Save it or Shred it

Keep for 1 month

  • Credit card receipts
  • Sales receipts for minor purchases
  • Withdrawal and deposit slips
    Toss after you have checked them against your monthly statement

Keep for 1 year

  • Paycheck stubs
  • Monthly bank, credit card, mutual fund, brokerage and retirement account statements

Keep for 7 years

  • Taxes
  • W-2's, 1099s and other tax return items
    (Checks to back-up tax returns)
  • Year end credit card statements, brokerage and mutual fund summaries

Keep indefinitely

  • Receipts for major purchases
  • Real estate and residence records
  • Wills and trusts

Keep in safe deposit box

  • Birth and death certificates
  • Marriage licenses
  • Insurance policies
  • Divorce papers

Cynthia Braun is a certified professional organizer for Suffolk County and Nassau County, New York