[Security-Discuss] Security newbie - gpg key & usage question ?

I am wondering about practical uses of gpg keys.
I have a personal gpg key that I sign email with, it is on a
keyserver. I am just a home user, so I haven't ever send encrypted
email to another party but, as I understand this, the key on the
keyserver is a public key but if I want to encrypt a file on my HD
can someone with my public key read this file ?
(the file contents would be passwords and financial info)

Would I require another key for this ? I understand that you who
sign rpm's have many but for a home user I guess I wouldn't need
another one unless it gets compromised ..

Thanks for any replies ..
Regards,

p.s. Still googling on the subject ..
-- 
RickS
gpg --recv-keys --keyserver www.keyserver.net 0x24AABE61
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The notion of looking on at life has always been hateful
to me. What am I if I am not a participant? In order to be,
I must participate.  --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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