How to get rid of old checkbooks?
Asked by: Prof. Rusty Funk IV | Last update: February 20, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (71 votes)
To get rid of old checkbooks safely, shred them thoroughly (cross-cut is best), burn them safely, or use water/bleach to dissolve them, ensuring all personal data is destroyed to prevent fraud; contact your bank for disposal options or use professional shredding services if you have many. Never just throw them in the trash.
How do you dispose of old bank books?
Books cannot usually be recycled at kerbside along with other paper recycling because of the glue that's used to bind them. However, unwanted books can be recycled at some recycling centres. They can also be passed on to someone else or donated to a charity shop - find your nearest reuse and recycling location below.
Is it necessary to shred old checks?
While many banks have moved to digital formats for canceled checks, if you have physical copies or reprints from your bank, shred them. They contain a lot of personally identifiable information that could put you at risk. Stop those canceled checks from posing a risk by having them shredded.
How to destroy old checks without a shredder?
Bleach. If you don't have access to a shredder or shredding services, another option is to bleach your business checks. This is not to be confused with check washing, a method that fraudsters use to selectively remove information from your checks to commit fraud. In this case, you'll be destroying them entirely.
What do I do with expired checks?
However, some banks do accept checks older than six months. And some issuing banks will honor expired checks as well. That means if you find a stale check made out to you, contact your bank and the check-issuing bank and find out their policies.
CHECK it out! Destroying OR Repurposing old checks for Junk Journals
What to do with old uncashed checks?
What to do with uncashed checks you find?
- Deposit or cash them.
- Note any checks that could have tax consequences, like medical reimbursements. ...
- If checks are from a family member or friend, contact them before depositing to ensure they have sufficient funds in their account.
Will banks accept old checks?
Personal, business, and payroll checks are good for 6 months (180 days). Some businesses have “void after 90 days” pre-printed on their checks. Most banks will honor those checks for up to 180 days and the pre-printed language is meant to encourage people to deposit or cash a check sooner than later.
How to destroy an old checkbook?
Here are three simple options to choose from that will keep your financial data safe.
- 1) Shred them. The easiest and most efficient way to get rid of your checks is to shred them. ...
- 2) Burn them. ...
- 3) Use water to break them down.
How much does the UPS store charge for shredding?
The UPS Store shredding cost is typically around $1 per pound, though prices vary by location, with some stores charging slightly more (like $0.99 or $2/lb) or having minimum fees, often with volume discounts for larger amounts, and it's best to check with your local store for exact pricing. They partner with Iron Mountain for secure destruction, handling staples, clips, and folders, with results recycled into products like drink carriers.
Does anywhere do free shredding?
Yes, many organizations offer free paper shredding through community events, city-run programs, or specific drop-off centers, often sponsored by banks, credit unions, or local governments to help residents securely destroy sensitive documents and prevent identity theft. These events usually have limits (e.g., boxes per person) and are common around tax season, so check local government calendars, AARP's event finder, or search Yelp for "free shredding" in your city.
Why should you keep old checkbooks?
By the same logic, old checkbooks should be kept for at least 1 year/7 years with provisions. Checkbooks can help verify payments and resolve any financial disputes. Household bills, such as utility or credit card bills, and receipts for minor purchases generally only need to be kept until you deal with them.
What is the $10,000 bank rule?
The "$10,000 bank rule" refers to federal requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) for financial institutions to report cash transactions over $10,000 to the government via a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). This rule, enforced by the IRS, also requires businesses to file IRS Form 8300 for large cash payments to combat money laundering, tax evasion, and other crimes. It's a reporting threshold, not a limit, but attempting to avoid it by breaking up transactions (structuring) is illegal.
What paperwork can I throw away?
Documents you can toss after one year
- ATM receipts and bank deposit slips: And confirm that they match the information on your online accounts or monthly statements.
- Bank statements: Hold on to them until tax time and then keep for three years if they include tax-related expenses.
How do I get rid of a large amount of books?
To get rid of many books, sort them first, then choose to donate (libraries, schools, shelters, Little Free Libraries, Operation Paperback), sell (online, used bookstores, yard sale), or give away (local groups like Freecycle/Buy Nothing, friends) for a clear path, keeping in mind options like book swaps or repurposing for crafts/decor if disposal is needed.
