Which Paper Shredder?

[HalMd]

About one year ago I bought a cheap paper shredder and have made a habit out of using it. I actually sleep better knowing my mail is shredded.

Problem is, it didn't last very well. Can anyone recommend a particular shredder for home use?

Thanks.

[poundwise]

I have a GBC Shredmaster Guardian. It has held up well over the years. It is a cross-cut shredder, which I highly recommend. However, this particular model will not shred more than a couple of pages at a time. If you want to be able to shred credit cards, etc. then you'll need something more powerful.

At the least, I can state that the GBC brand has performed well for me.

[PRICEPLUS]

I'm too cheap. I use a scissors still!

[HalMd]

Time is money.

[PRICEPLUS]

No. Time is time. When I am relaxing while listening to music in my easy chair I cut up my mail. It is great fun and I do find it mindlessly relaxing!

[Bookie]

Originally Posted by PRICEPLUS

I'm too cheap. I use a scissors still!

I do the same thing. I even bought a great big pair of dedicated shears for the task. Frugal minds run in the same directions.

(Actually, also hate the racket paper shredders make, but that's me. )

.

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by Bookie

I do the same thing. I even bought a great big pair of dedicated shears for the task. Frugal minds run in the same directions.

(Actually, also hate the racket paper shredders make, but that's me. )

.

you could have fun w/ it and get the creative scrapbooking scissors, you know, the kind that cust scallops and swirls!

[project15]

I finally caved and bought a shredder tonight. I got a cheap NoviTech from Target and have been shredding for the past hour! It's so much fun, but I hope I don't accidently shredd something I may need

[jodi]

I used to shred my papers when I lived in the city - I bought a little cheap thing and regretted it. I have no input for a better one, sorry - but I do agree that it's worth it to spend a little more.
I was going to get a new one after I moved, until I remembered the wood burning furnace. Bye bye papers!

[tinapbeana]

i shred my stuff and then use it as firestarter. secure, and FREEEEEEEEE!!!

[bjl584]

I live in a rural area. I burn all of my private stuff. Fire seems to really do the trick!

[LuxLiving]

I too bought a less expensive model from Wal-dog. The brand name is Aurora. I bought it right before they came out with the cross-cut kind. This one is still going strong after about a few years. I used it for four and five hours at a time STRAIGHT for probably a week and a half when my F-I-L came to live with us and we were starting to eliminate some of his accumulations. The man had every paystub and every envelope and probably every piece of mail that had arrived since 1920's it seemed. I did A LOT of shredding with this model and it is still going fine so I can't yet justify spending to get the cross-cut kind, but BOY I SURE WOULD like to have one Santa!!

So, no brand to recommend really, this one seems okay (I have to clean out 'stuck stuff' alot)- but get yourself the cross-cut kind definitely!

[Paulina Ivonette]

GBC makes a synthetic oil for shredders. When the shredder speed slows down, you pour lightly some lubricant on a few sheets of paper on both sides and shred them. When I run out of this oil that I bought with my shredder

[GrimJack]

One hint - every couple hundred pages you shred, squirt a little 3-in-1 on one of the pages to lubricate the 'teeth'. No need to overdo it.

If you can. pay attention to its usability - my parents bought one that had the DC converter on the plug and it kept falling out of the wall outlet.

[bbtl2009]

Being frugal does not mean you have to sacrifice a lot of convenience and time. You have to evaluate things. I always look at how much I am worth per hour and then see if what is yields the best savings.

[snafu]

OP, you need only shred the section of bill, statement, correspondence that has a financial or investment account number, Social Security number, income tax details or private medical data that could impact negatively. No need to worry about address as anyone who wants your address has several avenues much easier than grabbing your trash/recycle bin.

In my opinion, this fear has become exaggerated. Do you know anyone whose trash has cost them identity theft? You are in much more danger from careless handling of documents by your bank, government agency, or phony ATM machines.