[mamabear]

Oh my! When do you discard old files. I just dug up my filing cabinet and found some files older than my son. How long do you keep documents in your files?

[Teddy]

You keep paperwork for 3 to 5 years. Some people save everything for 7, but that's not necessary. I believe the 3 year mark is just for tax information.

Of course, warranties or instruction manuals for various appliances you still have should be kept.

[Swinky]

I'm a seven year person myself. Don't ask me why - I think I got it from my dad. I've never had to go back and look at anything so you would think I would have learned to just trash the stuff after a few years, but I'm always paranoid that as soon as I throw something out, that's when I'm going to need it.

[Kailey]

It depends on what it is. I try to keep most things for 5 years. I do keep IRS papers and mortgage payments for 10 years. I have thought about scanning the items on the computer to keep this way.

[toby70]

My wife is a squirrel and never throws anything away. We still have instruction manuals for stuff that has broken and been replaced! She keeps a desk diary and she has them going back more than twenty years. One day the paperwork will take over and we will have to move out!