Home Filing - how long do you/should you/is it useful to keep everything for??

[UpsyDaisyDo]

Title say it all really! I'm trying to sort out all my bills and other paperwork which is just getting out of control because I hardly ever throw anything away! I've got bank statements, bills, car insurance certficates, mortgage paperwork etc etc going back literally years. So, what should I keep/shred - I know I need to be ruthless but need help from organised people please. xx

I keep about two years' worth of bills and bank statements, but some stuff needs to be kept forever doesn't it?!

If it helps I look at each thing when I'm having a sort out and think, will I need this is a years' time? If the answer is no then I shred it.

All mortgage stuff goes in a box in the loft.
I think its best to keep it all but shove it out the way because you barely need it.
Bank statements we keep for 2/3 years. Having been through some fraud stuff, I would say its safer to keep it than chuck it out.
Bills we usually just keep for a year.

Dh is a bugger with pay slips though. He keep them forever.

He sorted out our filing cabinet the other day and dug out payslips from 2001!

Thing is I'm keeping stupid things for sentimental reasons as well (my first mortgage offer, old job offers/reference letter etc. etc) and I'm literally drowning in waste paper cos I can't bring myself to do it!!!! I know I don't need them majority of it.... LOL. 2 years sounds like a reasonable starting point though. Thanks OMDB x

Nbg I've not even got a blooming mortgage any more but still think I should keep eveything. And I'm the same as your dh with the payslips! It's all in a box fit to burst at the moment - filing cabinet definitely needs to go on my shopping list. Plenty of room in loft though so maybe put it all up there and forget about it.