So much for keeping old tax related documents there, I guess. Will have to keep the paper in garage. What ever I can save on CD is stored on a CD by year, including a PDF of tax returns.

If you put your stuff in a hard plastic and airtight container it might last a few years. Eg our Cmas decorations have made it for several now. But, if you just stick stuff up there unprotected, don't forget it's as much the humidity as the heat ... the combination is not good.

in general, if you don't really need it, the attic is only a last resort for stuff you truly need.