Desk and file reorganization-what to keep?

[happysmileylady]

I am in the middle of reorganizing our computer desk and files. They have been a mess, a total mess, for a while, so really I am just cleaning them up.

Having said that, I have a couple drawers of files that do still have files in them. And I am trying to decide what to keep and what to pitch.

For example, I had a car catch fire in 2000. Do I keep those records? What about records from an accident in 2003?

How far back do I keep tax records, 7 yrs or 10 yrs?

Any other tips you might have on organizing the files, what files or categories to have, how far back to keep stuff, etc etc etc

[tallanvor]

I would think 7 years is plenty. That is what I have always been told. If you have the option, you consider scanning the files and saving them on a thumb drive or external hard drive so you don't have to keep the papers.

[happysmileylady]

Gah, my head hurts. I set aside 2 hrs to do this today. It took half an hour just to get everything down in a consolidated pile. I have had a headache all day today and it's making it very difficult to think clearly about doing this.

I went looking for organizing blogs to get some idea of categories etc. I found lots of CUTE ideas...and I want to do them all...but I don't have the time or money right now. And I need it organized, cute or not.

My head hurts. I don't think this is going to get done today. Just not in the right frame of mind.

[Rdesonia]

Taxes for 7 years. (with all supporting documents like W2's, 1099's, and receipts)

Insurance claims (if paid and settled in full) I wouldn't think you would need it more than 3 years after the payout/settlement(typically that is how long accidents/claims count on your insurance record.)

I keep bills for 6 months. But you could purge those monthly after the bill posts as paid. DH writes the "Paid, date,check #" on them and files them as paid. I don't pay the bills so it would be easier if you paid them to purge as you go unless you are disputing something. I might keep it longer if you are on a payment plan or something.

I only keep receipts if I plan to use them for taxes. Otherwise they get stapled to warranty info. I purge that file yearly as warranties expire.

I have files for : need to file, bills paid (keep medical bills for 1 year), medical (separated by individual-medical records/doctor cards in case we need that info/ vaccination records etc), car (with auto insurance (current)and titles), personal (separated by individual with BC, SS cards, school info /diplomas, DH's army stuff, etc), Taxes by year, Bank accounts (this is for all bank statements, retirement, stocks,old check books), Resume (with work history, work training, certificates etc), Warranties & product info, Misc

Some of this stuff like bank statements, old check books, and auto insurance you don't need to keep as you can access that online. I just like having it on paper.