Canadian Living – September 2019

NOTE: IF YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT WORKER, BUSINESS OWNER, OR OWNER OF REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES, SOME OF THIS INFORMATION
MAY VARY OR WILL FOLLOW MORE PRECISE GUIDELINES. TO FIND OUT MORE, CONSULT YOUR ACCOUNTANT OR LAWYER FOR ACCURATE
INFORMATION. SOURCES: FLO-ORGANISATION.COM

ORGANIZING-A-GO-GO...

5 Tips To Stay On Track

RESPECT THE

THEORY OF THREE

Are you plopping your paperwork on

the desk in the basement, a filing box

on the top shelf of a closet, or behind

the holiday decorations? There’s a good

chance you’ll never find them again,

and your bills will be all over the place.

Everything should be filed in three

steps or less.

TAKE YOUR TIME

Adopted four different filing systems

in an enthusiastic caffeine rush?

Bad idea! It’s better to structure the

tidal wave of papers one at a time,

and in a way that makes sense.

WORK AS A TEAM

To ensure the success of this system,

get the whole family involved. “Kids

can easily go get the mail and file the

envelopes and pamphlets received,”

says Houle Morency. “You can learn

to be a better organizer.”

PERSONALIZE

There’s no miracle solution for

all families. It’s a matter of trial

and adjustment.

TAKE ADVANTAGE

OF TECHNOLOGY

Many businesses recommend taking

photographs of your receipts, as some

of them are printed with ink that tends

to fade over the years. The Wave

Financial app, for example, is one

that can help you keep track of your

digital documents.

CANADIAN LIVING SEPTEMBER 2019 | 49

Home and car lease

or ownership

Receipt and warranty of

an appliance or anything

of great value

Credit card receipts

for major purchases

School bills and receipts

Specialty warranties

(for tires, anti-rust

treatments, etc.)

Life insurance policies,

home insurance policies,

civil liability policies (as

long as the policies are

valid, or you file for com-

pensation)

Contractor bills and

receipts

Term deposit certificates,

registered retirement

savings plans, investment

funds and savings bonds

Birth certificate,

baptismal certificate

Will

Judgement of

separation or divorce

Marriage, civil union or

common law certificate

Court orders, letters

of attorney

Diplomas, degrees,

education certificates

Health-care booklet

Passport

Death certificates of

close family members

Adoption certificate

Information on

retirement funds

WHILE

YOU

KEEP IT

HAVE IT

KEEP

IT

FOREVER

*Even if a notary has a duplicate of a document, there are usually

fees for obtaining an additional copy.