Receipts: Love Them or Hate Them, Here’s How to Keep Them

Ah, receipts. Those little pieces of paper that somehow multiply in your purse, car console, or random kitchen drawer. You either love them (because hello, tax write-offs!) or hate them (because they crumple, fade, and vanish right when you need them most).

But here’s the truth: receipts are like breadcrumbs leading you back to your money trail. Without them, it’s way too easy to miss deductions, lose track of spending, or panic when tax season comes knocking.

So how do you keep receipts without losing your mind? Let’s break it down.

1. Go Digital, Friend

The best way to keep a receipt is to not keep it at all — at least not in paper form. Snap a quick photo and upload it to your bookkeeping software, cloud storage, or even a dedicated receipts app. Bonus: no more mystery piles of faded thermal paper.

2. Have a “Receipt Drop Zone”

If you’re more of a “throw it in a box” person, make it official. Keep a folder, envelope, or basket labeled “Receipts.” At the end of each week, transfer them to digital storage or hand them off to your bookkeeper. Organized chaos is still better than chaos-chaos.

3. Separate Business from Personal

Using your personal card for business purchases? We’ve all been there. Just make sure those receipts get flagged as business-related so you can track them properly. (Or better yet, stick to a business card and make life easier for future you.)

4. Set a Weekly Receipt Date

Schedule a quick “receipt review” date with yourself — 10 minutes tops. Coffee in one hand, phone in the other, scan or upload everything from the week. Done. Future you (and your tax preparer) will want to hug you.

5. Outsource the Headache

Hate dealing with receipts altogether? That’s what pros are for. A bookkeeper can set up a system where you just snap and send, and the rest is taken care of. Zero stress, zero clutter.

Final Takeaway

Receipts might not be glamorous, but they are powerful. Keep them in order, and you’ll unlock deductions, track spending like a pro, and save yourself major headaches later.

So whether you’re Team “Love Them” or Team “Hate Them,” one thing’s for sure: your receipts deserve better than the bottom of your bag.

💡 Pro Tip: Pick one system — digital, drop zone, or weekly routine — and stick to it. Consistency beats perfection every time.