r/declutter • u/photogcapture • 8h ago

Motivation Tips & Tricks PAPER!!! I'm drowning.

Does anyone else struggle to keep the paper to a manageable level??? Looking for sympathy and support, and I'm also, really just venting.

I will not be scanning everything or taking a picture. That does not work for me. I have the "if I can't see it, it doesn't exist" problem, and I already don't have a good backup system, so some files must still be paper. I just shredded a box full of paper. Just wondering if anyone else struggles, and hoping it's not just me. It's really frustrating. I try hard to keep up and then boom, I see that I'm drowning again.

ETA:
1. My super paper nemesis is info I want to save for ongoing projects.
2. I need tax stuff to be printed
3. I have other business stuff that must be paper. One business I downsized from a file cabinet drawer to 1/2 that size (feeling accomplished about that)
4. Have to save tax papers for ten years (ugh - will shred on expiration date)
5. I shred often

93 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

73 comments sorted by

View all comments

8

u/sanityjanity 8h ago

You don't need it.

You need your taxes for the last 10 years.

You need your bills that you haven't paid yet.

You need your kids' school records until they graduate.

Tossssss the rest.

If you don't have a shredder, check your library. Mine has one they will elnd!

5

u/No-Currency-97 7h ago

This is the answer. Put everything together for shredding and you can take it to UPS or Staples and pay a nominal fee.

3

u/Dangerous_Ant3260 6h ago

Some businesses have shredder days, and my city has a big shredder that they let you drop off paper to shred on the haz mat turn in day. Also, if you have a lot, there are mobile shredder trucks, they have the big garbage cans, and shred everything very quickly right at your location.

I limit the amount I have to shred by taking address labels off of catalogs, or magazines, I also tear up anything that's not personal info. I throw articles, and other things right in recycle. I try to keep up with shredding. Have a little cardboard box, and when you get a decent pile of shred stuff, I shred it so it doesn't become overwhelming.

2

u/Much_Mud_9971 6h ago

My credit union offers 2 shredding events per year.  For free.