How to Check Your Snail Mail Once Every Two Weeks

Learn how I check my snail mail once every two weeks.

Three Weeks Worth of Junkmail. I used to see this this volume in one day!

There was only one reason I used to go to my mailbox every day — junk mail.  I used to spend at least 20 minutes a day on snail mail.  The routine went something like:

• Drive to mailbox
• Get out of car
• Get mail
• Accidentilly spill piles of junk mail
• Pick up junk mail
• Drive home
• Sort junk mail from bills
• Throw out junk mail
• Repeat

Eventually, I had enough.  Six months ago I resolved to eliminate most of my snail/junk mail.  The method outlined below takes less than ten minutes and eliminated 90% of my junk mail.

First Step: DMA Opt-Out

DMA Choice is the Direct Marketers Association opt-in/out page. Unless you specifically request a catalog or mailing, and unless you already have an established relationship with a company, removing your name from this mailing list should eliminate a great deal of snail mail clutter. Create an account by going to: https://www.dmachoice.org/.

Last Step: Get Rid of Credit Offers

Apparently the major credit bureaus did not want to place nice with the DMA, so they created there own website.  OptOutPrescreen is the Consumer Credit Reporting Industries opt-in/out page, and from here you can remove your name from all pre-qualified credit and insurance offers.  So, when you’re ready to get rid of those “PRE-APPROVED!!!” letters,  simply go to: https://www.optoutprescreen.com/.

Do not expect immediate results.  It took a few weeks for the volume to crank down.  Given time, your trips to the mailbox should be much more pleasant — you can look forward to bills!

Cheers,
Eric

[Update 9:50 PM]

Eliminating your junk mail is a great way to go green, as Kathy said in the comments.  There is actually a non-profit service that claims they can entirely eliminate your junk mail.  Check out http://www.41pounds.org/.  I have not used the service and therefore cannot recommend them, and would be interested in hearing from anyone that has.  The cost for five years is aptly $41.

Posted by Eric Stroud on August 13th, 2009 in Productivity