We have an appointment with a tax accountant next week, which means I’m gathering paper. As if I’m not already frustrated with the excess of paper we have in this house. And I try! I really do. I’m scanning photographs to save on an external hard drive. I do not keep tax paperwork after seven years (it is seven years, right?!)
We need to file a final return for Jim’s dad, who died last September, and we need to file our own return. Normally, I can handle it (even though I hate doing taxes), because our lives are not very complicated. This year, I need a professional, so I need to be sure I have everything together. And yes, it’s stressing me out a little. So much paper.
Paper can really clutter our lives (sure, pun intended). I work one day a week. But I need to fill out a time sheet for that one day. I send it off to the boss, but I keep a copy…just in case. (I do shred it and send it to the recycle bin as soon as I get paid). I have direct deposit, but still receive a paper receipt for my pay (in an envelope). More paper. Most all of our bills are e-bills now, and I pay them online, but there’s still too much paper everywhere. So my little project is to find ways I can cut down on the paper.
Your thoughts and tips will be appreciated!
Martha Reynolds Writes 
My former employer had to change administrators for pension payments. Now I get a statement every month for deposits instead of an annual notice. I am sure they are being charged for that. What a waste of paper and money. I shred a lot around here.
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I do as well, Denise. Way too much!
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I’m thinking there’s not really a good answer for extra paper — even when all your bills are done on line (ours are, also). It’s the junk mail from lenders, etc., that drives me nuts. But just last month I contacted one on line and asked to be removed from their mailing list. Surprisingly — though I sure wasn’t expecting it — I got a response saying they have complied with my wishes. Now I’m asking myself if I want to do that with all the junk mail I get and see what happens. Could turn into a full-time job!
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It really could, Cheryl! I pick up the mail and stand at the recycle bin, sorting. 😉
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My one recommendation is to save everything in Evernote. Anything that comes in on paper that you might need later (e.g. tax documents), scan it into Evernote. Save your timesheets into Evernote, because as sure as God made little green apples, there will come a time when you need them, whether you work one day a week or seven. Important emails can be forwarded to Evernote (if you’re a premium user, which is $70 a year and worth every penny). Nearly every appliance’s user manual is available in PDF format online, so find it and save it into Evernote. Heck, even the pictures you’re saving can go there. Premium comes with 10GB of uploads a month, which will likely save a lot of photos.
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John, that’s a great tip. I’d heard of Evernote, but didn’t know what it was. Sounds like a worthwhile investment. Thanks!
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You got this Martha! It will be over shortly.😉
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Feels like it’ll never be over, Leslie!
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Martha it sounds like you have it under control and yes it is 7 years.
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Thanks, Michelle 💙
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