We all have piles of yet-to-be-filed papers and other sensitive documents around the house. While they might seem safe just sitting there until you file or shred them, those bits of paper could cause you quite a few headaches if any of them got into the wrong hands (or were seen by stray eyes).
To protect your finances, Social Security information, and other personal data, regularly shred documents that you don’t need to file and save. That includes old statements, outdated receipts, and anything else that could be used to steal your identity or harm your credit.
Buy a quality shredder. For added safety, your shredder should cut documents into small pieces rather than long strips.
Buy a document scanner. If you need to save specific documents, invest in a specialized scanner and store the information behind a password-protected spot on your computer or the cloud.