If you’re getting ready to move, you’re probably sorting through clothes, dishes, and half-used bottles in the back of the pantry. But there’s one category that often gets overlooked: the overflowing paper files tucked in drawers, boxes, and filing cabinets.
From old bank statements to outdated tax returns, most people keep far more paper than they need. And when it comes time to move, that paper clutter becomes one more box to carry — or lose. Moving gives you the perfect opportunity to let go of what you don’t need, digitize what matters, and upgrade to a system that’s not only lighter, but more secure.
Here’s why ditching your paper files before you move is one of the smartest decisions you can make — and how Trustworthy’s Family Operating System® offers a far safer, smarter way to manage your important documents.
Start With a Quick Sort
Don’t overthink it at first — just get everything out in front of you. The goal is to quickly separate what’s clearly outdated or unnecessary from what may still be useful.
You’ll likely come across:
Tax documents (some of which you may no longer need).
Financial and insurance statements.
Legal forms like wills or property records.
Old receipts and pay stubs.
Medical and school records.
As you sort, divide documents into four groups:
Toss: unneeded and non-sensitive (safe to recycle).
Shred: unneeded but sensitive (requires shredding).
Scan and shred: important, but fine to keep digitally only.
Scan and keep: important and must retain the original (e.g., birth certificates, notarized wills).
Digitize What Matters — and Leave Paper Behind
Most of what people hang on to out of habit can be safely scanned and stored digitally. And with Trustworthy, that doesn’t mean hours of renaming files or setting up folders. You can:
Scan documents directly from your phone to your Trustworthy account.
Forward files from email — or let Trustworthy automatically transfer documents from your email to your Trustworthy account.
Let Trustworthy suggest file names and categories, and extract important information from each document.
Rely on Trustworthy’s automatic reminders of expiration dates and renewals.
This isn’t just about convenience — it’s about control and security. Paper files can be lost, damaged, or stolen. With Trustworthy, your information is encrypted, backed up, and available on the go — no matter where you are or what device you’re using.
Once your files are digitized and safely stored, you can shred the paper versions you no longer need.
Be Smart About Shredding
If a document contains sensitive personal information — like your name, address, account numbers, or Social Security number — shred it rather than toss it in the trash. That includes things like:
Old bills and bank statements.
Outdated insurance policies.
Pay stubs and employment paperwork.
Junk mail with identifying information.
You don’t have to shred every sheet yourself — many office supply stores and moving companies offer secure shredding by the box. Watch for free shredding events in your community as well.
Keep a Few Originals, But Back Them Up Too
Some documents still need to live in physical form, even in a digital world. Think:
Birth and marriage certificates.
Social Security cards.
Passports.
Notarized legal documents.
Vehicle titles or property deeds (depending on your state).
Keep these in a fireproof, secure place — and scan them into Trustworthy anyway. That way, even if the originals are lost or inaccessible, you’ll still have a digital version at your fingertips.
Stay Organized After the Move
The best part about going digital during a move? You’re setting yourself up to stay organized long after the boxes are unpacked.
With Trustworthy, you don’t have to build a system — it’s already built in. You’ll get:
Best-in-class security with tokenization, multi-factor authentication, threat detection, biometric support, data encryption, and stolen-password alerts.
Automatic document tracking, so you never miss a renewal or expiration.
Private, searchable storage, accessible on your phone, laptop, or tablet.
Custom sharing controls, so you can give family members or advisors access to exactly what they need — and nothing more.
In other words: No more mystery folders. No more frantic searching. Just calm, reliable access to everything that matters.
A Lighter, Safer Way to Move
Your filing cabinet doesn’t need to make the move with you. By scanning and securely storing your important documents in Trustworthy, you’ll lighten your load, protect your information, and walk into your new home feeling more organized than ever.
We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to email us with any questions, comments, or suggestions for future article topics.
Trustworthy is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.
