I have them from years ago all filed away. I've got the shredder ready. How long should I keep them for?

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

My rule of thumb would be one year. However, I'm 100% paperless at this time. I save them in Excel.

That's a good point. All of mine are available online for free if I need them. I have no idea why I never thought of that. I have hoarding genes that I need to fight.

Any income tax records ... how long to do you have to keep them in the US? I just googled it for Canada and I only have to keep them for 6 years. I've got them from 1996 .. ok I'm off to shred now.

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

I think the standard on tax records is 7 years. That's how long we keep ours but I know my parents keep theirs for 10. As far as the credit card statements; I look over them when they come in to make sure everything's okay but once the bill is paid and the next one comes in I shred it. I keep all the zero balance/closed account statements but the rest I shred.

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Jenny, wife to Brad, mommy to two crazy little kids with one on the way!

I Hate Any type of Paper Clutter ( filed or not ) Most of My Bills are paperless so NO paper statement-
The few that I Do Get - I throw away as soon as its Paid.

I don't keep them, I just check, make sure it's correct and trash.

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

One month, once all is clear I shred them. Keeps the filing cabinet easier to get into, too.

I agree with OP, I think taxes are 7 years. I keep 10 years just in case.

I think this is an awesome system! I agree!

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