Home Office Tips

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

20 Jan 2008 07:56 AM

The home office can be one of the busiest and most clutter areas of the house. Paper just tends to collect and multiply. But just what do you file and what do you toss? Here are some quick tips to help you in your home office.

Invest in a shredder for your home office. Shredding documents that contain personal information is a must to protect against identity theft. Many people just throw away credit card offers, but those offers can be as candy to a theft who wants to use your credit.

Tax returns need to be kept forever. Any supporting documents can probably be tossed after three years (or six years if you have a business). You can check on exactly what you need to keep by visiting the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Receipts can usually be tossed out after a month, since most return policies limit you to a return within 30 days. There are a few reasons to keep personal receipts: If you need them as proof of purchase for warranties, for proof of major purchases, such as your car or major home improvement projects, any expense reimbursements or tax deductions, or for recording into your budget. Combine the receipts by type for easy organization.

Warranty information or instruction manuals can be stored one of two ways. You can either store this paperwork in a folder in the room where you store the item, or choose a central location, such as a filing cabinet, with folders that separate the warranties and manuals by room.

For miscellaneous personal paperwork, such as letters, journals, notes, etc., you'll need to take a good look at why you are keeping the items. Consider scanning these items to your computer hard drive when possible to reduce clutter. If you find that you can't part with some of this personal paperwork, find a special place for it all, so that it doesn't spill over onto floors and flat surfaces.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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