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Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Stephanie
Date: August 03, 2006 09:03PM
I really hate getting mail because it always ends up being some sort of clutter that either needs to be thrown away or filed.

I've tried to reduce paper statements as much as I can, but I still get some.

So, I'm curious how everyone else handles this. How long do you save your various types of bills and important statements?
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: TheTominator
Date: August 03, 2006 09:12PM
Um... I can't remember throwing out any past statements or bills. So I'm going to say 10+ years is my timeframe. I'll probably change my ways at some point.

Currently I use the archealogical system of filing. I'd like to find something more efficient.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Stephanie
Date: August 03, 2006 09:21PM
see, that's what I'm trying to avoid! I hate PAPER!
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: MacMagus
Date: August 03, 2006 09:22PM
Everything that doesn't get ground up in the shredder gets saved at least 5 years.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: kap
Date: August 03, 2006 09:22PM
Ayy! Yes, I did expect corn flakes.


SoCal for now.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Greg the dogsitter
Date: August 03, 2006 09:31PM
Scan 'n' shred.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: mattkime
Date: August 03, 2006 09:55PM
I keep it until its unimportant.


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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Effin Haole
Date: August 03, 2006 09:55PM
I PDF everything and archive monthly to DVD's.

Keep paper records for 3 years then shred.


Strength without compassion is brutality. Compassion without strength is weakness.

We must train our minds to desire what the situation demands.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Mike Johnson
Date: August 03, 2006 10:06PM
Indefinitely. I can't imagine having the time to scan them and all that. I don't even sort them, really. I throw out the envelopes and such and staple the meaningful staff and put it in a file called Bills 2006.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: dmann
Date: August 03, 2006 10:14PM
Good basic info here:
[www.bankrate.com]

Basically the same info but with tips on how to store everything:
[www.bankrate.com]

Motley Fool used to have a good guide as well but I think you need to be registered now to find it.

BTW- I know all this and I still have a huge mail bin full of stuff waiting to be filed or shredded!

DM
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Harbourmaster
Date: August 03, 2006 10:29PM
Waaaaaaaaaaay too long!


Aloha, Ken


“I have developed significant attachments to several members even though I wouldn't recognize them if I sat next to one on a park bench. I'm often tempted when in an airport to walk around, hollering "The Løpe", to see if anyone other than the Homeland Security people will acknowledge me. ” - The Løpe
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: vision63
Date: August 03, 2006 10:51PM
12 months and out.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: SparkyNimrod
Date: August 03, 2006 10:56PM
I also have too many old papers, so I've been meaning to check out some of the suggestions I found at this site:
[theappleblog.com]

I downloaded Kip, but haven't had time to use it yet. You can grab it at:
[www.macupdate.com]

If someone else likes it, maybe that'll be the incentive I need to try it. smiling smiley
Of course, that doesn't address the question of "how long to save", just "how to save without such a mess".

G'luck!
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: billb
Date: August 04, 2006 07:33AM
Let's see, there's now seven shoe boxes in the closet, one year each, so that's seven years.
In Dec/Jan when days are short the oldest shoebox contents get shredded.
Small file cabinet for equipment, like the papers that came with the chain saw, computer, oven,etc..
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: vicrock
Date: August 04, 2006 08:56AM
The only bills I keep are credit card bills - everything else gets shredded once paid.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Mr Downtown
Date: August 04, 2006 01:00PM
Well, the oldest ones are from 1973.
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Re: Poll: How long do you save bills & other "important" mail?
Posted by: Michael
Date: August 04, 2006 02:19PM
I used to keep every receipt, bill and statement. Several years ago, I shred everything (except that specifically needed to support tax returns). I used a shredder at my office and filled 8 big trash bags. Now, I keep everything through the year and then shred the non-tax stuff in June or July for the previous year. I still keep financial statements, but have considered shredding them. I will keep tax returns forever.
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