Organized A to Z Blog

Do you save receipts?

September 15, 2010

Saving important receipts can actually save you money.  Saving unnecessary ones only compounds your clutter.

Clothing receipts- a must if that new shirt you purchased last week, shrinks after wearing it only one time!

If you have to repair a major appliance, and the part is guaranteed for three years, you’ll need that receipt to prove it is still within that time frame. Unfortunately, the appliance companies do not usually keep those records for you-they tell you to “just keep the receipt”. 

Expensive items, art work, jewelry or furniture receipts should be kept for resale purpose, inheritance value or theft.

Receipts used for tax purposes might be needed to prove deductible items, should you be audited.

Checking your receipts against your charge purchases will alert you if there are any fraudulent charges on your account. Sometimes a thief will charge small things to your account for months to see if you notice, before they make start making larger purchases. The easiest way to keep receipts is to use an accordion folder, or binder type with 12 month slots.  Just drop your receipts in the proper month. Once a month after you’ve checked the slips to your charge cards, you can file a copy in your specific folders with the original paperwork for appliances or furniture purchases, etc.

Warning! Some receipts fade over time, so make a copy before you file it away. Keeping your receipts organized can also help you stay true to your budget and keep track of where your money is going… especially in these tough times!

Thanks to Organized A to Z partner Joann Guariglia for contributing this article. Joann is a Professional Organizer and Senior Move Manager who owns and operates Total Organizing Solutions. For more information go to the Web site www.HelpYouToOrganize.com  Also, you may reach Joann at 941-628-6957 or Joann@HelpYouToOrganize.com.

Filed under: Home Management,Paper Management,Record Keeping

Tags: digital storage, neatreceipts, organize, receipts