The 4 Categories of What to Keep as Reference
1. Identity & Legal
Documents that establish who you are:
Birth certificate
Passport
Social Security card
Marriage or divorce records
Name change documents
These are foundational and worth keeping accessible.
2. Financial & Tax
Documents tied to money and compliance:
Last 7 years of tax returns
Current-year financial records
Property deeds or titles
Insurance policies
Older financial paperwork is rarely needed beyond this window.
3. Medical
Documents that support continuity of care:
Vaccination records
Major diagnoses or procedures
Current insurance information
Stacks of old printouts are usually unnecessary.
4. Home
Documents related to the home you live in now:
Warranties for items you still own
Manuals you actually reference
Major repair or renovation records
If it doesn't support your current home, it likely doesn't need to stay.
Hey guys,
In this episode, we focus on the Organize step — the point where mental clutter turns into structure. Organizing isn't about making things look neat. It's about deciding where something belongs so your brain doesn't have to keep track of it.
Using principles from Getting Things Done, we walk through the core organizing categories and how each one reduces stress when used correctly.
If you want to go deeper and have support decluttering your home consistently, the year-long program is open. You can find all the details at declutteryourchaos.com.
✨Come home to yourself. ✨
Head to Cozy Earth and use my code DECLUTTER for 20% off and experience the softest sheets you can find: https://cozyearth.com/
Office Series: What's Coming Next
Ep. 339 — Cords and Tech How to identify mystery cords and old tech (including AI help) and release what no longer supports you.
Ep. 340 — Office Supplies and Computer Gear Reducing duplicates, containing supplies, and creating a setup that actually supports your work.
Ep. 341 — Overview of Getting Things Done by David Allen (for declutttering)
If this episode helped you, please leave a review or share it with someone who needs it.
Looking forward to seeing your progress in the free Facebook group. To join click below...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/declutteryourchaos/ Download my free decluttering planner here: https://declutteryourchaos.com/decluttering-planner
Let's connect: 📸 Instagram: @declutteryourchaos 🌐 Website: www.declutteryourchaos.com
🛑 Disclaimer:
I am not a licensed therapist, counselor, or mental health professional. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress or mental health concerns, please seek help from a qualified mental health provider for more helpful tips and updates.
Sponsored Content Disclosure: Some episodes include references to products I genuinely use and love. When I partner with a brand, I may receive compensation for sharing it here. I only talk about products I've personally chosen to bring into my own home and life, and I never recommend anything I wouldn't use myself.
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