Seven Outdated Documents Worth Destroying or Discarding Prior to the New Year's Arrival
Seven Outdated Documents Worth Destroying or Discarding Prior to the New Year's Arrival
Even though we reside in a primarily digital era, many of us continue to appreciate the tactile sensation of physical documents. The delight of holding a hard copy is undeniable. However, with bills, correspondence, receipts, and other paper clutter, managing it all can become an overwhelming task. Instead of dedicating countless hours to organizing and maintaining it, consider disposing of the paperwork you no longer need, leaving only the essentials. And what better occasion to embark on this decluttering journey than the start of a New Year? As one professional organizer suggests, here are some things to consider:
Megan Ludvinsky is the mastermind behind About Space Organizing situated in Central Arkansas.
Outdated Financial Bills
With electricity, gas, and internet bills now predominantly digital, disposing of the physical copies is an option if you can locate the digital versions elseware. However, any document with an account number should be shredded to safeguard your privacy and security. This may seem tedious, but it's crucial.
Paperwork from Previous Jobs
In our intension to hold on to outdated paperwork from former companies, we often keep documents past their relevance to our lives. It's safer to shred them to comply with any confidentiality requirements rather than merely recycling them.
Expired Coupons and Gift Cards
Many of us possess a stack of expired coupons and gift cards we've been meaning to use, despite their inability to be redeemed. It's advantageous to discard any outdated coupons and expired gift cards, as they serve no purpose in accumulating clutter and can trigger feelings of guilt when we've failed to utilize them.
Junk Mail
Junk mail is not worth keeping at home. Advice from professional organizer Megan Ludvinsky is to discard it directly from the mailbox without even allowing it to touch a surface. If it's piling up and overwhelming, remember that it's labeled "junk" for a reason, and simply clear it out. You can utilize the Direct Marketing Association and Consumer Credit Reporting Industry websites to opt-out of a majority of unwanted mailings, protecting your contact information from being sold to others.
Past Assignments and School Notes
According to Megan Ludvinsky, she encounters a significant amount of old homework and school notes in her clients' homes. Since education and knowledge are continually evolving, some of this information may be outdated. Additionally, any academic topics that pique your interest today can be explored more efficiently online instead of digging through old notes from previous classes.
Receipts
Physical receipts are not as necessary as they once were. Unless you require specific receipts for tax purposes or potential returns, the vast majority of receipts can be discarded. Keep in mind that many receipts are now emailed to us, eliminating the need for paper copies.
After seeking advice from Megan Ludvinsky of About Space Organizing, consider decluttering your Southern Living Home by getting rid of outdated financial bills that have digital counterparts. It's better to shred these physical copies to protect your privacy, even if you've located the digital versions elsewhere. Additionally, considering the New Year as a fresh start, you might want to declutter your home by discarding expired coupons and gift cards, as well as junk mail, which is often unnecessary and can accumulate clutter.