What do you do with your bank and billing statements? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jesus Pimp · 12-02-2003, 08:45 AM

What do you do with your bank and billing statements you get in the mail? So far I keep them in boxes and so have aquired a significant amount of paper over the years. I would like to go paperless but most of the companies I deal with don't have that option. How long do you usually keep your statements?

bermuDa · 12-02-2003, 08:51 AM

paystubs, old paid bills, and insurance papers get stapled together and buried in a drawer for when I need kindling.

well I haven't burned it yet but I doubt it'd matter.

Averett · 12-02-2003, 09:09 AM

I used to keep them for awhile, but lately I've just tossed em.

Cynthetiq · 12-02-2003, 09:27 AM

keep financial records for 7 years since that's as far back as the IRS is allowed to go back.

try to keep them organized by year if you can at the minimum.``

hu-man · 12-02-2003, 09:36 AM

Simply throwing your bank statements out (or burning them) can cost you quite a lot of money. If you get audited and can't explain the money on your account, it's their word that's valid... save the papers!

Cynthetiq · 12-02-2003, 09:45 AM

right and while paperless is a great "idea" computers make mistakes and can be manipulated. a paper record is a permanent record.

Averett · 12-02-2003, 10:06 AM

I guess I should start keeping them again!

Dano069 · 12-02-2003, 11:41 AM

They get filed in a binder for the current year. After the year is over, they get put in a box and then finally get shredded after the IRS says I can.

taliendo · 12-02-2003, 08:43 PM

i toss em. i don't care if i get audited, i have to reciepts, no statements, no nothing. I'm screwed - I'm aware. Hope the IRS doesn't see this - heheh!

sailor · 12-03-2003, 08:57 AM

I usually file them away. Especially receipts--they are good to have if something breaks and you need to have the company replace it.

Evil Milkman · 12-03-2003, 11:46 AM

My bank and billing statements usually get thrown away. I'll go on this streak of keeping them around for a while, then I'll usually just toss 'em. Bad habit, probably.

kwoodmex · 12-03-2003, 11:55 AM

i keep them in a binder for a year, after that year that go in a box, and after a year after that they go in the shredder, i always have atleast 2 years on file.

gar1976 · 12-03-2003, 05:52 PM

If you get audited, typically you should be keeping your tax-relevant items (1099, 1098, w-2, k-1, etc.) for seven years.

Bank statements and bills I keep for one, then burn.

rockzilla · 12-04-2003, 05:57 PM

Due to some recent events at my job, I keep ANYTHING that has my signature on it, and anything that has anything to do about my money.

anti fishstick · 12-05-2003, 12:53 PM

i don't think i toss them. but i certainly hide it away in my room in no organized way so they're lieing around lost somewhere... some are perhaps thrown away as well.

analog · 12-05-2003, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
keep financial records for 7 years since that's as far back as the IRS is allowed to go back.

try to keep them organized by year if you can at the minimum.``

Ditto.

I've actually got about 2 more years before I have anything I can burn- been working and had bank account for 5 years. (started at 17, i'm 22 now)

Jam · 12-07-2003, 02:50 AM

hmm well i throw out everything...

pay stubs
bank statements
reciepts (unless something i may want to exchange if it breaks.. ala cell phone /game cube)

im 18 (19 soon) so I dont really know about dealing with the tax shit... i figure they take about 600 dollars a month to provide me with nothing special so they got thier share... if they have a problem... bah ill just move to a new country

yellowgowild · 12-07-2003, 10:21 AM

I shred everything that doesn't have to do with a tax refund.

diddagirl · 12-07-2003, 04:30 PM

ahhhh, I just chuck it all in the garbage. Although it is probably a really really bad idea.....damn I am gonna start working on saving em all.

numist · 12-07-2003, 05:01 PM

I try to keep them, but I wind up losing them.

I don't really care too much at present...

amonkie · 12-07-2003, 07:03 PM

Keep all the reciepts until warranties expire, have a nice little file in the fireproof safe for all the IRS and bank related statements.

rogue49 · 12-07-2003, 09:39 PM

I keep everything, store them together in years.
I've got stuff going back to my teens.

And thank god, I've done this...in my field you need clearances.
And they ask you EVERYTHING (when, where, who, etc) for these going back 10 years.
Sometimes more.
(You know what it's like to figure out who was your boss 10 years ago?)

IRS does require 7 years worth for audit purposes.
BTW...they've even done a background check on me for my previous Dept. of Treasury position.

It's just best to get a box, mark it for the year, and put it to the side.

ashap · 12-08-2003, 02:47 PM

Shred what you don't need for tax purposes.

I know a guy that threw it all in the garbage and got his identity stolen. Serious mind bend!

phunktastic · 12-10-2003, 08:16 PM

I've been throwing it all in the garbage and using my banks online banking stuff with Quicken.

Maybe I should start saving things. I'm only 18 though, its not like the IRS is going to come audit me for the 5,000 I made this year.

