money guidance and how to get rich_313

_{Take a deep breath. There are a lot of things you should keep track of.}

_{Ideally, you might get a fireproof box to store them in, or perhaps a safe}

_{deposit box at your bank for some of them. You might also consider making}

_{a set of copies of them and storing them at a family member or friend's}

_{home. That way, if something happens to your home, you'll have these}

_{important papers. Here are the kinds of things you'll want to keep:}

_{• Real estate paperwork. This includes mortgage papers, the deed/title}

_{to your home, and records of any major capital improvements or repairs}

_{to your home.}

_{• An inventory of your valuable possessions. Go through your home}

_{and make a list of all your furniture, jewelry, electronics, and more.}

_{Jot down what you paid for them and keep any receipts for them}

_{that you may have. Better still, consider taking photos or a videotape}

_{of these items, too. These will all prove invaluable should you}

_{have to fill out insurance papers after a fire or burglary.}

_{• Tax papers. Keep copies of your tax returns for the past several years}

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_{— ideally you might keep copies for every year that you file. They}

_{may prove useful or at least interesting one day. Hang on to supporting}

_{documentation for three to seven years, as well.}

_{• Insurance policies that are still active. (You needn't keep records}

_{of expired policies.)}

_{• Investment records — keep statements from your broker, and trade}

_{confirmations, too.}

_{Remember that some of your financial records might reside on your}

_{computer, such as in Quicken files or spreadsheets. If this is the case,}

_{you should back up that data regularly, and perhaps keep a copy of}

_{the data on a disk in another location.}