- Adoption Papers – Forever
- Articles of Incorporation – Forever
- Auto Bills – 1 Year
- Bank Statements (annual) – 7 Years – (toss the monthly once you get the annual)
- Bank Statements (monthly) – 1 Year
- Birth Certificates – Forever
- Bonds (records of issuance) – Forever
- Cancelled Checks – 7 Years
- Contracts (past expiration) – 7 Years
- Credit Card Records – 7 Years
- Custody Agreements – Forever
- Death Certificates – Forever
- Deeds and Titles – Forever
- Divorce Decrees – Forever
- Envelopes – Toss (unless you repurpose as scratch paper or use to file a years worth in one)
- Estate Planning – Forever
- Financial Reports (annual) – Forever
- Health Records – Forever
- Home Improvement and Other Real Estate – 7 Years (after you sell home)
- Income Tax Returns (with supporting docs) – 3 years to audit for errors and 6 years for under reporting income but 7 years minimum
- Income Tax Returns (without supporting docs) – Forever per IRS
- Insurance Policies (past expiration) – 4 years
- Inventory List and/or Video – Forever – All major personal property, important accounts and items in safe deposit box
- Investment Statements (annual) – 7 Years – Toss the monthly statements after you get the annual.
- Investment Records (past disposal) – 4 Years
- Life Insurance Policies – Forever
- Loan Papers (after final payment) – Forever
- Marriage Certificates – Forever
- Medical Bills and Cancelled Insurance Policies – 3 Years
- Medical EOB’s (Explanation of Benefits) – 1 Year
- Medical EOB’s for chronic or serious illness – 7 Years
- Military Discharge – Forever
- Mortgage (Records that prove payoff) – Forever
- Passports – Forever
- Pay Stubs till get W2 to check for accuracy – 1 Year
- Phone Bills – 1 Year
- Privacy Policies medical and financial – Toss
- Receipts, big item or warranty item – Forever (for insurance claims)
- Receipts, cash – Toss (unless you know you want to keep it)
- Receipts, credit or debit card – Toss after you check monthly statement
- Records of Selling a House – 3 Years
- Records of Selling Stock – 3 Years
- Retirement Account Statements – Forever – toss quarterly after you get annual / keep until retired
- Settled Accident Reports – 7 Years
- Social Security Cards – Forever
- Utilities – 3 Years
- W2’s – Forever (or until you start collecting Social Security)
- Warranties – Forever – keep with purchase receipt until it expires
- Wills – Forever
Online Documents: Download to computer – encrypt the files and store backup copies on a USB, CD, DVD, external hard drive, or web-based storage.
Maintenance: Schedule time – 10 minutes a day or 1 hour a week PLUS a few hours annually
Shredding Documents: Purchase your own personal shredder at an office supply store or online such as Amazon.
Shredding Companies:
- Stapes uses Iron Mtn: 971-261-4073 – $1/lb. – bring in as is
- Iron Mtn: 877-378-7726 or 888-233-4430
- National Shredding Alliance (NSA): 855-976-1040
- Office Max: $0.59/lb. up to 5 lbs., $0.49 to 10 lbs., and $0.39/lb. 11 lbs. and up
- Shred It in Portland: 503-825-8780
- UPS Store: 503-207-4128 or 503-434-9238
- Shred Nations: 503-207-4128
If you or someone you know needs help with downsizing, organizing, or creating a sacred space in your home, please get in touch with me today!
Karen Brooks is an Inspired Organizer at her business, Master Your Disaster, LLC. She helps people and companies create organized and sacred spaces for a peaceful and harmonious life. Serving in McMinnville, Newberg, Lincoln City, Salem, Oregon, and surrounding areas. You can reach her at masteryourdisaster@gmail.com or call 503-881-7652