How to Pack Papers and Files

In a previous article, we talked about different types of moving boxes. For anyone with an office or study at home, moving can be particularly stressful—what types of records have you been keeping? Are they important enough to bring them with you to your new home? Are they important enough to destroy in case they fall into the wrong hands? Consider the following.

What Should I Shred?

• If you have sensitive documents with information like your name, birthday, account numbers, social security number, passwords, PINs, or signature, go ahead and shred them. This is often basic information that identity thieves can latch onto and use against you.
• Some people also like to destroy anything that might contain their address, email, or phone number. Although it’s less sensitive information, it could also be quite troubling and downright annoying if it fell into the wrong hands.

What Should I Keep?

• For the indefinite future, keep bank statements
• Insurance documents
• Pay stubs
• Medical records
• Mortgage documents
• Tax documents

Cross Cut Shredder or Strip Cut Shredder?

• Cross cut shredders definitely give you that extra bit of security because your sensitive documents are basically shredded into confetti.
• However, if you want to go with the greener option, keep in mind that these smaller pieces of confetti-like paper are a lot harder to recycle. Some centers do not accept them.

With whatever records that you have left and want to transport to your new home, organize them in files. Feel free to label the tabs and alphabetize them as you stack them in your file boxes. They will hang along the metal rim of the file boxes and be a great, easy way to sort between them.

Learn more about file boxes.