Almost the end of the year and your 2011 files are probably bulging. I'd venture to guess that MOST of what is filed or needs to be filed is lost likely not needed. 80% of what we keep isn't!

I pulled out about 6 hanging files today to see if I can get rid of most of it. 2 of which are utility files which I can download the bills and then purge the hard copies. I hadn't kept on top of doing that each month but it's easily remedied now. In reality, there's no need to download them - they're easily found on the websites but it makes it quicker for me for my taxes to have them. I might want to rethink that though.

I have two folders full of store receipts and I'm sure that almost all can go. A quick review of those is probably all that's needed.

Do you have files you can purge this month? Join me please and post your progress.

I am a few days ahead of you. I spent last Friday night and Saturday purging client files. I keep them in the closet in plastic boxes. I normally purge in January but decided it was ok to do it sooner. For the client's that have passed away I am keeping 2 years of files only. The other client's I keep 7 years.

I started with 13" of paper. I burned one shredder out and the other one would stop becaue it got too hot. I researched shredders and bought a new crosscut one. I filled 2 paper lawn bags with shredded paper. I pushed it down hard to avoid using a 3rd bag. All of that went with recycle today.

This will give me time to scan more of our personal documents and purge those toward the end of the year.

That's fantastic!

I emptied 4 huge hanging folders full of papers today. Mostly utility bills. I went to each company's websites and downloaded the statements they had online and shredded the paper copies I had.

I also didn't realize I had one big folder of stuff from my last job. Haven't heard a peep from anyone there since I left in August, it's not like they're going to call with any questions.

I am wondering Kimberly, if I can do the same thing. I have thought about trying to go to the websites and download the bills too, to get rid of paper clutter. Only what would I do, if a resource wanted the actual bill? Will social security offices, etc accept the online versions?

Since so many people only get online bills now, yes, they will accept a print out.

Not so everywhere. State disability agencies, at least in the state of TX, still require paper and original-only receipts, as proof of purchasing strictly allowed medical items, as well as mandatory documents - for example: letters of medical necessity from physicians must be originals with ink signatures, on letterhead; no photocopies accepted. Period. Same with proof of income and banking activity.

Puts many of us between a rock and a hard place -- when one side refuses to accept computer-generated documents (too many opportunities for additional fraud) though it would be nice to drag the state into the twentieth century, let alone the twenty-first. Then there is the other side such as banking and utilities making almost impossible to get original paper copies of anything without charging ridiculous, rip-off "research" and "printing" fees.

So until everyone gets on the same page, with regard to requirements, I still need to get both versions: paper for state gov't and electronic/computer versions for personal and tax files, that my CPA and financial consultant both prefer.

One day, maybe, hopefully, the 'powers that be' will understand that paper is not the only 'safe' way... Oh well.

In the meantime, consider WHAT you need to keep. If you need a bill/some bills for 'proof of residence', you don't need *all* your bills. If you need bills to justify certain expenses (medical expenses for your insurance company, etc) just keep those bills.