Paper clutter is a huge struggle for most families! Throughout this month we are going to work to create practical, easy-to-maintain systems for all of the different paperwork that finds its way into our lives. The first thing on the list? Mail!
There is unfortunately no good way to stop the onslaught of paper mail that continually pours into our homes. Thus the best way to keep all that mail clutter from getting out of control is to create a workable system that ensures no important letters in bill (literally) slip the cracks.
The system that seems to works best and be easiest to follow involves immediately dealing with junk mail by recycling it as soon as it comes through the door, while simultaneously collecting the important mail items in a central location to be dealt with at a regular day and time.
Objective: An easy-to follow system that ensures all mail is dealt with in a timely manner.
Assess the current situation: What is happening with mail right now? Where does it go? What are your habits? What are your biggest struggles?
1. Gather and sort current mail into two piles—keep and trash. Start your mail organization process by dealing with the mail that has already piled up. Immediately discard your trash pile, then spend time getting caught up on your “keep” items.
2. Create a recycle station for immediately disposing of junk mail and catalogs. A pretty bin just inside your front door is ideal, but you could also create a recycle station in the kitchen, laundry room, garage, or utility room. Just make sure it is someplace where you will use it!
3. Unsubscribe from catalogs. Spend an afternoon removing yourself from as many company mailing lists as possible. There is unfortunately no easy way to do this, but a phone call directly to each company should be sufficient.
4. Create a collection bin or basket for remaining “real” mail. Pick a pretty basket that can collect the mail you actually need to deal with. Put it in a convenient place where you will actually use it. For example, if your mail normally piles up on a particular counter in the kitchen, put the box or basket right on that counter.
5. Designate a day/time each week to open and deal with mail. Try to do it at the same time each week so that nothing slips through the cracks.
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My weakness is the stream of catalogs that enters my home... and then takes residency. I enjoy looking through some of them, but they are not worth the clutter they become. I cancelled one yesterday and will continue to cancel them as they arrive.
You can also use a free app called PaperKarma to cut down on unwanted mail. You take a picture of what you don't want to keep receiving, submit it to them, and PaperKarma does the rest to get you unsubscribed from that company's mailing list. quick and easy!!
For years i have opened mail immediatley and put bills to be paid in my ourselves til next pay check then paId them at my next check.
Now they get paid out of checking so bills now go straight to filing pike
Soon in will go paperless then virtually no mail will arrive !
Done! Thanks for the motivation to finally go through a mountain of papers in my kitchen. For the first time in weeks my table and counters are clear, and two forgotten bills are now paid. Yay!
I have struggled with piles of papers for years until I came across the idea on Pinterest for having a box designated as the mail box and EVERYTHING that isn't trash goes in there and once a week I sit down and file things, pay bills, and take care of filling out any forms that I didn't have time to complete and stick back in a backpack right away. What caught my eye was the fact that I could give myself permission to not deal with everything the second it came in the door, because we all know how that goes - it gets set down and soon enough a pile starts to grow. I ALWAYS know where to find papers because they ALL go in the same big envelope until Mondays when I take it down to my desk and get to work. It is super efficient to only file everything at once and to only get bill paying supplies out once a week. Our home has been paper pile FREE for two months and I haven't lost or turned in anything late! It's a miracle!
https://www.catalogchoice.org/ Catalog Choice is one website that is legit where you can opt of catalog mailings. The site includes solicitations for donations and junk mail as well.
I agree, Valerie - stopping the junk mail makes HUGE difference!!
We "opted out" of junk mail about 5 years ago and it almost completely stopped the flow. Being that it was so long ago, I can't remember how I did it, but there's are lots of articles about how to do it if you do a google search. Here's one link I found:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/how-to-stop-junk-mail_n_834088.html
You can also remove yourself from mailing lists by writing "RTS" (return to sender) in bold letters on the front of anything that is true junk mail and returning it. Sometimes you may have to send it out from an alternate mailbox instead of your home mailbox, as we've found that our carrier won't pick up those pieces if they're actually addressed to us. :)