Dumb question: how to protect my info before taking my MB in for service??

Ok, so I know this is probably a really basic question but I just don't know how to do this. I need to take my MB in for repair because the microphone is wonky but before I do that I want to make sure that certain folders or files (ex. bank statements etc.) are protected from prying eyes. I've never had to take in any of my Macs for repair so I've never had to deal with this issue before. I tried looking under help but I couldn't really find what I was looking for.
I don't have any separate users set up as I'm the only one to use the MB. The only password I have set up is the admin password. I tried locking the folder(s)in question but as I am the only user on the MB, it's no problem to unlock the folder once you know the admin password and I assume when I take it in for service that I need to provide the admin password, right?
Can someone please walk me through the steps to best protect my personal information?
Thanks!

Backup your sensitive data to an external drive then delete it from the computer's hard drive. After you get the computer repaired you can restore your data from the backup.
Or, create an encrypted disc image using a different password. Store your sensitive data in the disc image and delete the copies on the hard drive. Put the encrypted disc image on an external hard drive or if it isn't too large burn it to a DVD.
Or, get third-party encrypting software that will let you encrypt a file or folder on your hard drive or store the data in a protected datafile - VersionTracker or MacUpdate.

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