CD's... CD's... Oh, yes, those things.

Quite honestly? Here's the life span of a CD in my household:

1) Purchase CD.
2) Open jewel case. (Cue Denis Leary "Can't get the frickin things open" routine.)
3) Place CD in CD-ROM drive.
4) Rip CD to MP3.
5) Place CD back in jewel case.
6) Toss CD in a cardboard box in the closet.

In fact, pre-empeg, I always kept CD's in a CD changer. I had a Sony 200 disc changer, and then upgraded to a Pioneer 300 disc changer. No worrying about storing them. I kept them in artist order inside the changer, which was a little laborious. Now I don't even bother.