How to get rid of old bank statements without a shredder?
To get rid of old bank statements without a shredder, you can soak them in water to create pulp, rip them into tiny pieces and dispose of them in different trash bags or times, or use professional shredding services at places like UPS, while burning (safely) or mixing with compost are other options for extra security or eco-friendliness. For maximum security, combine methods like tearing sensitive parts into confetti and soaking the rest, or add bleach to the water pulp to destroy ink.
How do I get rid of a lot of old books?
To get rid of lots of old books, donate them to charities (Goodwill, Salvation Army, local thrift stores), libraries, schools, or organizations like Better World Books; give them away using Freecycle.org or local Facebook groups; or sell them online via Amazon, PangoBooks (which sells books online), or in a yard sale, but always check with places first about their specific needs and donation policies.
Does the post office offer free shredding?
The USPS offers free document shredding only as a specialized service for business mailers who use their Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) for First-Class Mail, called Secure Destruction, to handle undeliverable mail; they do not offer general free shredding to the public at their post offices, though some local Post Offices have hosted one-off community shredding events in the past, often around Earth Day, partnered with other organizations. For personal shredding, you'll need to look for local community shred events or use paid services like The UPS Store or Iron Mountain.
What is the cheapest way to shred paper?
The cheapest way to shred paper depends on volume: for small amounts, free community shredding events or using a blender/water soak method are best, while for medium volumes, drop-off services (like FedEx/UPS Stores) at $1-$1.50/lb are economical, and for large or regular needs, purchasing a cheap personal shredder (under $50) or exploring corporate perks might be cheapest overall.
How do you destroy a large amount of paper?
To destroy large amounts of paper, the most secure and efficient method is professional shredding services, which offer on-site mobile or plant-based destruction and recycling. At home, you can soak paper in water to create an unreadable pulp, use a cross-cut shredder, or, with extreme caution, burn it in a safe container, checking local regulations first.
What is the best way to dispose of unwanted books?
The best way to get rid of old books depends on their condition: donate gently used ones to libraries, schools, charities (Goodwill, Salvation Army), or Little Free Libraries; sell valuable or popular titles online (PangoBooks, eBay) or to local used bookstores; or recycle damaged books by tearing off covers and placing pages in paper recycling bins. For large quantities, check for charity pickup services like Pickup Please, or offer them for free on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
What can I do with a check book?
A checkbook is comprised of a series of checks that can be used to make purchases, pay bills, or in any other situation that requires payment. With the advent of online commerce and banking, more people are making purchases and paying bills online, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for paper checkbooks.
What is the oldest a check can be and still be cashed?
You can usually cash a personal or business check up to six months (180 days) from the date written, but after that, it's considered "stale," and banks aren't obligated to accept it, though some might at their discretion; government checks (like tax refunds) are often good for a year, while some may have shorter limits. For best results, deposit checks as soon as possible, and for expired ones, contact the issuer for a replacement.
What is the $3000 rule in banking?
The "3000 bank rule" refers to U.S. Treasury regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requiring financial institutions to record specific information for certain transactions over $3,000, primarily to combat money laundering; this includes collecting details like customer ID, transaction amounts, and beneficiary info for wire transfers and purchases of monetary instruments (like money orders) with currency, with records kept for five years. It ensures banks verify identity and maintain records for large cash-based transactions or fund transfers, with different rules for purchases of instruments vs. electronic transfers.
Where do millionaires keep their money if banks only insure 250k?
Millionaires keep money above the FDIC limit by spreading it across multiple banks, using networks like IntraFi (CDARS/ICS) for insured deposits, diversifying into non-bank assets like stocks, bonds, real estate, and gold, or using private banks with wealth management, and even offshore accounts for secrecy/tax benefits. They focus on diversification and liquidity, not just bank insurance.
Do people still use checks in 2025?
Checks remain a trusted payment method, even in today's digital-first world. The Vericast Paper Check Usage and Sentiment Survey (May 2025) found that over half (53%) of respondents reported choosing to use a check despite having digital alternatives.