I finally did it. I couldn't cram one more paper in our old metal
four drawer filing cabinet which we've moved through six houses. I went
to Suze Orman's site,
printed the list of how long to keep what and started shredding. It
took me from morning until 6 PM, when I had to stop to go to CPR class.
By the way, if you've never taken a CPR class or if it's been a long
time and your certification has expired (as had mine) take a class, save
a life. I've performed it twice with good outcomes.
Anyhow,
after class, I returned to the file cabinet. And finished! I had to
leave the six piles of settlement documents on the floor, until I could
buy some expanding file folders to neatly package them. Apparently, you
only need to save the proof that your lien has been released for former
properties. I elected to save the title insurance and most of the
settlement papers. I did get rid of the loan applications and homeowners
association documents.
Suze says you only have to save
three years of tax returns, six if you under reported your income by
25%. I certainly haven't under reported my income, but I saved six years
anyhow.
I saved significant health event bills/reports and shredded the rest.
I
still have every paycheck stub I've received, but since my retirement
is deferred, I elected to save them, just in case my employment history
was wiped from the books. I didn't dare shred any of hubby's. I let him
know they were there and he indicated he might go through them some day
and save some of the significant raises.
We now have two half-filled drawers, one empty drawer and the bottom drawer has room for a couple more home purchases.
Five bags of shredded paper went to the recycling center.
Today
I caught up on correspondence I'd been putting off, sometimes for
years! It just took one morning to get everything checked off my list.
I
ended the afternoon by making an appointment at the hair salon and
calling our internet/cable/phone provider, asking to be rebundled. I'd
done this last August and save a few dollars. Today they were able to
save me $8.88 per month and threw in three free months of two premium
channels. I saved over $100 for the year, just because I called and
asked.
It feels wonderful to be rid of the clutter and
dread. Is there something you've been putting off? Just do it. You'll
not regret it.
7 comments:
Good for you, Sherry. I'm afraid it would take me a couple of weeks to clear mine. sigh.
I thought so too, but once I dug in, I really was able to get it cleaned out in a day.
Maybe you could try just doing 15 minutes a day until it's done, Ms. Pie.
I feel so much better, I wish I'd done it years ago.
I spent another couple of hours in the office today. I cleaned out a cabinet of office supplies and misc. junk. I shredded all my old rejection letters. And got rid of a dozen name badges from writers conferences. I don't know why I was keeping any of this stuff.
I also sorted through pens, pencils, markers and highlighters.
Good for you Sherry! I know I must have tons of that kind of stuff and should do the same thing. I do keep a basket behind the chair for all my shred-able stuff and take a day about once a month to shred away. I keep a rotating file by the month and each month when I do the bills, I clean that file of last years bills and that keeps down on the regular stuff. And yes, it is wonderful to have even a small area free of junk!
My goodness, you did accomplish a lot. I need to do this, too many moves and medicals bills, sounds good to narrow all this down. I will have to put aside a few days and just go through it all.
Thank you for the article, it is motivating in a great way :)
Jewel
Jinny I love your rotating basket idea of tossing out the old years bills month by month. Brilliant!
Jewel, you can do it. I'm not going to fib and say it's fun or quick. But once you get going, I'm sure you'll be determined that it eventually gets completed. And you'll feel so much happier for it. Maybe you'll find something long forgotten or valuable :) Good luck!
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