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What
to Shred and What to Keep?
There are no simple rules for what to keep
and what to shred. You should always use common sense when
deciding what you should keep and what you should shred. Below
are just some suggestions from Shred-it. Each person's
situation is different, so if in doubt, check with your personal
lawyer or financial consultant.
Immediately:
Credit card offers; junk mail and magazine labels; expired
passports/visas, ID's, or driver's licenses; any expired or voided
documents with a maiden name, signature, social security number or
license number on it; expired credit cards, résumé's or curriculum
vitae; used airline tickets; old report cards.
Keep for 30-45 days:
Credit card receipts - Sales receipts for minor purchases -
Withdrawal and deposit slips (Shred after you have checked them
against your monthly statements, but keep them for seven years or
more if tax related expenses are documented on them.)
Keep for 1 year:
Bills - (When the cancelled check is returned, you may shred the
bill, but keep bills that document big purchases such as jewelry,
computers, collectibles, etc. for insurance purposes in case of fire
or theft.)
Paycheck stubs, monthly bank, credit card, mutual fund brokerage,
and retirement account statements - (Shred when you get your W-2
forms and the two match up. If they do not match up, request a
W-2c)
Keep for 7 years or more:
W-2's, 1099's and other tax return items (document's and stubs to
back up information on returns)
End of year credit card statements, brokerage and mutual fund
summaries.
Keep Indefinitely in fire resistant safe:
Receipts/bills for major purchases, real estate, mortgages, legal
fees, commissions and residence records, home improvements
(remodels, additions, installations) wills, trusts, adoption papers,
brokerage statements (till you sell securities).
Retirement/Savings plan statements (Keep quarterly statements until
you receive annual statements, if they match, shred quarterlies and
keep annual.)
Keep Indefinitely in safe deposit box:
Birth, death, and marriage certificates; marriage licenses; divorce
papers; insurance policies; passports.
Sources: www.bankrate.com,
www.advisortoday.com,
www.fightidentitytheft.com/shred.html,
www.organizeyourlife.org
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