A Safe Place For Important Papers

by FrugalBabe on October 17, 2007

I’ve mentioned before that I need to have backups of our important financial documents, and keep them in a safe.  This week, a new Staples opened near our house, and they were running an opening special that would give $30 off a $70 purchase.  So I went over there on Monday to get a safe.  I found a fire-proof safe that holds hanging folders, for $68.  I bought a ream of paper to get over $70, and ended up getting everything for $45 after tax. 

I came home and went through all our paperwork to sort out what needed to be in the safe.  My husband and I went through my final selections together, so he knows exactly what’s in there as well.  Our passports, birth certificates, ss cards, marriage license, car titles, mortgage info, warranty deed and security title for our home are all in the safe.  So are copies of our parents’ wills (we still need to make our own, haven’t done that yet) and photocopies of the fronts and backs of our credit cards.  I typed up a list of all our asset accounts, including contact info, passwords, and account numbers, and that’s in the safe as well.  So now instead of having all our important documents in a little plastic box in my desk and in my filing cabinet, we have them in a locked fire-proof safe, all in one place.   Feels much better.

No related posts.

  • Peggy

    Good job! This is something I definitely need to deal with too. I wanted to mention that I recently read that they recommend you put the items in the safe in plastic because while the safes are fireproof they are not waterproof. Also, don’t know if this is applicable in the state you live in but apparently in some states you can get a replacement drivers license online IF you know the number so you might want to copy yours and include those.

  • Dave

    I’ve always thought I had a little too much attention for being organised,in comparison to friends and relatives. But now I know there are more of us out there.
    I have also made a similar list of accounts recently. I’m still working out what the consequences will be if I would die suddenly, leaving my wife behind.
    I’ll look around and see if you have more useful tips, or just enjoy the feast of recognition.

  • Mary Ann Kimbler

    two things that you did not say that you put in the box that are needed to be there insurance policies life homeowners and car insurance a copy of your policy You will need all of these also in case of fire

Previous post:

Next post: