Permanent files

Keep very important documents in a permanent file. This should be a small, portable, fire-proof safe. Something you can pick up and carry in an emergency, and that won't be destroyed in a flood or fire.

In this file, keep

• Passports
• Certificates - Marriage, divorce, death
• Wills, powers of attorney, life insurance policies. Don't keep expired or superseded copies.
• Savings bonds, stock certificates
• Social security cards
• Deeds, mortgage agreements and other closing documents
• Documentation of major improvements to your home. You may want these for tax purposes.
• And any other documents of this importance
• Some cash - if you are evacuated or in a major disaster, checks and credit cards might not be accepted (I was in the Northridge Earthquake January 17, 1994, 4:31 am, and for the first two days local business had no phone lines so they could not accept credit cards)
• A few important pictures of family - if you are in a disaster you want to make sure you have some photos

• Tax documentation for the previous 7-10 years
• Records of all improvements, additions, and alterations to your home - these may help on your taxes in the future
• Children's report cards, school and college records
• Photographs of trips, weddings, and other important memories
• Cards, letters, pictures made by children, etc.
• Important gifts from relatives which you no longer want displayed but have sentimental value
• Other items you want to be able to know where they are, and to remove in a hurry if needed

The important thing, is that you want to be able to find these things easily, and they should be protected from disasters like fire, flood, tornado or hurricane.

More finance tips

• Permanent files What to store in your permanent file.
• Safe Deposit Box What to store in, and how to get, a safe deposit box.
• Filing Checklist How to develop a filing system, either to start a new one or improve your existing one.
• Other Files What to else to keep in files.
• Budget Keeping a budget.
• Medical Records What to keep, and what to do with medical records.
• Home Inventory Creating and maintaining a home inventory file.
• Car Purchases The most efficient use of your money when purchasing a car.
• Phone Book An organized personal phone book file system.
• Keeping Records Where to keep records.
• A home office Setting up a home office.
• Home Office Running a business from home.
• Banking Banking, savings, checking, and other bank accounts.
• Balance the checkbook How to balance a checkbook.
• Interest What interest can do for you or to you.
• Bad checks How much a bounced check really costs.
• Tax refund What to do about tax refunds, how to calculate what to have taken out for taxes during the year.
• Pay off debt How to get out of and stay out of debt.
• Cutting Expenses Ideas for reducing expenses as much as possible.
• Investing Making wise investments.
• Credit Cards Making wise use of credit cards.
• Debit Cards How to use debit cards.
• Finances and records Getting started with your finances and records.

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