Shredding

As you all know, we are in the middle of tax season.  If you are anything like me, you filed your taxes in January and your refund is long gone.  I know we spend ours pretty quickly.  Looking back, I should have saved some, and maybe I wouldn't be where I am now, trying to figure out how I am going to pay my bills. 

Did you know that during this time of year, identity theft is pretty common?  There are steps you can take to help protect yourself.  For instance, you can:

·         Update personal computers with firewalls and security software, including antivirus programs.

·         Contact the IRS (800-829-1040) if you do not receive W-2 forms and other sensitive information by February 15, as this may indicate that an identity thief intercepted such documents.

·         Send tax returns from a locked mailbox/post office to ensure thieves cannot get to it before the postal service.

·         If sending in tax forms via post mail, make sure all forms, identification documents and enclosed checks are not visible from the outside. Try wrapping everything in an extra sheet of paper to disguise its contents.

·         Keep tax paperwork and other documents in a safe and accessible place, such as a fireproof box.

·         After filing taxes, shred any backup documents with a Cross-Cut paper shredder, like Fellowes’ P-12C, which is essential because it shreds a single sheet of paper into hundreds of tiny particles to ensure confidential information is destroyed beyond recognition.

I was sent a Fellowes P-12C shredder to try out for myself, and I love it.  I have been doing some decluttering of my life, and being able to shred the things I no longer want has been a blessing.  I have been shredding old files and pictures that I no longer want.   The shredder is so simple to use, too.  It can shred not only papers, but CD's and credit cards.  I like that it has a feature that stops the shredding if your hands or animals come too close.  Safety features are important, no matter what you are using.  

I plan on using the shredded papers to pack us for our upcoming move.  My mom did this when she moved, and she said the shreds work great between dishes.   I have lots of dishes, so I guess I need to find lots of things to shred.  

I don't think that is going to be a problem.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Mom Central Consulting blog tour on behalf of Fellowes. I received a Fellowes paper shredder to facilitate my review.”