Today I tackled one of my file cabinets. I pulled out all my boxes and boxes of carefully dated, organized, and labeled cancelled checks (that's "cheques" for the Canadians in the audience) and proceeded to make decisions about their continued existence.
I didn't enter into the decision lightly. After consulting numerous web resources and one outdated Reader's Digest, I decided to only shred the checks from BEFORE 2000. I know, I know, the resources told me that 7 years was the longest I needed to keep something but these are official financial documents, people, and I would rather be safe than sorry. So, I doubled the number of years and felt perfectly good about it.
Of course, shredding approximately 17,452 pieces of paper takes no small amount of time- even if I stuck them in the shredder in piles of 5 to 10, it was still over an hour and three bags of shredded material before I was finished.
Good thing the recycle bin goes out tonight.
Not sure why I was keeping all of those checks. Maybe I thought that some future archeologist would come across my cache and find me and my payments fascinating. Kind of like King Tut.
I did discover that since checks have addresses on them, I could map out where I lived from 1986 to 2000. 5 places. I had completely forgotten about one of them. Weird.
I did discover that since checks have addresses on them, I could map out where I lived from 1986 to 2000. 5 places. I had completely forgotten about one of them. Weird.
The dog wasn't happy with me most of the afternoon. Turns out he hates the shredder only slightly less than he hates the vacuum. I have no idea why. It's not like the opening is big enough to fit him in there.
Anyway, the smell of carbonless duplicating paper is permeating my office and I need to go for a walk to clear my head.
Maybe next week I will be organized enough to do my taxes.
