Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: You can now pause 2 student loan payments. But should you? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on the coronavirus, why you should be the friend who talks about money, and how long you should keep your tax documents.

You Can Now Pause 2 Student Loan Payments, But Should You?
Is it really worth it?

SmartMoney podcast: Coronavirus edition
How the virus impacts your money.

Be the Friend Who Talks About Money
Tough conversations that are worth having.

How Long Should You Keep Your Tax Documents?
Make copies of everything.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should you move abroad for health care? Also in the news: What to do if you still haven’t received your tax documents, things to consider before opening another credit card, and why you should save 4% of your new home’s cost for repairs.

Should You Move Abroad for Health Care?
The cost difference can be dramatic.

Haven’t Got Your Tax Documents Yet? Here’s What to Do
The clock’s ticking.

4 things to consider before opening another credit card
The pros and cons.

You Should Save 4% of Your New Home’s Cost for Repairs
Protect yourself from unexpected costs.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do if you haven’t received your tax documents yet. Also in the news: Don’t let the great recession haunt your investing dreams, managing your money when your life brings change, and how to fix these IRA mistakes by April 15th.

Haven’t Got Your Tax Documents Yet? Here’s What to Do
Don’t get stalled on the road to April 15th.

Don’t Let the Great Recession Haunt Your Investing Dreams
Shake off that apprehension.

How to Manage Your Money When Life Brings Change
Adjusting your financial course.

Fix These IRA Mistakes by April 15
Avoid a penalty.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The average 401(k) balance by age. Also in the news: Taking the next step with your student loans, 3 money tasks to do right now, and what to do with all the tax documents you’re receiving.

The Average 401(k) Balance by Age
How do you match up?

Take the Next Step With Your Student Loans in 2019
Setting small goals.

3 Money Tasks You Need to Do Right Now
Starting the year off right.

What to Do With All the Tax Documents You’re Getting Right Now
What to keep and what to toss.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Finding your tax refund. Also in the news: How long you should keep your tax records, when to pay for ‘free’ shipping, and 7 steps towards financial literacy for your kids.

Where’s My Tax Refund?
Tracking down your refund.

How Long Should You Keep Your Tax Records?
What to keep and what to toss.

When to Pay for ‘Free’ Shipping
When “free” is worth the cost.

7 Steps Toward Financial Literacy For Your Children
It’s never too early for them to learn.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

401K Nest EggToday’s top story: Auditing your 401(k) plan. Also in the news: When you should buy both whole and term life insurance, the tax documents you should always keep, and how a balance transfer could help your credit score.

How Good Is Your 401(k) Plan?
This basic audit will tell you.

When to Consider Both Whole and Term Life Insurance
Why purchasing both may be best.

Tax Documents You Should Always Keep
What to keep and what to shred.

A Balance Transfer Can Help Your Credit Score
Understanding your credit utilization ratio.

6 Mistakes You Make When You Check Your Credit
Of course, not checking your credit would be the biggest mistake of all.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

returnToday’s top story: Should same-sex couples have their tax returns amended? Also in the news: What you need to do before buying a home, how long you should hang on to financial documents, and what to do if you can’t pay your taxes.

Same-Sex Spouses: Should You Amend Your Tax Returns?
Understanding the tax laws in states that recognize marriage equality.

5 Things You Should Always Do Before You Buy a Home
What you need to know before taking the leap.

How long to keep your tax documents
What to keep and what to throw away.

What to Do if You Can’t Pay Your Taxes
Not paying is not an option.

5 Handy Tips for Saving Cash on Your Grocery Bill
How not to leave your paycheck at the grocery store.

A whole lot of shredding going on

Paper shred fistTax season has begun, which means it’s time to start organizing paperwork–and purging files.

When I wrote “Easy Money” in 2007, I was this close to paperless nirvana. Our bills were paid automatically, most of our statements were electronic, and I looked forward to the day when my file cabinets would be so empty they would echo.

Something happened along the way. Paper started to creep back in as we opened new credit cards and financial accounts and failed to switch to paperless delivery. My old accountant retired, and my new accountant didn’t get the memo that we preferred everything to be electronic. Add to that all the paper that flows into your life when you have a child in school, and pretty soon my file cabinets were bulging.

A few days ago, I declared war. Thanks to my beloved ScanSnap scanner, 15-sheet cross-cut shredder and the Interwebs, we’re back on the road if not to a paper-free life, at least a paper-less life.

If you’re struggling with what to keep and what to purge, here are some important things to know:

The IRS accepts electronic records, such as downloaded bank statements and scans of receipts. A tax pro can guide you further, but there’s nothing special about a statement you receive in the mail versus one you download from a financial institution’s site (other than the fact that the mailed version can be more easily intercepted by an identity thief).

Your greatest risk of audit is in the three years after you file a tax return. The IRS can extend the audit period another three years if it suspects you under-reported your income significantly. So you’ll want to hang on to documentation for your 2013 return–the one that’s due April 15, 2014–until at least 2017 and probably until 2020. To make it easier to remember, I just subtract 7 from the current year (2014 minus 7 equals 2007) and know that I can shred the documentation for returns filed that year, and before. The tax return itself I keep (in the past as a physical document, but from now on as a scan or electronic document).

Banks and brokerages must make your statements available for at least six years. Many do so for longer (Schwab gives us access for 10 years). Credit card issuers vary, but the cards we use for business purposes–and thus would need to reference in an IRS audit–provide seven or more years’ worth of access. I shut off mail delivery of all our various retirement account statements as well. They’re online when I need them. While it’s important to keep track of the tax basis of your IRAs (any non-deductible contributions you made) to reduce your future tax bills, all your withdrawals from 401(k)s and similar plans will be taxable, so there’s no reason to hang on to the quarterly or annual statements.

There’s no point in keeping owners manuals. Almost all of them are available online…and I’m embarrassed to say I found a few manuals for electronics and appliances we no longer own. The other documents I was keeping in those files, such as receipts and warranties, can be scanned and the originals shredded.

Out with the old, in with the new. Interestingly, all of our insurers insist on sending paperwork. I scan the new policies when they arrive and then shred the previous year’s, along with any and all paid claims.

Backups are essential. I’m still astonished that some people don’t back up regularly. Our computers are backed up daily to external hard drives as well as to an online service.

How about you? Are you hanging on to paper when it’s time to let go?