Hello - I'm back! I know I've been gone for a while but I'm here and ready to help you get more organized.
One of the questions I get most often is “How should I organize my mail?” Though there are many ways to do so and honestly it really depends on your habits but if you’re interested in learning how to decrease the clutter before it takes over your kitchen counter, I have some simple tips that can help you with that.
Ready. Set. Rescueeeeeee!
The first tip to minimizing mail clutter is to:
discard spam mail before you enter your home
When you check the mail before you step one foot into your home, throw away/recycle the mail that you don’t want. If you not comfortable with throwing mail out without shredding it, try placing the shredder outside to avoid you from going into your home.
dedicate 5-10 minutes to sort through your mail as soon as it coming into your home
For the other mail that may require more attention, only devote 5-10 minutes to go through them. Because for the most part we already know what mail we are expecting, it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to sort through. If you receive a letter that requires more attention, focus on that particular one last and try to resolve the issue if any, there and then. For example, if you received a wedding invitation that required you to fill out an RSVP, its best to fill it out at that moment than waiting to the very last minute because you forgot. Try not to put it off because the last thing you want to do is forget an important date.
opt-out spam mail
If you’re tired of receiving spam letters like magazines, credit card applications, coupons and etc., there are a few websites out there that work to help you remove your information from these lists. Funny enough some of the companies will be happy to remove your information since doing so will help them save money from printing. Below is a great link that has a list of website that will help you opt out.
Go here: www.ecocycle.org/junkmail
automate your mail (Go Paperless)
My favorite and probably the easiest way to minimize your mail is to go paperless. Thankfully a lot of places like banks, department stores even healthcare providers offer this option. I believe going paperless is a much safer and secure way to stay organized. You get an email when your digital statements and documents are available and you can access your account statements and documents at your convenience online or nowadays via an app. Just simple!
At the end of the day, its all about your habits. If you are willing to get up for work, eat lunch, dress your bed, get dressed or even bite your nails, you too can get a handle of your mail. Start small. Try 1-2 of the tips mentioned and see how it works for you. If they don’t, try another one or two. It’s all about figuring out what works best for your current lifestyle and repeating it over and over until it becomes second nature.
Try it and let me know how it goes. Until next time!
