Do we still have to keep paper copies of all our statements and bills in the age of the computer and online banking?

[ScummyMummy]

I'm trying to clear up [miserable grumpiness] and am ploughing through acres of old statements, bills, junkmail etc that we've allowed to pile up. I'm going to motivate myself by going out to buy a shredder as at least half of it is rubbish on any measure. But how wise/unwise would it be to then just then shred the lot apart from P60s and recent payslips?

anyone know whether I can become paper free without worry of repercussion?

I would keep statements at least 3 yrs, computers get it wrong, too, sometimes years after they got it right according to the paper copy.

Thanks. So 3 years of statements. Do you keep bills as well?

Reasons to keep paper bills:

Paper Bills are useful to review in the future your past energy use, or quick look at last year's spending. They're good for proving address or Identity checks (you ever had to get an Enhanced Disclosure?). Or when you sell house, the buyer's soliciter will want to see paper bills for water, etc. So might someone compiling a HIPP.

Also easier to claim for damages, if it comes to that, if you have a paper bill (say for car or house repairs) that documents what was supposed to be done.

Or if you want to check in the future what foreign exchange rate you got last year using your credit card in country X, commpared to what is being quoted now.

Or imagine you find out later a mistake was made in how your mortgage payments were calculated, much easier to document if you have the actual document issued by the lender.

Also, personally I find looking at historical documents using paper spread out around me much easier than viewing one page at a time on computer, or having to print it all out again later, anyway.

Thanks, lljkk. You sound very organised. I suppose you're right. We are cluttered of mind and home and don't have very much room and tend to chuck things on the side, later to transfer them to lever arch files or an overspill box. I don't want to keep anything that's not strictly necessary but it sounds like there's not much choice. gloom, sigh.