If you’re drowning in paper clutter, chances are you’re keeping far more than you need to be. While a small amount of important documents need to be saved long term, some things only need to be kept for a short bit, and most can be let go of immediately. That’s why knowing what can safely be recycled (or shredded) can help drastically reduce clutter and make the important stuff easier to organize and locate when you need it. We’ve created a guide to help you do just that, so get ready to toss the stacks of papers that have been haunting your home for too long.
Papers You Can Toss Today
Here is a list of the papers you can declutter today without guilt. Note that if you have any doubts about any paperwork, always consult your financial advisor, banker, insurance agent, accountant, or attorney before tossing it.
1. Utility Bills
Utility statements are among the most common paper culprits because they arrive monthly. Unless, of course, you’ve already opted for paperless billing to cut down on a chunk of paper clutter. Unless you need them for tax deductions, proof of residency, or a home-related dispute, most utility bills don’t need to stick around long-term.
To be safe, keeping the most recent few months should be more than enough. Digital access through your utility provider’s website or app makes it easy to retrieve older statements later if needed. If you prefer physical backups, limit yourself to no more than one year’s worth. Before tossing them, make sure there are no unresolved billing issues or reimbursement needs tied to the account, and all personal information is blacked out or shredded.
2. Bank Statements and Credit Card Bills
Similarly, online banking allows you to securely retrieve account history in just a few clicks. That means those stacks of old monthly statements sitting around can go. Although rare, exceptions include situations where a specific statement contains information relevant to taxes, legal matters, or major purchases, such as an appliance. Even then, you can scan it and save it to a secure cloud system on your computer. While we’re on the subject of security, always shred physical statements and remember to enable two-factor authentication on financial sites and apps.
3. Manuals and Warranties
If your junk or desk drawer is stuffed with manuals for electronics, appliances, and furniture, you’re not alone, but it doesn’t mean you have to live that way. Most manufacturers now offer downloadable PDF versions of manuals directly on their websites, making paper copies unnecessary. If an item is old or particularly complex, you may want to keep the manual as long as you own it. Otherwise, a quick online search can confirm whether a digital version exists before you recycle the printed copy. A helpful tip is to create a folder on your desktop for manuals so you can easily find them when something breaks, whether the downloaded version from a website or your own scanned copy.
As for warranties, once the period has expired, the paperwork attached to it usually becomes irrelevant, too. When decluttering these papers, try to pair each with the item it belongs to. If you no longer have it, it’s broken beyond repair, or well outside the warranty window, say goodbye to the paperwork without a second thought.
4. Paid Medical Bills and Explanation of Benefits Forms
Medical paperwork tends to accumulate quickly, especially if you’ve been seeking out a diagnosis or have had hospital stays. When the bills have been paid and insurance claims fully processed, many of these papers no longer need to take up residence in your home. It’s smart to keep documents tied to unresolved claims, tax deductions, or ongoing medical conditions. Try creating a temporary folder for current-year medical paperwork. At the end of the year, shred everything that’s been resolved. Alternatively, consider scanning paperwork into a secure digital file. It may prove helpful to have it handy if you find yourself in your doctor’s office and need to discuss billing.
