Keep any tax-related records for seven years. Keep records of IRA contributions permanently. Keep quarterly retirement/savings plan statements until you receive an annual statement. If the numbers match, shred the quarterlies and keep the annual summaries permanently. Shred unimportant bank records after one year; keep the rest permanently. Keep brokerage statements until you sell the securities. Most of the time you can shred bills once you get a cancelled check. Keep bills for big items permanently. Keep credit card receipts to reconcile with your statements, then keep the statements for seven years. Paycheck stubs should be kept until you receive your end-of-year tax statements. Keep house records permanently. (Some can be held for less time, but I think it’s wise to keep them all.)