How to Spring Clean Your File Cabinet

Let’s face it, we all tend to hold onto documents a little longer than we need. Usually, it’s because we are never sure how long we are supposed to keep said documents. Well, spring is in the air, making it the perfect time to clean out that file cabinet, or if you go the digital route, clear out some memory space.

How Long to Keep Important Documents

So just how long do you need to keep those records? Well per this handy chart from the US Government, it depends.

Disposing of Old Documents

Once you’ve gathered all the papers you need to get rid of, don’t just throw them out. They likely have personal information on them. So unless you want to risk having your identity stolen, you should at the very least be shredding those documents.

I don’t have a super crisscrossing shredder that makes it impossible to put the documents back together. Now, while I doubt anyone is going to be willing to go through my trash and put together shredded pieces of paper in hopes of getting my personal information, I typically add an extra step to make that even less enticing. I use the bag with all my shredded paper as the trash bag for when I clean out the litter box.

Back when I had a fireplace, I used the shredded paper as kindling to help get the fire started. So while shredding is a good first step, it never hurts to take one extra step in protecting your personal information.

Other Documents You Should Get Rid Of

Now the list above is all about “official” paperwork, but I’m willing to guess you have other documents hanging out in that file cabinet/hard drive that you can get rid of as well. Here is a list of other documents you should be throwing out:

• Instruction Manuals for items you no longer own
• That term paper from college/high school that is over five years old
• Old copies of rental leases, when you no longer live there
• Birthday or holiday cards
• Checks that have already been deposited
• Old magazines and articles that you swore you would need to refer to one day

If you are wondering how I came up with the above list, then I have to admit these are all things I’ve been guilty of keeping in my file cabinet for way too long.

Wrapping it Up with a Bow on Top

Spring Cleaning your file cabinet doesn’t have to suck. Pull out the documents and have yourself a shedding party. Throw on some Netflix and it’ll be done before you know it. If you have any questions about what you should or shouldn’t get rid of, hit me up and I’m happy to help.

What’s something you’ve held onto for way too long? What made you finally get rid of it?