[GregP]

What happened to the paperless revolution?

Somebody forgot to tell the junk mail companies :-)

See, we have basically three types of mail coming through our doors.

1. Bills (how fun!)
2. Junk Mail (ads, credit card solicitations, etc.)
3. Personal/Important Mail (everything from birthday cards to personal documents you'll need to keep)

Some "experts" will tell you to take care of this stuff right away...but there are ways to put it aside without letting it pile up.

First of all, you don't have to check your mail every day. Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is look at a bunch of bills so getting the mail everyday doesn't have to be part of your routine.

However, if you are concerned about somebody stealing your mail...then go ahead and take it in daily (see below). But if you don't have to, then don't.

Another option is spend the money on a PO Box and only getting the mail 2-3 times a week. It's nice to take a few days off from bills and junk mail.

We're all in the habit of "getting the mail" as if there's going to be a million dollar check in there. But more often than not...the mailman isn't delivering the good stuff.

This is a personal choice of course, but another way to ease the flow of paper coming into your home is again, to simply ignore it every other day.

Now, with that said, when you do decide to bring the mail in, you should deal with it right away. At least avoid dropping it in an existing pile (of yesterdays mail).

A great, cheap way to deal with the mail right away with very little effort is to use zip-lock bags.

That's right, zip-locks.

Get three of them...

On one, you right "bills to be paid." You can fill this bag with your bills and worry about it 2-3 times a month on your designated bill-paying days.

The 2nd, you write "action needed." This is the mail that needs to be filed or action needs to be taken (I use three ring binders for important docs). I would take care of this bag of goodies at least twice a month.

The 3rd you write "to be destroyed" -- this bag is for the credit card apps or junk mail that has personal information you'll want to destroy at some point. (If you don't have a shredder...then get one). But you can let this bag go until it's full...then you hit the shredder.

All three bags can be kept in an enclosed pocket folder or a box somewhere out of site but near the area you typically open your mail.

For the rest of the mail...coupons, sales postcards, etc...use the basket and toss them right away.

These are some simple ways to manage the biggest culprit causing paper clutter in our homes.

To being organized!

Greg