This post originally appeared onLearnVest.
But this to-do is just as importantif not more sothan cleaning out your closet or tidying up the garage.
And, at some point, we all just need to buckle down and tackle it.
But successfully getting your money in order has as much to do withwhoyou are aswhatyou’re trying to do.
If this sounds like you, it’s time to get your hoarding tendencies under control.
On the one hand, kudos to you for being so vigilant about your personal financial information.
“They might miss important information.”
But if fraud is suspected, then the IRS has no time limits.
So consider keeping up to seven years' worth of paperworkor indefinitely if you want be extra careful.
And if the thought ofgetting rid of all that paperworkmakes you feel anxious, remember the 80/20 rule.
“So let companies do their job to retain your records.
Not to mention your wallet.
Instead, light a candle, put on music and pour yourself a glass of wine.
“If you love something, you’ll be more likely to use it,” she adds.
Berry also suggests treating yourself to a reward once you complete a money organization project.
“Plus, trying to complete it all perfectly can cause you needless stress.”
“My motto is ‘good enough is the new perfect.’
Life is too busy to become the Martha Stewart of financial organization,” Berry says.
“it’s crucial that you realize the consequences of avoidance,” Wild says.
“Your avoidance may have been shaped by your upbringing,” she explains.
“Perhaps you grew up in a chaotic household where money wasn’t managed well.”
Or your aversion could be fear-based.
As a result, you do nothing.
You may also want to enlist someone to help keep you accountable.
You may even want to hire a professional organizer.
“Aim for a short period of time, just 15 or 30 minutes,” Berry says.
Image adapted fromHomeStudio(Shutterstock).
Additional photos byJoel Bez,Hannah Sheffield,Images Money, andMitch Altman(Flickr).
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