Special offer

Don't throw that away!!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Boerne Hill Country 550903

I came across a list of things of documents that you really should keep and for how long.  And I thought it would be great to share this with everyone.  We all know that the Papers just keep coming, in the mail, from your kids homework, life just generates paper. 

  • ATM Receipts should be kept until you record htem in your checkbook or if you are me on Quicken
  • Paid Utility Bills should be kept for 1 year, (when selling your home, sometimes the buyer will like to see a years worth of bills.
  • Bank Statements - 1 year.  Course you can pretty much download these from your bank nowadays.
  • Medical payment records - 1 year
  • Pay Stubs - 1 year
  • Cancelled checks that will pertain to your taxes i.e. alimony, charities, mortgage, savings etc. - 7 years
  • Credit Card Statements that have charges that are tax deductible - 7 years
  • Mortgage Interest - 7 years
  • Pay stubs that reflect additional tax deductions - 7 years
  • Home loan records - As long as you own the home
  • Insurance records - As long as you have the policy
  • Deeds, car title,s receipts for major purchases - as long as you have the item.
  • Birth Certificates, marriage license, insurance policy information - Forever in a fire proof box or safety deposit box.
  • Will, beneficiary documents - Forever in a fire proof box or safety deposit box.

Don't let the paper police catch you without backup. 

Posted by

Amy Boehm

The Boehm Team

Realtor, ABR, CRS, ALHS, CLHMS

Keller Williams Realty

The Boehm Team Facebook Page   @boehmteam   Pinterest - The Boehm Team

 The Boehm Team Property Search

Search for properties

Clint Haynes
Peoples Home Equity, Inc. - Mount Juliet, TN
This is great information.  I'm going to print it and save it.  Thanks!
Jan 29, 2008 06:27 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes
We are usually so busy we forget to take care of these details...it will make our life easier if we spend time doing this.
Jan 29, 2008 06:33 AM
Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
Amy, sometimes it seems like there's so much paper coming at us daily, it's like trying to drink from a fire hose...
Jan 29, 2008 06:35 AM
Diane McDermott
Realtor®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market
Thanks Amy, I didn't know about the credit card receipts, thanks for the info!
Jan 29, 2008 06:38 AM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana
Good information unless you lost them like I did when Katrina flooded my house.
Jan 29, 2008 06:40 AM
Suzanne Gantner
Realty Texas - Round Rock, TX
GRI, E-Pro, SRES, SRS, ABR, CNE, REDS, CPS, WCS
Great info especially since it is tax time AGAIN....don't forget the gas receipts, car washes and repairs.  You can use those too.  Thanks 
Jan 29, 2008 06:49 AM
Tom Davis
Harrington ERA,DE Homes For Sale, $$ Save $$ Buy Today ! - Dover, DE
FREE Delaware Homes Search!, $$ Save $$ - Find Homes! Delaware Realtor

Lol about the comment "Drinking from a fire hose!" Sooo Soo Funny haha!  Yes great article since Tax Time Is Here...Let's all say it together now: "YAYYY!"

Tom Davis - Delaware Real Estate Agent - Active Rain Blogger with Delaware Home For Sale Realty

Jan 29, 2008 07:02 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

Hey Amy - thanks for compiling the "great" list. Just need to find a place for all these receipts and "paper". I keep hearing we are suppose to go paperless, ummmmmmmmm wonder when it is going to happen?????

Record keeping is very important, if only you can rememer where you put it (ha).

Jan 30, 2008 11:34 AM