DOCUMENTS	Secure location, safe deposit box or locked fire safe	Semi-secure yet convenient location
FAMILY RECORDS
Marriage and divorce records	Original documents	Copies as needed
Birth and baptism records	Original documents	Duplicate Originals
Social security records	Original documents	Copies as needed
Military records	Original documents	Copies as needed
Pension and retirement documents	Original documents	Copies as needed
Will, power-of-attorney, trust documents	Original documents	Copies as needed
ASSETS
Property records (deeds, mortgage, title)	Original documents	Copies as needed
Auto papers (title, maintenance & major repairs)	Original documents	Copies as needed
Investments account documents	Original documents	Copies as needed
Bank and Savings account records	Original documents	Copies as needed
LIABALITIES
Loan & consumer accounts (docs, notices and statements)	Original documents	Copies as needed
Credit cards (records and extra cards) summarize list & phones	Original documents	Copies as needed
Tax records (records and tax planning notes)	Original documents	Copies as needed
RISK MANAGEMENT
Insurance - Property liability (homeowner's)	Original documents	Copies as needed
Insurance - Auto policies	Original documents	Original/dup in Auto
Insurance - Life policies	Original documents	Copies as needed
Insurance - Health (policy & receipts)	Original documents	Copies as needed
Insurance - Disability policies	Original documents	Copies as needed
MISCELLANEOUS
Budget and financial planning documents	Original documents	Copies as needed
Legal agreements	Original documents	Copies as needed
Important correspondence	Original documents	Copies as needed
Other important documents	Original documents	Copies as needed
Safe Deposit Records (records & duplicate key or combination)	---	Original documents

MINIMIZE - SUGGESTIONS TO STREAMLINE YOUR OTHER PAPERS

CREATE A MESSAGE SYSTEM - Designate one place in your home where a pencil and a notepad are always available. Post messages in the same place every time so household members know where to retrieve them. Keep a household address book near the phone to enter permanent information.

CREATE A MAIL STATION - Identify a centralized place for stamps, pens, envelopes, paper, and slots to sort inbound and outbound mail. Keeping supplies together will enable you to quickly find them when they are most needed.

AUTOMATE YOUR BILLS - Sign-up to make your payments online. You will continue receiving statements that can be easily filed without concern about their payment.

USE THE TRASH - Open inbound Mail over the trash. This gives you easy access to the best place for junk mail, outer envelopes, and other paper clutter.

FILE IT - Buy a filing cabinet and divide your important papers into categories. File you're important papers right after opening the mail. Things that need attention or action can be placed in the appropriate spot in the mail center.

CONTAIN YOUR MEMORIES - Create a place for paper memories. Youth artwork, birthday cards, and other memories need their own storage. Consider giving each family member a container to store memories. Once the container is full they can make choices about what to and not to keep.

EVALUATE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS - Evaluate any multiple magazine and news subscriptions that you never get around to reading? Keep only the subscriptions you read on a regular basis. Consider donating magazines to a seniors. center or shelter after you've read them.

CUT THE COUPONS - Clear out that drawer full of unused expired coupons. But if you cut them, use them. Keep the coupons in a regular spot so that they can be easily accessed for your trips to the store.

REGULATE COLLECTIONS REGULARLY - Update your files, tossing outdated information periodically (yearly) making room for the next year's flood of paperwork.

GET RID OF RECEIPT MANIA - Receipts kept for tax purposes can be filed under the appropriate heading. If you like to record all of your expenses, create a receipt "drop point" to hold them until your weekly time to review them.

The key to reducing the paper piles in your home is to lessen the flood of incoming paper, store the necessities and discard the rest.