12-02-2003, 08:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jesus Pimp The Original JizzSmacka	What do you do with your bank and billing statements? What do you do with your bank and billing statements you get in the mail? So far I keep them in boxes and so have aquired a significant amount of paper over the years. I would like to go paperless but most of the companies I deal with don't have that option. How long do you usually keep your statements? __________________ Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

12-02-2003, 08:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
bermuDa don't ignore this--> Location: CA	paystubs, old paid bills, and insurance papers get stapled together and buried in a drawer for when I need kindling. well I haven't burned it yet but I doubt it'd matter. __________________ I am the very model of a moderator gentleman.

12-02-2003, 09:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	I used to keep them for awhile, but lately I've just tossed em. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

12-02-2003, 09:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	keep financial records for 7 years since that's as far back as the IRS is allowed to go back. try to keep them organized by year if you can at the minimum.`` __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

12-02-2003, 09:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	right and while paperless is a great "idea" computers make mistakes and can be manipulated. a paper record is a permanent record. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

12-02-2003, 09:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
hu-man The one that got away Location: Over the hill and far away	Simply throwing your bank statements out (or burning them) can cost you quite a lot of money. If you get audited and can't explain the money on your account, it's their word that's valid... save the papers!

12-02-2003, 10:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	I guess I should start keeping them again! __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

12-02-2003, 11:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	They get filed in a binder for the current year. After the year is over, they get put in a box and then finally get shredded after the IRS says I can. __________________ I may look attentive, but I'm taking peeks down your blouse faster than the human eye can follow.

12-02-2003, 08:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
taliendo Insane Location: an indelible crawl through the gutters	i toss em. i don't care if i get audited, i have to reciepts, no statements, no nothing. I'm screwed - I'm aware. Hope the IRS doesn't see this - heheh! __________________ -LIFE IS ABSURD-

12-03-2003, 08:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	I usually file them away. Especially receipts--they are good to have if something breaks and you need to have the company replace it. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

12-03-2003, 11:46 AM	#11 (permalink)
Evil Milkman Addict Location: Illinois	My bank and billing statements usually get thrown away. I'll go on this streak of keeping them around for a while, then I'll usually just toss 'em. Bad habit, probably.

12-03-2003, 11:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
kwoodmex Crazy	i keep them in a binder for a year, after that year that go in a box, and after a year after that they go in the shredder, i always have atleast 2 years on file.

12-03-2003, 05:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
gar1976 Custom User Title Location: Lurking. Under the desk.	If you get audited, typically you should be keeping your tax-relevant items (1099, 1098, w-2, k-1, etc.) for seven years. Bank statements and bills I keep for one, then burn.

12-04-2003, 05:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
rockzilla Junkie Location: The Kitchen	Due to some recent events at my job, I keep ANYTHING that has my signature on it, and anything that has anything to do about my money.

12-05-2003, 12:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
anti fishstick Post-modernism meets Individualism AKA the Clash Location: oregon	i don't think i toss them. but i certainly hide it away in my room in no organized way so they're lieing around lost somewhere... some are perhaps thrown away as well. __________________ And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anais Nin

12-07-2003, 02:50 AM	#17 (permalink)
Jam Junkie	hmm well i throw out everything... pay stubs bank statements reciepts (unless something i may want to exchange if it breaks.. ala cell phone /game cube) im 18 (19 soon) so I dont really know about dealing with the tax shit... i figure they take about 600 dollars a month to provide me with nothing special so they got thier share... if they have a problem... bah ill just move to a new country

12-07-2003, 10:21 AM	#18 (permalink)
yellowgowild Psycho Location: Tampa	I shred everything that doesn't have to do with a tax refund.

12-07-2003, 04:30 PM	#19 (permalink)
diddagirl Addict Location: Calgary, AB	ahhhh, I just chuck it all in the garbage. Although it is probably a really really bad idea.....damn I am gonna start working on saving em all. __________________ "Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun, to have lived long in the spring, to have loved, to have thought, to have done." -Matthew Arnold

12-07-2003, 05:01 PM	#20 (permalink)
numist Banned Location: UCSD, 510.49 miles from my love	I try to keep them, but I wind up losing them. I don't really care too much at present...

12-07-2003, 07:03 PM	#21 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Keep all the reciepts until warranties expire, have a nice little file in the fireproof safe for all the IRS and bank related statements. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

12-07-2003, 09:39 PM	#22 (permalink)
rogue49 Loser	I keep everything, store them together in years. I've got stuff going back to my teens. And thank god, I've done this...in my field you need clearances. And they ask you EVERYTHING (when, where, who, etc) for these going back 10 years. Sometimes more. (You know what it's like to figure out who was your boss 10 years ago?) IRS does require 7 years worth for audit purposes. BTW...they've even done a background check on me for my previous Dept. of Treasury position. It's just best to get a box, mark it for the year, and put it to the side. Last edited by rogue49; 12-07-2003 at 09:43 PM..

12-08-2003, 02:47 PM	#23 (permalink)
ashap Crazy Location: Great white north	Shred what you don't need for tax purposes. I know a guy that threw it all in the garbage and got his identity stolen. Serious mind bend!

12-10-2003, 08:16 PM	#24 (permalink)
phunktastic Insane Location: Dayton, Ohio	I've been throwing it all in the garbage and using my banks online banking stuff with Quicken. Maybe I should start saving things. I'm only 18 though, its not like the IRS is going to come audit me for the 5,000 I made this year. __________________ "Relax, the world will spin beside itself and suck you in. With threats and hopes beyond compare"