Saving receipts - a little organisation goes a long way

LAST Monday I logged on to my internet banking to check the overall damage I had caused after a typical weekend of wineries, football, kids sports and restaurants to get the shock of my life.

Leaping off the screen was a $174.20 debit for our stop at The Oyster Bar after the football the night before. Under normal circumstances (especially when living in Queensland and New South Wales) I wouldn't have batted an eyelid at seeing a restaurant EFTPOS transaction of this value. But in good old Adelaide its very cheap to go out for great meal - and I knew two dozen oysters, potato wedges and a drink each just didn't equate to a bill of this size.

Frantically, I dug through my wallet in what I thought would be a futile attempt to find the receipt. Against the odds, I kept the receipt and the EFTPOS transaction.

At that time I was both thanking my lucky stars and kicking myself at the same time.

Generally, I'm the person in line at the petrol station or restaurant who, when asked if I want a receipt, says no. And if I put my purchase on my credit card I NEVER check my statements. 

It was a valuable lesson. From here on in I'm keeping every receipt and checking every transaction.

And for more reasons on why holding on to receipts for extended periods of time is common sense check out this story http://www.news.com.au/money/money-matters/save-yourself-by-filing-receipts/story-e6frfmd9-1226625666517