Organizing, Decluttering, and Taming The Paper Tiger

[TheWickerFan]

@Nightmare - I don't mind helping people clean their houses, but I wouldn't want to do it as a profession. I've heard way too many horror stories about hotel maids and women who've worked for a company like Merry Maids.

@Cheeba - I'm the same way about the kitchen and the office. The kitchen has enough room taken up by canister sets and small appliances without having to contend with dirty dishes; and at my desk, I need papers OUT where I can find them, not filed. I'm very particular about what actually ends up in a file cabinet. I could go on for hours about organizing paper.:o

@Roshiq - A disorganized DVD collection?? If I lived nearby, I'd totally come to your house and get it organized and displayed.:D

[TheWickerFan]

At this time of year (tax time) I concentrate a lot on paper; by far, the most challenging and soul-destroying type of clutter. How long do you keep certain types of papers? Do you keep a certain amount of years or everything? Do you keep just important papers such as tax documents or receipts for every purchase including a bag of chips? I always appreciate tips on how to control this chronic headache.

[FreddyMyers]

Stuff like movies, book, and music i dont even have to look to get what i want. Other than that it looks like my apt has been throwing up mail and papers for quite some time now. As long as the important stuff is organized....right.

[Fearonsarms]

I am very disorganized and messy I'm afraid but on the subject of keeping paperwork-I got a nasty shock recently when I had an argument with a utility company who had been overcharging me. Trust me you need to keep ALL your receipts for bills even from years ago because it is just your word against theirs otherwise. They claimed I was in small arrears from 2 years ago (though funny how they didnt tell me then but are making a big deal of it now) unfortunately I only have receipts up to 18months ago (as I thought I didnt need really old receipts-I was wrong) so I'm in for a bit of a fight unfortunately. The system is in favour of utlility companies and you are guilty until you can prove you are innocent. So I would recommend being neat and organized but keep all your bill receipts you really do need them as proofs of payment.

[TheWickerFan]

@Freddy - Unlike books and movies, paper is often unsolicited. I have to sort mail right over the trash can or a pile will form in no time.

@Fears - Can you access your bank information? They should have records of your cancelled checks dating back 4 years.

[Fearonsarms]

Unfortunately these payments were made by cash not through a bank. But that is a good idea for people if you can get utility bills paid through your bank (which unfortunately I can't) then I strongly recommend that you do that cos like wickerfan says then the bank will have all the records. The annoying thing is that the utility company themselves claim they only have records of the last ten payments I have made so through a solicitor we have demanded a backlog of all my payments to see what this "arrears" is all about. Point is in my case where I have to pay in cash I suggest you keep ALL receipts. But if you don't want to keep receipts then you have to use a bank. You never know what will happen a couple of years down the line and you need to keep a record of your housekeeping paperwork.

[The Ugly Duchess]

Originally Posted by TheWickerFan

At this time of year (tax time) I concentrate a lot on paper; by far, the most challenging and soul-destroying type of clutter. How long do you keep certain types of papers? Do you keep a certain amount of years or everything? Do you keep just important papers such as tax documents or receipts for every purchase including a bag of chips? I always appreciate tips on how to control this chronic headache.

My important papers I keep in manilla folders in my desk drawer, labeled, for a quick reference. Real important are kept in a safe deposit box.

Old records including my tax clients are kept in small storage boxes that are stored in my enclosed garage. Never use it for my car. I keep my records for about five years, my clients for 7 years after which they will be destroyed unless notified.

Only receipts that can be used to support a tax deduction need be kept. Like medical receipts, tax receipts, receipts for business expenses and so forth. Also unreimbursed employee expenses as well.

I usually keep some of utility bills for about a year and a half, that way I can review them for trends as well as to use for budget purposes. If you have a home office then it would be wise to keep them in your tax files.

I also like to keep some of my magazines like Aviation History, Films of the Golden Age, Classic Images and Cat Fancy. I store them in these plastic containers in various sizes I get from Office Depot.

I also have the bad habit of wanting to keep everything I get my hands on. Occasionally I just make up my mind and clean house. I had about 500 National Geographics. I kept about 40 of the best and donated the rest.

I like to keep everything organized.

Well, that's about it.

Any other questions, Wicker, let me know.

The Duchess

[TheWickerFan]

You answered an important question already; how long to keep tax documents. Seven years is the answer I hear the most frequently, and as you're a CPA, I'm using that number for certain.

[Elvis_Christ]

Originally Posted by Fearonsarms

The annoying thing is that the utility company themselves claim they only have records of the last ten payments I have made

If you were just speaking to an operator over the phone that would be all they'd have access to. But they will have a record of it that just needs to be dug out. Good luck anyways utility companies are a pain in the ass to deal with.

[Fearonsarms]

Thanks you are right it probably was just an operator I spoke to- I've had to request info of all the payments I've made for the last 2 years. So hopefully I'll be able to get this sorted when I get it :)