Regarding not keeping paperwork, I for one do. When purchasing a new appliance, I make a photocopy or scanned copy (better choice for back-up) of the receipt (often the original ink fades) and staple both to the back cover of my instruction manual--which gets placed in a zip-lock bag. I have several zip-lock bags around the house (e.g. kitchen cupboard, basement walls) where I put instruction/service manuals/receipts according to location. The one in the cupboard is just placed on the shelf; while the ones on the basement walls are hung with binder clips for convenient retrieval (service technicians appreciate that, too). My kitchen cupboard bag has the manuals/receipts for my range, refrigerator, microwave, popcorn popper, et cetera (etc.); while the basement bags contain manuals for the clothes washer, clothes dryer, furnace, humidifier, water softener, et cetera. In addition, very soon after the purchase, I record the model identification and serial identification either in the spaces provided or on the back cover of the manual. For insurance purposes, I take photographs of the appliances and record their identifications electronically (as a back-up).
Once a person puts a system in place it is easy to maintain. Putting a system in place is a great job for a rainy day, snowy day, heat index day, or taking a break from the computer, Xbox, or TV!
