Thanks, Stilly and McGrath. It's comforting to know that other people have the same problems at times.

I do wish they wouldn't send me so much stuff that I don't really need. Sending it via e-mail saves time and paper, but it doesn't help with the problem of missing something important in the flood of info.

Over the years I have read a lot of investment advice, but rarely does anybody explain the need for certain records. As an example, I can cite a lawyer I knew who bought a mutual fund while in college. Dividends and capital gains were reinvested for years, and he never kept the records. Then at about age 35 he wanted to sell it. Nobody could help him figure his costs.

I'm posting this at tax time because it's on my mind and because I hope catters will tell their families.