Do people really not take their receipts? I bring them home, enter my purchases in Quicken, and then shred and recycle the receipts when I reconcile with my statement at the end of the month. I've caught quite a few mistakes, and would never just trust a store or bank to tell me how much I spent.

Good grief. I had no idea that the general population needed professional advice on how to take receipts out of a purse and put them into a file drawer. I am enlightened.

Hey, if you're a disorganized person, tips really do help.

I throw my receipts in a little wooden drawer built into my cell phone charging station. There's a trash can right under that, so all non-important receipts (dinner, the soda from the gas station, groceries) go in the trash and everything else gets hidden in the drawer. That way I'm not tempted to throw a pile out as "clutter."

Every month I go through and sort everything out into categories, and put those in a mini filing box. I really do want to start scanning them in, but that takes more work than I can deal with at the moment.

Recording everything in Quicken/etc is a fantastic level of commitment, but I can't even imagine doing that myself.

I don't think the apple is blurred out. It's a glowing white light that would get whited out in the glare of the bright afternoon light of the shoot. I can see the white apple dimly.

Regarding trusting big box stores to have all your info on file, a little too big brother for me.

i keep all receipts for a week - then throw them out after i've logged in my weekly expenses.

I do exactly what Britomart does. So glad to hear I am not the only one who does that.

And now for the anti-organizer's POV--I would never spend any significant time worrying about my receipts. If I pay with a debit or credit card for things, which I usually do, I have a record of what I spent, where and when on my monthly statements. I save receipts for big things or items I might end up returning (like clothes)--in a drawer or the pocket of an article of clothing until I make up my mind. But I admit to losing plenty of receipts.

To make this approach work, it is important to know how to sweet-talk sales people into taking returns without receipts, and I am a pro at that!

I used to save all of my receipts and organize them by month in envelopes. But then I realized there is almost no point to doing that, as I never needed to look at any of them again.

Now I just save
-my gas receipts (until I record my mileage, which is kind of pointless)
-any receipts from big purchases or things that have a warranty
-receipts of things I might want to return (usually no longer than a week)
-receipts from restaurants where I left a tip (until it is entered on my online bank account)

So the only receipts I keep long-term are the ones I might need for warranties, and I just paperclip those to the manual/warranty and keep those in a file.

Yep I also check receipts against the statement before tossing, especially returned item receipts. I like to keep my receipts in an attractive box rather than in one of those ugly plastic things though - gives me just one more excuse to decorate. Scanning seems like overkill to me; it's no problem to keep a few thin paper receipts for big ticket items. I just attach receipts to original warranty and keep in a box called warranties in the closet along with any user guides. But if I buy something online, instead of printing the receipt, I make a pdf of it and drag it into that year's receipt folder.

That was very good, Beth, Thank you! I'm not a heavy duty tracker of receipts but with home repairs et al I need to be more attentive. Current system is loose receipts in a basket -- no order whatsoever. Also, intend to help a friend organize receipts and invoices for his growing business. These common sense tips will help to reign in the order and keep tabs on expenditures (payables and receivables). Great ideas about archiving, too.

Does anyone use a scanner to build a digital filing system, and if so could you share your approach?

I'm intrigued by the scanners Beth mentions at the end of the presentation.

Check out https://www.shoeboxed.com you can send your receipts and they'll scan them for you.

I've never kept receipts until now, when I have a business of my own. So I needed to hear what's the smart way to go.

What Beth said about Target is true - they can pull up your previous purchases if you give them a credit card. However, if you've bought anything you're considering giving as a gift, don't decline the gift receipt! Target implemented a new policy this past year of not accepting returns without a receipt (or a purchase record they can pull up with your credit card) so if whatever gift you give needs to be returned for whatever reason, your recipient will be out of luck unless you go with them to the store.

Always take your grocery receipts. CHECK THEM. I worked in a grocery store for ten years, and items would sometimes not scan correctly.....and the customer would then get the item free.

Also, you may have to return something, and having a receipt will get you cash back, instead of store credit.

I do not file my receipts....they get thrown in a box on the fridge. But I've gotten very good in this economy about returning anything that I'm not happy with, rather than eat the cost.

I admit I have a receipt problem--I end up with them piled up. I finally went through several months of them last week. Now my system is to throw away things I don't need after reconciling them online every few days, keeping big item ones, gas receipts (I get a rebate every quarter), and medical receipts. I could never not take the receipt though--I'm too anal. I always check my grocery receipts, as ohjodi said. (Unless you're really dliligent at watching them scan). I end up getting free items and refunds pretty often--they must make tons of money off of unsuspecting customers!

I save my receipts in case I want to return something or get a refund for a shoddy product (not all that unusual.) I would like to scan my receipts for electronic storage , but most stores will only accept a return with the "original" receipt, i.e., the real thing. Any thoughts on making scanning work?

EWLawyer, trust me - I'm a Professional Organiser based in Melbourne, Australia - PLENTY of folk need a hand organising their receipts and paperwork. Beth's tips are great and will help anyone struggling to know where to start to take back control.

I too have long practiced the "thanks, I don't need the receipt". I've got better things to do with my time than sort unwanted stuff. Strangely, I also have the same purse as Beth and have a secret squirrel spot just for receipts. That purse is so damned skinny I am forced to clean it out every two days! Less is best!

There's a helpful book available calledSORTED! the ultimate guide to organizing your life - once and for all which in part feature 16 'recipes' showing you how to organise all kinds of paper. (I confess, I wrote it! B&N stock it for around $7, bargain!)

For a sample recipe, go to http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/p251914855_How-to-organise-your-paperwork.html This recipe is the perfect solution to help with decision making; after all, isn't that what organising is - "Do I need it? Where do I put it?".

Keep up the good work Beth!

I'm on a disability here. Occasionally I can be asked to see the ones for purchases over $50 so they can see where the money the govt gives is going...so I tend to keep them in a manilla envelope sitting on my desk beside the computer tower. Plus it helps remind me where all the money went if I forget to enter a purchase - just have to check the receipts. For my own preference, if I spend more than $20, I keep the receipt.

If you're a freelancer, independent contractor or self-employed, you need to save receipts.

Grocery receipts often give you a discount coupon, not that I always use them, but some people do. These receipts might be rarely needed for single adults buying 2 packs of ramen, but those with families might be wise to save them.

My ancient but useful Filofax has a handy envelope for receipts, so I fold 'em up, save 'em and do a bi-weekly check. Even though I don't use the calendar system, I still carry the leather binder in my messenger bag, and I'm glad I do.

I'm pretty low-maintenance about it. I have a little file folder that came premarked with the months. I just stick the receipt in the month's section. When I cycle around and get back to a month a year later, I flip through to make sure there's nothing I need to keep and then I toss the stack.

Organized in the rare instance I need to go back to refer to something, but extremely low time requirement.