Declutter This

When it comes to decluttering paper, there is the fear that you'll get rid of something you'll need.  However, there is a lot of stuff that you can clear out of your active file without a second thought.

Get rid of:

• Old copies of bills.  Keep the most current bill.  When you get a new bill, pay it and then file that copy while tossing the previous month's bill.  Or, go paperless and do your bill paying online.
• Past investment statements.  Again, you should keep the most current copy but the past copies do you little good.  Okay, you may want to track how your investments are fluctuating, but you could also talk with your advisor about your investments and allow them to look up your account.  No need to keep past paperwork.
• Bank statements more than a year old. 
• Expired warranties.
• Pay stubs after you've reconciled them with your W-2.
• Manuals for appliances you no longer own.
• Tax records more than a seven years old. 
• Pages torn from magazines and articles printed from online that you've never read or referenced for the past six months.

Yes, there is stuff you should keep, like your social security card and titles to vehicles.  You likely also have paper memorabilia that you want to keep.  Over the next few days, I'll focus on clearing through my own files and talking you through how you can do this on your own. 

I've started my own business, Paper Clutter Help, to assist people who don't have the time to declutter and organize their paperwork.  If you live in the vicinity of Canton, MA, USA, contact me at SusanCaplanMcCarthy@gmail.com.