However, neither method is very efficient or helpful when you’re looking for that one important document.

The key to conquering the clutter is knowing which records to keep and which to toss. Here’s a quick and foolproof guide.

Keep these records for a short time

You can hold onto paid and unpaid bills for at least a month
tommaso79 / Shutterstock
Hold onto paid and unpaid bills for at least a month

You should hold onto all bills (paid or unpaid), receipts and banking records (such as deposit slips and withdrawal receipts) for at least a month.

This paperwork might come in handy in case there are any discrepancies.

For example, if your lender claims you're a month behind on your mortgage, a bank statement — showing the check to the lender was cashed — can be used to show you paid. If your bank claims your $200 deposit was for only $100, your deposit slip can end the debate.

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The best way to store short-term records

Organize these records in a safe place and shred them before throwing them out
gpointstudio / Shutterstock
Organize these records in a safe place and shred them before tossing them

Since these documents often contain sensitive information, it's important to store them in a secure place safe from prying eyes.

And once it's time to get rid of them, shred the documents to protect yourself from the risk of identity theft.

Many utility and credit card companies offer electronic billing statements. If you're computer savvy, this is a great option because the electronic documents can be accessed forever and decrease the number of papers you'll need to sort and shred.

Keep these records for a long time

Store these records for a long time
Stokkete / Shutterstock
Store these records for a long time

Loan papers are the most common documents that need to be saved for the long haul. Whether it's a mortgage, a car loan or a loan for furniture, it's important to keep all of the original documents until the loan is paid in full.

Insurance papers also should be saved for a long time. Life insurance paperwork is best kept in an easy-to-find location so your family can access it if you pass away.

As for tax returns, they should be kept at least seven years. That's how long the Internal Revenue Service can audit your taxes. If you're audited, you'll be glad you still have your returns on hand.

The best way to store long-term records

Scan, save and back up your most important records
FabrikaSimf / Shutterstock
Scan, save and back up your most important records

Retaining an important document is meaningless if you can't find it when you need it.

A filing cabinet is a nice way of organizing your paperwork. But a greener, more efficient method is to scan important financial documents to a secure file on your computer.

Name each document clearly so it’s easy to locate. Consider making multiple folders within your digital file to keep things organized. ("Mortgage" folder, "Life Insurance," and so on.)

Always back up your digital filing, maybe by saving your files on a USB stick that you label and store somewhere safe. With important records, computer pros often have two backups, in case the first fails.

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About the Author

Doug Whiteman

Doug Whiteman

Former Editor-in-Chief

Doug Whiteman was formerly the editor-in-chief of Money.ca. He has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and CNBC.com and has been interviewed on Fox Business, CBS Radio and the syndicated TV show First Business.

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The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter.