Tips for Storing Documents

Tips for Storing Documents, a pile of documents

Is your office, closet, or basement being taken over by documents? If you were to need a specific document in a pinch, would you know where to look for it? Documents can easily pile up and get out of control, but having a system and a dedicated space for them can help drastically. Check out these tips for storing documents to help make your life a little easier and less chaotic. 

First things first: what documents should you keep?

Types of documents to keep indefinitely:

  • Tax returns
  • Financial documents
  • Stock and bond certificates
  • Deeds
  • Auto titles
  • Insurance policies
  • Home records
  • Health records
  • Wills
  • Birth certificates
  • Death certificates
  • Adoption or custody records
  • Marriage licenses 

Types of documents to keep temporarily:

  • Paycheck stubs 
  • W-2, 1099, or other tax forms
  • Bills
  • Mortgage statements
  • Year-end statements from card companies 

Now that you know what to keep, it’s time to get into tips for storing documents:

1. Start by sorting

Start with categories such as household, work, school, etc. 

2. Get rid of documents you don’t need

Shred outdated or unnecessary documents that include personal information. 

3. Pack and label

Pack your documents (by category) into safe containers. We recommend fire-proof safes, but plastic containers can work if you need to go that route. Label your containers so you can find your documents later with ease. 

4. Store your containers in a safe place

Of course, we recommend storing your containers in a self storage unit so you know it’s taken care of. At Space Shop, we offer small units that are perfect for storing documents. Think of an extension of your closet, only you don’t have to worry about clutter or natural disasters that could affect your home. You can browse our locations and unit sizes here.

5. Organize your containers

Start with the documents you’ll need less often. If you’re storing in a storage unit or closet, place these containers off of the ground (to protect from potential natural disasters) in the back, then fill out your storage area by placing the most frequently-needed items closest to the door. 

Is it time to try out a storage unit for your documents? We’ve got you covered!

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