In our File Box 3, we have filed our Social Security documents and retirement documents.

The third category holds our investment documents housed in file slots four and five of our accordion filing system.

With our U.S. Treasury Savings Bonds, cash accounts, financial accounts for adults, financial accounts for children, and beneficiary designations filed in slot four, I turn to the first set of paperwork placed in the fifth opening – our paid-in-full loan documents.

Paid-in-full Loan Documents

This post is not to address whether or not one should take out a loan. Doing what is best for your family may look different from your ideal.

If you have never taken out a loan, then you can skip this section. Paul and I both had loans which we paid back and keep the records within our filing system.

Education Loans

Paul and I both had education loans. I carried my loans into our marriage from my undergraduate degree as I did not incur any additional loans from my graduate work. Once those two promissory notes were paid, we kept the paid receipts received from the providers.

When Paul needed additional education, we took out a loan with an interest-free payment plan. In paying off the loan early, we did not incur any interest charges. We keep the documents associated with this loan in our file as long as the record remains in our credit file.

Personal Loans

Coming into our marriage, Paul and I both had a personal loan. My grandmother sold me a vehicle when I was in school which I did not need to repay until after college. I began paying her back without interest when I graduated until we paid it in full.

I kept her handwritten receipt. I’m so thankful for this note as my grandmother passed away a little over a year ago. I know I have her handwriting in cards, but this note was an official receipt showcasing her beautiful handwriting.

Paul’s personal loan was from his parents for my engagement and wedding rings which we paid back in one lump sum.

Though I do not need to keep these two personal loan documents, I do. They remind me of our hard work in focusing on our debt and paying back what we borrowed. I still remember the great feeling when we wrote those last checks and became debt free.

Keeping these documents in the order in which we paid, I paperclip them together and place them in the fifth file opening under the third category of investment documents. When money gets tight, I enjoy looking at these documents as a reminder of how God provided during our very lean years.

Weekly Project: Locate and file your paid-in-full loan documents.

Next week, we will complete the investment documents category with closed bank account letters. Keep making progress as you create spaces for your important documents. May you find encouragement as you file your paid-in-full loan documents. Happy organizing!

Question: Do you find encouragement from looking at your paid-in-full loan paperwork?