The only way to keep paper under control is to let go of anything that is not needed or you will not use.  If you’re not sure if you’ll use it, think about your habits and if you’ve used something in the past.  Like coupons for example, if you have never used a coupon then why are you keeping the ValPak each week?   Every situation is different, so confirm with your accountant regarding your vital or tax papers, but here is a general list of paper you can let go of:

• Toss ATM, bank deposit slips and receipts for everyday and minor purchases after you’ve checked them against your bank statement. 
• Product solicitations for things you aren’t ready to buy.
• Old magazines, books, and articles you haven’t referred to in the last twelve months.
• Old research materials and literature.
• Duplicates of documents.
• Previous drafts of letters and proposals.
• Information you already know.
• Business stationery you no longer use.  (Keep one or two sheets in a history file and toss the rest.)
• Early drafts of creative writing (unless you really do refer back to them).
• Newspapers.  If they are more than a week old, they are ancient history.
• Junk mail.
• Expired coupons.
• Coupons you won’t use.
• Outdated schedules or planners.
• Old greeting cards (unless they contain a very special message, select your absolute favorites).
• Invitations to past events.
• Expired warranties and service contracts.
• Instructions for items you no longer own.
• Expired insurance policies.
• Investment and banking brochures that are available online.
• Business cards from people whose names you don’t recognize.
• Old tourist brochures from past vacations.
• Road maps you haven’t referred to in ten years.
• Solicitations from charities you don’t intend to give to.
• Recipes you haven’t tried in three years.
• College notebooks and textbooks.  (If you can’t part with them all, keep a box of your best papers and reports and let the rest go.)

*  A Red Bench is not responsible to lost, misplaced or discarded information.   

Want some additional help managing your client’s paper piles?  Attend Helping Clients Manage the Paper Crisis, attend our next teleclass on January 27th.  There is still time to Register!