Keep or Toss? Your Go-To Guide on Clearing Out All Kinds of Clutter

Receipts

When it comes to things people hang onto because they’re afraid they might need them someday, receipts near the top of the list. Kim Cossette Andre, founder of The Organized Approach in Atlanta, suggests, “Start by separating your receipts into two piles: those that support a tax deduction and those that don’t.” Put receipts related to taxes in boxes labeled by year, and keep each box for seven years before getting rid of it (double check with your accountant to see if he or she recommends a different time frame for you). Another kind of receipt to keep is anything related to large purchases such as major appliances (hang onto those for the life of the item) or any major work done to your home (keep until you sell the house). When it comes time to dispose of those sensitive scraps of paper, says Andre, take them to an office or mail store, which often offer shredding services, or find a shredding service that will come to your home. As for receipts for shoes, toys, and other small purchases: “If there’s no detailed account information, it’s fine to just toss it,” Andre says.