Keeping Statements

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-1999
Keeping Statements
3
Sun, 08-03-2008 - 3:09pm

How long do you keep statements? I keep a couple of years of credit card statements, and have done the same with utilities, but I am wondering what the point of keeping my phone statement is,other than giving me paper to file and carry around. There is no tax advantage to these statements (I can't write off any of my utilities) so I am thinking perhaps of just keeping the current one each month until the next one comes and then throwing the previous one away.

I've received the statement from Dell saying I have paid off my installment account; is there any reason to keep all the paperwork that went with the loan?

Opinions appreciated.
Rebecca

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Sun, 08-03-2008 - 4:48pm

I personally keep utility statements until I move and then I keep the last statement saying everything was paid in full with zero balance owing.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2007
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 10:19am

So how long should I keep my previous bank statements? I changed banks last year and still haven't thrown out the old statements dating back 10 yrs.


It'd be nice to free up some room in my files.


prada

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Mon, 08-04-2008 - 2:47pm

No clue is this is what we SHOULD do but this is what we do:


I keep most utility statements for a year. In January I go ahead and shread the previous year's. If I pay off a c/c or medical bill I file the FINAL payment statment in my files. That way if anything comes back across with that doctor's name or something I can refer back to that paperwork.


I shread c/c statements once I make the payment. I can access my stuff online. I shread bank statments too. I can access them online or at the bank during work hours. I feel that's more paperwork and less private. I keep our paperwork in our bedroom closet and God forbid someone break in - that's more info then they'd want.


Course, they'd have to get past my shoes for it............LOL.