Living & Trends March 13, 2023

Which Documents Should You Shred, and When?

As the spring cleaning bug hits, many of us will finally be tackling those stacks of paperwork that have been piling up throughout the year.  It’s tempting to chuck it all in the recycle bin and be done with it. However, did you know that it’s actually legal for someone to dig through your trash/recycling once it hits the curb? What’s more, seemingly innocuous documents—like junk mail—can actually contain sensitive info to help someone steal your identity. Scroll down for our list of what you should shred and when (pssst…you can bring it all to our free shredding event happening on Saturday, May 13th from 9am-2pm!).

Shred Immediately

  • Expired IDs & records: passports, driver’s licenses, old insurance cards, identification cards/badges, etc.
  • Utility and credit card bills that have been paid
  • Receipts not needed for tax deductions or warranties
  • ATM receipts
  • Resumes that are no longer needed
  • Junk mail credit card offers
  • Address labels from junk mail and magazines
  • Any unneeded documents containing your address, signature, social security number, PIN, passwords, account numbers, medical records, or other sensitive/private information you wouldn’t want publicly shared

Shred Within a Year

  • Paycheck stubs, once you’ve confirmed the info matches your W-2
  • Bank statements
  • Monthly/quarterly retirement statements (keep annual summaries until you retire or close the account)
  • Medical bills that have been paid

Shred After 6 Years

  • Records from home or condo sales

Shred After 7 Years

  • Tax returns
  • W-2 and 1099 forms
  • Mortgage interest statements
  • Property tax records
  • Statements, cancelled checks, and receipts used as documentation for tax deductions

Do NOT Shred – But Do Store Securely

Keep these items indefinitely in a locked filing cabinet/room, safe, or safe deposit box:

  • Social Security cards
  • Birth certificates
  • Adoption papers
  • Current passports or citizenship documentation
  • Marriage and divorce records
  • Death certificates of family members
  • Deeds & titles for property/automobiles for as long as you own them

 

Save the Date! Free Shredding Event on May 13th

 


While these tips are helpful, they can’t replace the advice of a tax professional. Consult an expert if you have questions.

Mercer island blog, windermere mercer island, windermere real estate, seattle blog, live on mercer, live on guides, community information, neighborhood information, real estate, mercer island community, mercer island community blog, mercer island blogger, mi reporter, mercer island real estate info,

© Copyright 2023, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island.

 

Community May 1, 2019

Free Recycle & Shred Event May 18th

Free Recycling Event Saturday, May 18th from 9am to 2pm

 

Hosted in our Parking Lot:

2737 77TH AVE SE
MERCER ISLAND

 


Bring your recyclable items (working or not) to the event. All recycling services are free!

We’re also sponsoring a Confidential Data Disposal truck for free, secure shredding of sensitive documents.

Saturday, May 18th
9 am – 2 pm


What we can recycle:

  • Most electronics, working or not, whole or in part
  • Scrap metal of any kind ferrous and non-ferrous
  • Appliances
  • Washers and dryers
  • Water heaters
  • Water coolers
  • Dishwashers
  • Small appliances, blenders, toasters, coffee makers, bread makers, kitchen wear, metal pots
  • Computers and computer Accessories
  • Flat Screen Computer monitors (no CRTs please)
  • Desktop PC Computers, Servers, Server racks
  • Laptop and Notebook Computers
  • Scanners and Copiers
  • Laser and Inkjet Printers
  • Fax Machines and All-In-One devices
  • Printer cartridges, toner cartridges
  • Computer speakers
  • Circuit Boards/Motherboards
  • Radios
  • Receivers
  • Speakers
  • CD Discs, DVD Discs, Media
  • Computer Parts
  • Desktop Computers
  • Keyboards
  • Laptops
  • Floppy Disks
  • Mixed Components
  • Modems
  • Multi Line Phones
  • Networking Hardware
  • PBX Systems
  • Phone Systems
  • PDA/Handheld Systems
  • Phone Answering Machines
  • Photo Copy Machines
  • Printer Parts
  • Printers
  • External Connectors
  • Fax Machines
  • Disk Drives
  • Batteries (not household alkaline batteries)
  • Larger Batteries/ Car Batteries
  • Dry Cell NiCad Batteries
  • Used Computer Items
  • Keyboards and mice
  • Backup UPS systems and UPS batteries
  • Cell Phone Batteries/ Laptop Batteries
  • Home Phones
  • Home Entertainment
  • Small Answering Machines
  • Stereo Equipment
  • DVD Players
  • VCR Players
  • Cellular Phones and Accessories
  • Used Paging Equipment
  • Cable TV Converter Equipment
  • CB’s
  • Chargers (cell phones)
  • Radio Equipment
  • Remote Control Handsets
  • Satellite TV Equipment
  • Scanners
  • Single Line Phones
  • Typewriters
  • Two Way Radios
  • VCR (Video Cassette Recorders)
  • Voicemail Systems
  • Video Cameras
  • Walkie Talkies
  • Wires and Connectors
  • Cables
  • Medical equipment
  • Vehicles
  • Motorbikes
  • Bicycles
  • Scooters
  • Tractors
  • Metal furniture, metal file cabinets, metal desks, metal shelving, metal window frame (please no glass)
  • Lawnmowers (please no gasoline)
  • Edgers
  • Generators
  • Metal patio furniture
  • Garden tools
  • Weed eaters
  • Metal containers
  • Books
  • Refrigerators

We cannot accept the following:

  • Wood furniture
  • CRT televisions (flat screens OK)
  • CRT monitors (flat screens OK)
  • Chemicals
  • Paint
  • Tires
  • Lightbulbs
  • Glass
  • Gasoline
  • Oil

Windermere Mercer Island, 2737 77th Ave SE Suite 100, Mercer Island, 98040

 


ABOUT WINDERMERE MERCER ISLAND

We earn the trust and loyalty of our brokers and clients by doing real estate exceptionally well. The leader in our market, we deliver client-focused service in an authentic, collaborative and transparent manner and with the unmatched knowledge and expertise that comes from decades of experience.

 

© Copyright 2019, Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island