topic Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts? in Credit Cards

How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

bichonmom — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:58:29 GMT

It's been so long since I had CCs that this was not an issue until recently. Now that I have more than one CC that I'm using, I'm trying to figure out the best way of keeping track of / filing my credit card receipts. (Not the statements -- all of the different store receipts)

I was going to staple all of the receipts to the matching CC statement. But then I thought, what if I need to find a receipt for a store... I won't know *which* credit card I used and it will be harder to find the receipt that way.

I'd love to hear what others are doing and how you "file" your receipts. Thanks!

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

webhopper — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:33:01 GMT

I'm not that organized... I toss them. I do save the work ones in a special part of my wallet cause I have to turn them in for reimbursements. There's no way I'm keeping CC receipts LOL I can't even balance my checkbook... i rely on the apps to tell me my balance. However i'm very good at saving money and doing my household budget.... Go figure.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

webhopper — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:33:38 GMT

I've always wondered how well the neat desk organizer worked... I could see value in using that at home to control my paper flood!

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:39:18 GMT

I have a very simple method but it helps me keep track of receipts for my cards. I use large binder clips that I labeled Freedom, BCE, etc. and everytime I come home I just clip the receipts for the day to the right one. Doing so keeps them in order as well. Each month when the statement cuts, I double check the receipts and then shred them. That way if I need to return something during the month the receipts are all there. For large purchases where I might need to file a claim down the road (e.g. laptop) I keep the receipt inside the box that came with it in my storage closet. Maybe not the flashiest way to do things but it works well for me!

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

webhopper — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:44:31 GMT

I keep my receipts needed for taxes in a brown manilla folder labeled TAX 2011.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Quips — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:21:57 GMT

I save my reciepts and check them against the CC statements online - when they post, I throw the receipts away - unless I need them for tax or warranty purposes, then I have envelopes for both.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

HikingFICOMountain — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:28:56 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
I've always wondered how well the neat desk organizer worked... I could see value in using that at home to control my paper flood!

I thought about that too. I want to be as paperless as possible.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Creditaddict — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:45:54 GMT

@HikingFICOMountain wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
I've always wondered how well the neat desk organizer worked... I could see value in using that at home to control my paper flood!
I thought about that too. I want to be as paperless as possible.

I'm terrible, I keep nothing! I shop at places that can find the receipt by swiping my credit card (Most Department Stores, Home Depot, Lowes, Target, etc. etc.)

Otherwise, just transactions into Quicken.

Now NeatReceipt (AMAZING!) They also offer (4) 0% Payments billed monthly to the credit card of your choice, Pay Shipping to get it sent, 30 days to review, then 4 payments.

Once I figured out scan in the highest quality possible and to scan directly into a PDF, then you can just move settings to be double sided or single sided. I created Folders, and you can do it as you scan too if you find you want something else.... I don't worry so much about the folders, I make sure that I save it with the best and sometimes longest file name because it will pop up as I start to search vs actually going into the folder and finding.

for example my stolen credit card:

Macy's American Express Fraud Jan. 2012

Macy's American Express Fraud Form

Macy's American Express Fraud Additional Info

Macy's American Express Fraud old Card

you get the idea!!!

Oh and scanning your credit card front and back has never been easier!! which is great especially if you have tons of cards or you do have fraud, then you can keep old and new numbers etc.

I scan a credit card statement when I open account and the credit card then I destory each addtional statement unless a change has accured on the account.

and if you get the big daddy Neat Receipt, if it's scanning many pages, it scans in seconds and then will just work in background putting it into that PDF, you can continue to scan and scan and it will just work in the background in order and not slow you down at all. and it has the scan on top and bottom, so it doesn't scan then pull back and scan other side or anything, it's one scan real fast!!

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

webhopper — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:50:42 GMT

@Creditaddict wrote:
@HikingFICOMountain wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
I've always wondered how well the neat desk organizer worked... I could see value in using that at home to control my paper flood!
I thought about that too. I want to be as paperless as possible.
I'm terrible, I keep nothing! I shop at places that can find the receipt by swiping my credit card (Most Department Stores, Home Depot, Lowes, Target, etc. etc.)
Otherwise, just transactions into Quicken.
Now NeatReceipt (AMAZING!) They also offer (4) 0% Payments billed monthly to the credit card of your choice, Pay Shipping to get it sent, 30 days to review, then 4 payments.
Once I figured out scan in the highest quality possible and to scan directly into a PDF, then you can just move settings to be double sided or single sided. I created Folders, and you can do it as you scan too if you find you want something else.... I don't worry so much about the folders, I make sure that I save it with the best and sometimes longest file name because it will pop up as I start to search vs actually going into the folder and finding.
for example my stolen credit card:
Macy's American Express Fraud Jan. 2012
Macy's American Express Fraud Form
Macy's American Express Fraud Additional Info
Macy's American Express Fraud old Card
you get the idea!!!

