Get organized

Today's Assignment

Choose a method of organization that works for you and tackle that stack of important papers

Don't know what to keep? How long to keep them? Here are some tips:

Automobile records (titles, registration, repairs)—As long as you own the vehicle(s)
Appointment books—1 to 10 years, depending on your comfort level
ATM slips—Maximum six years if needed for tax purposes
Bank statements—Maximum six years if needed for tax purposes
Credit card statements—Maximum six years if tax-related purchases on statements; otherwise, until annual interest statement is issued by company
Calendars (past)—According to your comfort level and whether you use them for reference or memorabilia
Catalogs and magazines—Until the next issueDividend payment records—Until an annual statement is supplied by company, then just only annual statements
Household inventory and appraisal—As long as currentInsurance policies (auto, homeowners, liability)—As long as the statute of limitations runs in the event of late claims
Insurance policies (disability, medical, life, personal property, umbrella)—As long as you own itInvestments (purchase records)—As long as you own them
Investments (sales records)—Maximum six years for tax purposes
Mortgage or loan discharge—As long as you own, or six years after discharge
Appliances—As long as you own the itemArt, antiques, collectibles—As long as you own the item
Clothing—For the length of the returns period, unless tracking your household budget
Credit card slips—Until your statement comes and you can match purchasesFurniture—As long as you own the item in case repair is needed
Home improvements—As long as you own your home, or six years after sale
Household repairs—For life of warranty, or longer to reference reliability record of service people and their rates
Major purchases—For the life of the itemMedical and tax-related—Maximum of six years
Rent—Your canceled check is sufficient
Utility bills—Your current bill and one previous year's to check billing patterns
Warranties and instructions—For the life of warranty or the item. Stick label with warranty expiration date and service repair number on bottom of appliance. If something breaks down, you've got an easy way to check if the item's still covered without even having to go to your file drawer.
Résumé—As long as it's current
Safe Deposit Box key and inventory—As long as it's current
Tax records (bank statements and canceled checks, certificates of deposit, contracts, charitable contributions, credit statements, income tax returns, lease and loan agreements, loan payment books, pension plan records, pay stubs)—The current year, plus six prior years
Vital Records (Adoption papers, birth & death certificates, citizenship papers, copyrights/patents, marriage certificate, divorce decree, letter of "Last Instructions" to executor or heirs, medical illness and vaccination records, passports, Power of Attorney, Social Security records, Wills)—Permanently