How do you deal with home document clutter?

KC Jones · 11-25-2007, 09:51 AM

I'm taking back over the 'paperwork' portion of our domestic organization. My wife's approach to this dilemma was save everything, which basically resulted in massive piles of 'to be filed' documents, and bulging files that spread out over several folders. We're not quite to the carve tunnels through the office stage of pack rat habitation, but I can see it's not too far off. I probably tend too far to the pitch everything side. One point of contention is certainly what to save, and how long to save things.

So, my thought is this. We need a plan or process to follow. So if any of you have such a thing in your homestead that works well please share. Due to the wonders of Google I have found one very good website and will add others if people recommend them.

articles and websites:
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/clutter/financial_tax.html

blueballs · 11-25-2007, 10:11 AM

paper will be worth mucho dollars
but not for 50 years downthe line

Deberg_1990 · 11-25-2007, 10:14 AM

I stopped getting most of my bills mailed to me. I pay most of my bills online now.

You view your billing history on line anyways.

Helps keep some of the paperwork down.

milkman · 11-25-2007, 10:29 AM

Buy a bigger house.

**Buehler445** · 11-25-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I stopped getting most of my bills mailed to me. I pay most of my bills online now.

You view your billing history on line anyways.

Helps keep some of the paperwork down.

I do a lot of that, but my ****ING internet seems to be broken every time I sit down to do my financial work. It really ****s up my chi.

At any rate, my suggestion to you is to save every thing until you get your taxes filed. Anything possible you can deduct from your taxes, do it and save the documentation for 7 years (I believe). In the event that you get audited, you will want it, I promise.

Anything else you "could" toss. I have taken to keeping my bills for a year with the check # on them. I have had to refer to them before, but I haven't needed my bills over a year old.

Any high dollar bills or purchases, I would keep the documentation for at least the life of the warranty, especially if there is a phone number or part number in the event that you need to reorder parts.

That's what I do. What I would suggest you do is keep everything until your taxes are filed, then you can evaluate what you need based on the following.

Documentation needed for an IRS audit
Information you need to extend the life of the product
references for bills paid

Hope this helps.

**Bwana** · 11-25-2007, 10:31 AM

kcfan82 · 11-25-2007, 10:42 AM

I scan in my documents, save them to one of my servers and back that up to a 500 gig external that I can grab and run out of the house with in case of a fire.

**Buehler445** · 11-25-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfan82

I scan in my documents, save them to one of my servers and back that up to a 500 gig external that I can grab and run out of the house with in case of a fire.

This is optimal if you have the $ for the scanner software and storage.

kcfan82 · 11-25-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

This is optimal if you have the $ for the scanner software and storage.

Yeah, and you don't want a single page scanner. A scanner with a feed tray is optimal.

I think the prices on scanners and external hard drives have significantly dropped over the past year.

11-25-2007, 09:51 AM
KC Jones Genious Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $10012761	How do you deal with home document clutter? I'm taking back over the 'paperwork' portion of our domestic organization. My wife's approach to this dilemma was save everything, which basically resulted in massive piles of 'to be filed' documents, and bulging files that spread out over several folders. We're not quite to the carve tunnels through the office stage of pack rat habitation, but I can see it's not too far off. I probably tend too far to the pitch everything side. One point of contention is certainly what to save, and how long to save things. So, my thought is this. We need a plan or process to follow. So if any of you have such a thing in your homestead that works well please share. Due to the wonders of Google I have found one very good website and will add others if people recommend them. articles and websites: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/clutter/financial_tax.html
Posts: 5,366

11-25-2007, 10:11 AM	#2
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	paper will be worth mucho dollars but not for 50 years downthe line
Posts: 14,233

11-25-2007, 10:14 AM	#3
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3754454	I stopped getting most of my bills mailed to me. I pay most of my bills online now. You view your billing history on line anyways. Helps keep some of the paperwork down. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

11-25-2007, 10:29 AM	#4
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	Buy a bigger house. __________________
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11-25-2007, 10:31 AM	#6
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139293647	. Attached Thumbnails
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11-25-2007, 10:42 AM	#7
kcfan82 Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10004900	I scan in my documents, save them to one of my servers and back that up to a 500 gig external that I can grab and run out of the house with in case of a fire.
Posts: 881