It’s the end of the year, and you are looking forward to the fresh start a New Year brings. For many of us, that includes reducing paper clutter that is causing disorder in our homes and workspaces.
It’s time to make some decisions. The good news is for most paperwork that doesn’t require immediate action there are only two choices: shred it or archive it.
Here are some quick tips to streamline the paper-handling process:
• Archive or eliminate? Decide which paperwork to keep and which to get rid of. For example, you should keep canceled checks, tax papers, health records, credit card records, records of investments, wills, and tax returns. You can throw away expired insurance policies, non-tax related checks, records for things you no longer own, and pay stubs going back more than two years.
• Organized Archiving: Develop a simple archiving system for the paperwork you are keeping. Create a filing system with folders labeled for each category.
• Tough for the Task: When choosing a shredder to purchase, consider your needs. Do you need one with multi-media shredding capabilities? The Aurora 12-Sheet Medium-Duty Confetti-Cut Shredder can handle CDs and DVDs, which can hold important personal information. What level of security do you need? Confetti-cut shredders cut your documents vertically and horizontally, offering you greater security. Confetti cut shredders also minimize the volume of shredded waste.
• Trash or shred? Decide which papers you are getting rid of need to be destroyed, and which can just go in the trash. Shred anything with personal information such as your full name, address, social security number, birthday, credit card number, or email address. Be sure to shred credit card offers, especially those that are pre-approved. Shred old credit cards, bank cards, and CDs and DVDs with personal information. Consider how much shredding you’ll do, and choose the waste bin size accordingly. With a 4-gallon waste bin capacity, the Aurora 12-Sheet Medium-Duty Confetti-Cut Shredder is well-suited for medium daily usage.
It may seem like tedious work in this busy time of the year, but getting your paperwork in order may be the best gift you can give yourself this season.
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