Poll of the Day > How long should you keep old documents for? (Bank papers/report cards/old books)

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I remember Judge Judy saying 7 years, but I guess I'm looking for your opinion on how long you guys keep papers for. Obviously you want to keep your High School Diploma, but do you keep your old report cards?

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Why would you keep a report card once you're out of school?
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I personally wouldnt. But maybe like 8 years. But thats for report cards. Those are pretty pointless, anyway.

For the important stuff (like bank papers, pay stubs, contracts, etc...)potentially forever...
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Revelation34 posted...

Why would you keep a report card once you're out of school?

So I can see what grades I got.

I keep a copy of everything I have digitally. I mean you can get one piece of paper with all your HS grades and courses. I have a dozen sealed ones at my parents place and then one digital copy at mine.

blu posted...

I keep a copy of everything I have digitally. I mean you can get one piece of paper with all your HS grades and courses. I have a dozen sealed ones at my parents place and then one digital copy at mine.

Why though? It's completely useless to keep any high school record except a diploma once you graduate.
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Revelation34 posted...

Why though? It's completely useless to keep any high school record except a diploma once you graduate.

Because some people are interested in what happened in their past and they want to see it again, not just have it in their fallible memory.

Are you also confused about why people have photo albums, home movies, and diaries?

Rev is confused about a lot of things

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27 years.
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Shes right. I keep my documentation for over a decade.

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It depends on the document.

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Keep all manuals and warranty info for household appliances for the life of the appliance.

Keep all documentation of any house repairs or remodeling for as long as you live there.

Keep tax returns and bill receipts for 5 years.

Healthcare info - until you're dead.

Old books , if they're not collectable and you're not going to look at them again - donate, sell, or just give them away if you don't have space for them.

I taped my report cards inside my yearbooks.

CaptainStrong posted...

Because some people are interested in what happened in their past and they want to see it again, not just have it in their fallible memory.

Are you also confused about why people have photo albums, home movies, and diaries?

Yeah those are totally the same thing as a report card that has no value.
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Revelation34 posted...

Yeah those are totally the same thing

Yes, they are.

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Metalsonic66 posted...

Yes, they are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5E7feJHw0
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Please, tell me more about how other people should cherish their childhood memories

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Metalsonic66 posted...

Please, tell me more about how other people should cherish their childhood memories

Lol.
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Exactly. Ignorant as usual.

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Metalsonic66 posted...

Exactly. Ignorant as usual.

Yeah a report card is totally a childhood memory instead of friends or pictures of those friends.
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Yeah because a person totally can't be nostalgic looking back at their grades or reports or essays from when they were in school

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There are usually guidelines for anything that does actually need to be kept, like financial records. If you're wondering about a given type of document, look for such guidelines from any organization that might require them at some point (e.g. the IRS for financial stuff). If it's a matter of sentiment, you're really the only person that can decide that, though you should make an effort to be cognizant about how much space you have available in which to do so and what effects such storage will have on the people around you.

Revelation34 posted...

Yeah a report card is totally a childhood memory instead of friends or pictures of those friends.

Some people do keep them. Especially if they had like straight As or something...
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Revelation34 posted...

Yeah those are totally the same thing as a report card that has no value.

They're all records of the past. My old report cards and other school documents have value to me. My memory of my childhood sucks and I like seeing actual records from back then.

I think I have a college transcript somewhere, although I've never once shown it to a potential employer, etc. And I tend to hold onto most documents. I also hold onto letters (well, not junk mail, obviously), although I generally throw out greeting cards pretty quickly (except Halloween cards)


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Things like report cards only depend on the value you give to them. How proud would you be to be able to present your report card to your grand-children or your nieces or children?

Bank papers would depend on how much time you have after expiration to be able to make a complaint.

Old books should never be tossed away. They are sources of knowledge and knowledge is power.

The above is IMHO.

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Scan it and shred it. No need to have physical copies of anything where a scan will suffice

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For official or important documents, like bank or tax statements, at least three years.

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Mom needed something to prove a connection while trying to collect some money from the state. A bank statement from about 50 years ago was all she had.

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