Oh and scanning your credit card front and back has never been easier!! which is great especially if you have tons of cards or you do have fraud, then you can keep old and new numbers etc.
I scan a credit card statement when I open account and the credit card then I destory each addtional statement unless a change has accured on the account.
and if you get the big daddy Neat Receipt, if it's scanning many pages, it scans in seconds and then will just work in background putting it into that PDF, you can continue to scan and scan and it will just work in the background in order and not slow you down at all. and it has the scan on top and bottom, so it doesn't scan then pull back and scan other side or anything, it's one scan real fast!!

Wow I like the sound of that... would be great for my tax forms and tax receipts... Also keeping track of important paperwork that comes in. Right now I just have a dedicated basket that important stuff goes in.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Creditaddict — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:56:41 GMT

It is a great thing for the paper haters!!!

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

heicos40t5 — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:01:57 GMT

I only keep merchandise receipts. Most of my CC expenses are dining, entertainment, etc..I dont even bother picking them up from the table, bar, etc. But when I do purchase merchandise, I normally keep the receipts for obvious reasons of return, warranty, etc. I am not a very organized guy so I keep it simple, envelope in my glove box of my car for all auto services, parts, etc. For bigger home purchases such as TV's, computers, appliances, etc - I normally tape the receipts underneath the item. For smaller, or more important items, I have a file labeled "Receipts" in my filing cabinet.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Brusilov — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:07:38 GMT

The only receipts I keep are for big purchases and I usually only retain them for maybe 30-60 days just to make sure the item isn't defective/etc. Past that you usually have to return to the manufacturer anyway so they're not that helpful to keep (at least for electronics type stuff).

Other than that I use Mint.com and pretty regularly review posted transactions there or on my CU site. I shred all my other receipts.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

injustifiiable — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:24:09 GMT

I have maybe 4 or 5 envelopes labeled Dining, Shopping, Bar Tabs, Starbucks, etc. along with the current month on it. I double check my statement with the receipts at the end of the month and then toss 'em.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

frogfan12 — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:07:14 GMT

I just shove them all in an envelope but I really want that Neat receipt scanner. Just don't wanna spend the $300 on it. Haha.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

laz98 — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:46:16 GMT

I don't keep mine. I'm terrible about that. I sure wish I had kept my Fossil one, because I couldn't get my darn watch fixed yesterday without it. Usually I pile them up throughout the week, & then toss them when it's trash day, just checking to make sure there's nothing important in there. But mostly I don't see the value in keeping any of them, so I don't.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

namvet — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:40:08 GMT

Been doing this for years. I keep all of my receipts cash or credit cards. At the end of the day all receipts go into a envelope. Those receipts have saved me a lot of research time. I keep them for as about as long as the IRS requires that tax returns be kept. If i choose to go from old school to new school anytime in the near future i will go with neat (maybe). The problem with management of receipts is it's a Daily routine not a monthly thing. Do it every day and No problem. Sort of like how you handle your finances with your business.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

clocktick — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:53:12 GMT

I can't stand paper all over the place. If I really have to, I keep large appliance-type receipts with their instructions in a filng cabinet. I also have a large brown "folder" that has each month of the year in it separated as well (it comes like this). Places like Macy's can e-mail your receipt. Most of my receipts do not need to be saved though (grocery, small purchases, etc.). My good friend has the receipt scanner and LOVES it.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:04:29 GMT

I think the trend will be merchants emailing reciepts, Apple does that and so does Micro Center I belive and also my work cafe (Note no tips here ) now has gone paperless and scans cards with an iPad and you can get your receipt emailed

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Open123 — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:50:42 GMT

I have them all imaged, dated, and filed under the merchant names on an external hard drive.

Re: How do you keep track of your CC receipts?

Revelate — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:58:53 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
I have them all imaged, dated, and filed under the merchant names on an external hard drive.

Do you do this for your personal expenses or just your business ones?

I guess I'm a slacker: I don't see any point to keeping my personal ones unless it's something I can deduct (which is few and far between for me these days).