I have a tax preparer who sends me a hard copy of what she e-files on my behalf. I keep my tax returns, and DS's, in a file box labeled "tax returns." The "archival" box, a larger one, holds returns for most years. A thinner box holds them for the last two years, where they are easily retrievable if I need to check something. I will NEVER give up my hard copies of those. If you do put tax returns into electronic format, I highly recommend backing them up, particularly for the returns that the IRS could potentially audit.

My CPA financial planner not only emails me PDF copies but sends me hard copies AND she has everything on file. Between my copies and hers, I have no problem whatsoever getting rid of the hard copies.

What is the consensus of opinion on Steve job's iCloud? What problems might we consider with Google storage? Going back archival to work out tax on investments like flow thru shares can cost me big time if I make a mistake. A few months ago my assigned 'adviser' asked a question about charges a predecessor put on my account apparently incorrectly. It was fixed only because I produced the actual, initialed green sheet. Seems the giant financial organization can't find their own paperwork and were counting on me to do likewise.

I don't know what iCloud is, and maybe other GONers don't, either. Can you summarize it for us?

Scanned 5 years of daytimer pages today to have for my records.

I like scanning as a second or third copy of important things and an only copy of silly things.

For example: I scan the cards that I keep in my wallet so if they ever get stolen, I have everything together and can find it quickly. I scanned my marriage liscence, teaching liscence, etc. But I still keep them. But that really cute picture... I scan it an toss it

Raymond_Valerie, scanning a few important documents might be a good idea. I've heard one shouldn't keep too many critical ones on one's computer, in case it is hacked, etc.

For the cards you mentioned, I have made paper copies, which I keep in a special folder. It was a big help when my purse was stolen a couple of years ago. I could have gotten account numbers from my files, but in a couple of cases, the person I spoke to about getting a new card, alerting him/her to possible fraudulent charges pending, etc. wanted to know the little number on the front or back of the card (for example, such as the 3-digit code on the back of a credit card). I long ago memorized my Visa card number and code, but for some I used rarely, having the copies enabled me to give that info right away. Whenever I get a new card for anything now, such as a replacement, I immediately make a copy of the front and back. Even a library card is good to copy, because the library can integrate records from the old card with a new one.

I used to keep originals of marriage license, etc. in a safe-deposit box, and copies at home. The s.d. box got too expensive to keep, so I bought a fireproof, waterproof box, in which the most critical documents are stored.

I started scanning documents today.

I set up folders to move the documents to. I started renaming each document before I moved it. I decided to move them to the folder and go back and rename the newest documents at a later date. As I add more to the folder I can rename them by the ones.

I am tossing 119 pieces of paper

- 4 yrs of water/elec bill- saved 4 pieces since we want to see our usage only and they have 4 yrs of data
- 3 yrs of auto and umbrella dec pages and policy additions
- 2 yrs of life insurance premium pages

Frugal,Have you thought of creating a form that you could just transfer the useages/costs onto and then have it on your computer for quick reference. It could be updated each month that way.

BL- I had a 'duh' moment when I read your post. I have forms for so many other things like that, not sure why I never thought of it before. Thanks for the nudge.