Last summer I had to find a new place to rent. I was evicted as my landlord wanted to move into the apartment I happily rented from him for the past five or six years. I was upset at this change of circumstance, but likely not as upset as the landlord’s now ex-wife.

So what does this significant event in the lives of several people have to do with my current financial life? A lot, it turns out, as I am now devoting time to a financial scavenger hunt that stems back to last summer.
Immediately, following the move I filed the usual change of address with all the good folks who employ me, take care of my money or sell me services.

Guess I missed a few.

The deadline to file income tax returns with the Federal Government is a little more than a month away. Missing in action are a number of important tax-related bits of paper ranging from a statement listing how much interest
(taxable) my meager savings earned to those valuable tax receipts for the odd charitable donation (tax deductible).

By now, we should have paper for all tax related activities including T4 slips from our employers, along with receipts for RRSP contributions, charitable and political donations.

Review your financial activities from the past year to ensure you have all the necessary bits of paper. If not, join me on the annual financial scavenger hunt contacting banks, employers and “do-good” agencies for those missing receipts. At least in my case, this hunt ensures that my “change of address” list will finally be completed.

-Jack