Our Shred the Dead Files Event Was a Success!
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This Halloween, we opted to go for an event that may only be scary to grown ups: shredding dead files. We all know the feeling of overwhelm when you look into your office to see years worth of files everywhere. That is why we decided to host a free event for our clients so that they could shred their dead files and learn more about when to get rid of certain files. While we sorely missed one of our leaders, Daina Burness, our clients enjoyed the event. If you couldn’t make it, take a look at our tips below on shredding your dead files!
According to Time Shred, many people are unaware that someone can legally dig through their trash once it has been put out for pick up, which means that anyone has the legal right to go through your trash and find potentially sensitive information. This is why it is very important to shred your dead files once they are no longer of use to you. But how do you know which files are dead enough to shred? Many people believe that you should keep all of your documents for seven years, but this is not the case. Many dead files can be shredded sooner than seven years, so they don’t have to take up space in your home.
Files like credit card bills and utility bills can be shredded immediately after you pay them, as well as sales receipts, ATM receipts, and junk mail. After one year, you can shred your pay stubs, bank statements, and paid medical bills. Then, the seven year documents are tax records and other tax related documents. Expired documents like passwords, driver’s licenses, birth certificate copies and resumes can also be shredded. Below are some examples of dead files you should always shred.
- Birth certificate copies
- Documents containing maiden name - Driver’s licenses or items with a driver’s license number - Luggage tags - Education Records - Phone Messages - Canceled and voided checks - Travel itineraries - identification cards/badges - Bank statements - Phone Logs - Transcripts - ATM receipts - Papers with a Social Security number - Report cards - Tax forms -Documents containing names, addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses - Credit Cards (Expired) - Employee pay stubs - Medical and dental records - Credit reports and histories - Insurance Information - Items with a signature - Pre-approved credit card applications - Employment records - Documents containing passwords or PIN numbers - Documents relating to investments - Drafted Documents - Resumés or curriculum vitae - Expired passports and visas - Used airline tickets - Investment, stock and property transactions - Visitor Logs - Payroll Information - Receipts with checking account numbers - Credit and charge card bills, carbon copies, summaries and receipts - All Discarded Copier Copies - Legal documents - Internal Memos - Address labels from junk mail and magazines - Purchase Orders
There are also some documents that are never considered dead files that you should never shred, which include:
- Social Security cards - Marriage or divorce decrees - Birth certificates or adoption papers - Citizenship papers or passports - Death certificates of family members
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According to Time Shred, many people are unaware that someone can legally dig through their trash once it has been put out for pick up, which means that anyone has the legal right to go through your trash and find potentially sensitive information. This is why it is very important to shred your dead files once they are no longer of use to you. But how do you know which files are dead enough to shred? Many people believe that you should keep all of your documents for seven years, but this is not the case. Many dead files can be shredded sooner than seven years, so they don’t have to take up space in your home.
Files like credit card bills and utility bills can be shredded immediately after you pay them, as well as sales receipts, ATM receipts, and junk mail. After one year, you can shred your pay stubs, bank statements, and paid medical bills. Then, the seven year documents are tax records and other tax related documents. Expired documents like passwords, driver’s licenses, birth certificate copies and resumes can also be shredded. Below are some examples of dead files you should always shred.
- Birth certificate copies
In addition to the rules listed in the CC&Rs, there are several documents that you should look for to ensure the homeowners association is in good shape. These CC&Rs include the HOA bylaws, board meeting minutes, and newsletters which can tell you if there are any building issues, insurance issues, upcoming construction, or unit problems. You will also find a demand statement, which informs you as to whether there are unpaid HOA fees or unresolved violations. Also in these CC&R HOA documents, you will find financial information such as statements and budgets. These are especially important to look at, because it gives you information on if the HOA is putting away enough money in its reserves for emergency repairs as well as paying monthly bills like a gardener, pool maintenance, pest control, and more. Also in the HOA documentation will be what is called a reserve study, which informs you as to how much money the homeowners association has in its reserves, or savings account. It is incredibly important to ensure there is money in reserves. This money would be used if there was a termite infestation, roofing problem, or any sort of larger repair. If there is not enough money in these reserves, the unit owners may have to split the costs of larger repairs for an additional fee. Also keep an eye out for an insurance master policy in the HOA documents, which tells you what the insurance covers. Depending on your location, it will be important to know if this covers earthquake or flood insurance, because if not, you should look into additional coverage. Overall, it is very important to take a careful look at CC&Rs and homeowners association rules and documentation when buying a property with a homeowners association.
Sources:
In addition to the rules listed in the CC&Rs, there are several documents that you should look for to ensure the homeowners association is in good shape. These CC&Rs include the HOA bylaws, board meeting minutes, and newsletters which can tell you if there are any building issues, insurance issues, upcoming construction, or unit problems. You will also find a demand statement, which informs you as to whether there are unpaid HOA fees or unresolved violations. Also in these CC&R HOA documents, you will find financial information such as statements and budgets. These are especially important to look at, because it gives you information on if the HOA is putting away enough money in its reserves for emergency repairs as well as paying monthly bills like a gardener, pool maintenance, pest control, and more.
Also in the HOA documentation will be what is called a reserve study, which informs you as to how much money the homeowners association has in its reserves, or savings account. It is incredibly important to ensure there is money in reserves. This money would be used if there was a termite infestation, roofing problem, or any sort of larger repair. If there is not enough money in these reserves, the unit owners may have to split the costs of larger repairs for an additional fee. Also keep an eye out for an insurance master policy in the HOA documents, which tells you what the insurance covers. Depending on your location, it will be important to know if this covers earthquake or flood insurance, because if not, you should look into additional coverage.
Overall, it is very important to take a careful look at CC&Rs and homeowners association rules and documentation when buying a property with a homeowners association.
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