Shred Your Way to a Cleaner Apartment

Here's another to-do while prepping for your taxes: Take a close look at those boxes of old documents (tax returns, receipts, and more) that have cluttered up your apartment. Consider shredding your way to a cleaner, less cluttered space. Recommendations for IRS record-keeping vary for individuals but the minimum time to keep paperwork on hand in case of audit is from three to seven years for important documents like tax returns, W-2s and 1099s. Documents relating to a property sale need to be kept longer.

With the increased threats of identity theft, an at-home shredder is a must-have to dispose of those dead files, and importantly those with social security number or bank account numbers. And an in-home shredder is an effective way to de-clutter, too. The New York Times wonders if it's the new Spring cleaning essential. Or you can find a professional shredding service that will come directly to you.