Spring Cleaning for Your Paperwork
It is spring cleaning time, time to scrub up and open the house to get rid of winter's gloom. While you are cleaning, don't forget to give your personal papers a going-over, too.
Your first step, if you have not already done so, is to gather all your personal papers together in safe place, like a filing cabinet or storage boxes in a closet. You probably should use a safe or safe-deposit box to store some things, like your will, the deed to your house, the title to your car, citizenship or naturalization papers, etc. But keep copies of these documents at home with other personal papers, such as canceled checks and bank statements, copies of your tax returns, insurance coverage information, receipts and warranty information on major purchases, etc.
Put this paperwork in clearly marked file folders or binders. Then go through these files at least once a year. Update them with new information where applicable, and remove and shred outdated information. Finally, make sure you tell a trusted friend or family member where to find these papers, in case something happens to you.
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