep documents for?

nodwah

Still trying to declutter and I'm drowning in a sea of paper: I've a folder for bank statements etc which is bursting open. DH wouldn't EVER throw any away but I've shredded all but the last 3 years. He also keeps everything to do with every car he's ever owned- i mean everything, recipts for new tyres, mot s tax discs. I try to keep the current things in a plastic pocket but he still gets in a state when it's time to renew anything like insurance coz he can't find the old ones. He also has every pay slip he's ever had!

So what do you keep and for how long?

dlb

Dh used to be the same, but i now only keep bank stuff for the last year as can get further back than that online.
All other stuff for 12 months, as for car stuff only keep current docs, apart from mot which i keep them all. I have a seperate folder with current stuff in and another for old.
I do the same for all bills, one folder which has the most recent statments in, then as the new ones come in replace and move the old to another folder.
This sounds complicated but it means most recent stuff alays at hand.
Get shredding !!LOL

finallydebtfree!!

your OH sounds like me!

I have every payslip Ive ever had, and also everything for my current car (although up until last year it was for all the cars Ive had mind you thats was only 2)

I sorted through my bank statements last year and have keep the last 5 years worth, I did put the last 5 years in a different folder and now just have this current tax years in one folder

shelovestobuystuff

Anything to do with finances keep for 6 years.I play safe and keep everything forever.The boxes of paperwork help to insulate the attics.

Penelope_Penguin

I keep anything to do with tax for 6 years, other documents (insurance, etc), I dispose of the old one when the new one arrives.

Lots more hints here - Important documents.

HTH, Penny. x

sandy2_2

shelovestobuystuff wrote: »

Anything to do with finances keep for 6 years.I play safe and keep everything forever.The boxes of paperwork help to insulate the attics.

Fire risk?:D

I´ve started to scan documents I want to keep and then transfer them onto one of those little memory sticks, takes up a lot less room

nodwah

cor that's quick replies!
We actually have a 2 drawer filing cabinet and my top drawer is lovely and sorted but his is the bottom one and won't shut!
The funny thing is he keeps telling me how messy I am!
I would like to move things into the loft maybe in metal boxes if they're important - but we've got to clear the loft first!!

Shelovestobuystuff I like your Crannog is that near Killin?

shelovestobuystuff

sandy2 wrote: »

Fire risk?:D

I´ve started to scan documents I want to keep and then transfer them onto one of those little memory sticks, takes up a lot less room

oops!!!,hadn,t thought of that.Its fine though,no electricity supply in the attics and no-one smokes up there,not that I know off anyway.

shelovestobuystuff

nodwah wrote: »

cor that's quick replies!

Shelovestobuystuff I like your Crannog is that near Killin?

Yes,Thats the one.We went up to Loch Tay just to see the Crannog at Easter this year.Loved it,I am mad about crannogs,going back again soon.

lolarentt

.......credit card receipts 12 months, unless it includes a warranty that lasts longer (like John Lewis 2 - 5 years).....anything the tax man might want 6 years.......instruction manuals until I chuck the item...bank statements idefinitley...gas/electricity etc 3 of 4 years just so I can look back and see how much they've gone up!

passion8

nodwah wrote: »

Still trying to declutter and I'm drowning in a sea of paper: I've a folder for bank statements etc which is bursting open. DH wouldn't EVER throw any away but I've shredded all but the last 3 years. He also keeps everything to do with every car he's ever owned- i mean everything, recipts for new tyres, mot s tax discs. I try to keep the current things in a plastic pocket but he still gets in a state when it's time to renew anything like insurance coz he can't find the old ones. He also has every pay slip he's ever had!

So what do you keep and for how long?

Just having a break from decluttering paperwork, but after reading somewhere else that some documents were kept for 20 years!! :eek: I held back on the shredder.

I'm glad I did now as I found a bank account that had been dormant for 13 years. It had over £700 in it

So please check, double check, and avoid the shredder for now