How long do you keep bank statements and other junk?

SHRED them, not she's them!!!!

Like you, threesugars we are planning a paper blitz. We've got bank statements going back more than five years and it is my intention to scan them onto my computer - when I have time, and then she's them. We are also knee deep in tax certificates, pay slips from both our former employments, utility bills and all sorts of other semi official detritus. Something has to give somewhere or it will be flowing out the door with me on top!

A word of caution here, I am an inveterate clearer outer but ran into problems when I made PPI claim. I had to produce information from 5 years previously and had a real struggle to find any. I did get compensation but it was tricky.

I always consult Martin Lewis when I have financial queries. In this case:

blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2013/08/12/dont-throw-bank-statements-away-after-six-years/

He doesn't answer individual queries but you can post your questions on his forum and get some expert advice from (seemingly) qualified followers.

I don't get bank statements now that my bank accounts are all paperless, everything is available to me online going back years.
I do get some bills/junk and I only keep them for one year then shred them. I can't see any point in keeping them any longer.