Digital copies are easy to search and share, and they survive a flood or fire if backed up. Some originals still matter, so scan copies without throwing those away.
A simple system
- Use a phone scanning app or a scanner; save as PDF
- Name files the same way: year-month, category, description
- Use a few folders: Identity, Home, Money, Taxes, Insurance, Health, Legal
- Back up to two places, such as a cloud account and an external drive
Keep the paper originals of
- Vital records, deeds, titles and anything with a raised seal
- Wills and other signed legal documents
- Anything an agency says must be the original
General educational information, not legal or tax advice. Dime Keepers isn't paid by any storage, shredding, safe or cloud company.