by: Samantha Leonard | Samantha Leonard Designs
Does checking your mail give you a headache? Do you feel like if you get one more unwanted credit card offer, you are going to pull your hair out? (Trust me. I have been there.) Mail can be great, but it can introduce unwanted paper clutter into your home! Several years ago I decided to take action on this and changed our “mail game” for life. Here are 7 easy ways you can do the same!
- Keep a mini shredder on hand. I recommend keeping the shredder by the garage door so you can easily shred any mail as you bring it in. I keep mine on a higher shelf to avoid curious little fingers. Keeping it unplugged when not in use could also be a great safety precaution.
- Add a recycling bin right next to your shredder and you have eliminated at least 3/4 of the mail that might otherwise make it into your home.
- Are you uncomfortable with leaving your name and address on something that you would otherwise toss in the recycling bin? Guard ID rolling stamps will remove that fear and take seconds to roll over your name and address.
- Eliminate your name from credit card offer lists. This one can make a HUGE difference! If you want to opt out permanently from receiving all the pesky offers, go to OptOutPrescreen.com. Yes it is a legit site, so much so that it is also recommended by the FDIC. You can opt out for five years by filling out the online form or you can opt out permanently by printing out, completing, and mailing in the form. Our family did this several years ago, and we have not received a single unwanted credit card offer.
- Take action ASAP! If you can, take swift action on a piece of mail you are not ready to toss, such as a bill or invitation. Give yourself 24 hours to get it done to eliminate late fees or missing out on an RSVP deadline! I keep save the dates and invitations in my planner and then toss them once the event is over.
- Keep one (SMALL) action bin for paperwork that still needs attention, but is not quite ready to be thrown out.
- Keep an accordion file for documents that are necessary to keep, such as tax forms.
As the saying goes, if you have a problem, “do something differently”. If you take one of these steps that you haven’t done before, I guarantee you will start seeing a difference in your mail clutter!
Happy Shredding!
Need help beyond your mail pile? Samantha Leonard Designs also offers organizational services to tame the clutter and bring the calm. Click here to get started today!
