10 Tips to Reduce Junk Mail
Do you dread getting your mail because there is so much of it? Before we took an active effort to reduce our junk mail, we were getting over 200 pieces of unsolicited mail a month. Now it’s about 20 pieces a month. We’ve had several days when the mail was delivered and we got no mail. We were so excited—and then depressed. Not even our credit card companies sent us anything because we’ve gone paperless (electronic statements).
You too can drastically reduce the amount of junk mail that you get if you follow these 10 steps. 1. Contact the DMA to opt-out of mailings. Provide your name, address, and the names of any other people receiving mail at that address to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Mail Association, PO Box 282, Carmel, NY 10512 or visit www.dmachoice.org. 2. Contact the credit bureaus to opt-out of pre-approved credit cards at 888-567-8688. This has nothing to do with your credit, even though this is a service of the credit bureaus. You can contact any credit card company and request an application. 3. Once you’ve made a donation, charities seem to send endless volumes of mail. Limit the number of charities that you contribute to. Instead of 10, select only one or two. Contact the charity to request that they contact you less frequently (saves them postage and reduces paper being used). 4. Contact the organizations that you belong to and notify them that you do not want your name rented. These organizations could include the art organizations, banks, bookstores and video rental store, cable TV, civic organizations, computer related companies, credit card companies, Elks, Moose or other lodges, entertainment groups, grocery store (those that you use), gym or fitness club, homeowners association, insurance companies, investment services, magazine subscriptions, mortgage loan companies, newspapers, political organizations, public interest groups, real estate agents, religious organizations, service organizations, social service organizations, trade organizations, pet supply store, volunteer organizations and youth organizations. Look at your key ring. Any store where you have received a key tab has your name and address. |
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5. Don’t fill out warranties, raffles, give aways or freebies. The primary purpose of these activities is to get addresses. The chances of winning are slim, although they may out way the hassle of the telemarketing efforts.
6. When you attend tradeshows or conventions use a fictitious address. We went to a computer hardware show once because we were interested—sort of. The show wasn’t what we needed or wanted. Years later we are still getting flyers for other shows and related shows. The middle of the Hudson River has always been a good address.
7. If you’re planning on moving, don’t fill out the change of address card from the post office. Yes, it is very convenient to do so, but the post office sells that information to other companies who then send you stuff. Contact your family, friends and business associates (your bank, your credit card company) directly with your new address.
8. Change ZIP codes. No, I guess you really can’t do this, but it is a fact that the ZIP code you live in may increase the volume of unsolicited mail. The more affluent your community (think Beverly Hills 90210) the more likely a charity would rent a list of 90210 addresses. Perhaps rent a private mail box (the UPS Store) in a nearby ZIP code.
9. Don’t always provide information that is asked for. We never provide our fax number. Ten years ago, fax use was a very common way other businesses communicated with ours. Now, the only businesses that still fax information are the schools that we teach seminars at—other than the junk fax companies. If anyone wants to fax us something, all they have to do is ask.
10. Contact the company or person sending you information and asked to be removed from their list. They appreciate the courtesy as much as you enjoy receiving less junk mail.
Remember the old saying “it takes money to make money?” Well, it takes time to make time. By taking the steps to reduce your junk mail, you will get less mail. You will notice that you have more time and can fill it doing other, more important things.
6. When you attend tradeshows or conventions use a fictitious address. We went to a computer hardware show once because we were interested—sort of. The show wasn’t what we needed or wanted. Years later we are still getting flyers for other shows and related shows. The middle of the Hudson River has always been a good address.
7. If you’re planning on moving, don’t fill out the change of address card from the post office. Yes, it is very convenient to do so, but the post office sells that information to other companies who then send you stuff. Contact your family, friends and business associates (your bank, your credit card company) directly with your new address.
8. Change ZIP codes. No, I guess you really can’t do this, but it is a fact that the ZIP code you live in may increase the volume of unsolicited mail. The more affluent your community (think Beverly Hills 90210) the more likely a charity would rent a list of 90210 addresses. Perhaps rent a private mail box (the UPS Store) in a nearby ZIP code.
9. Don’t always provide information that is asked for. We never provide our fax number. Ten years ago, fax use was a very common way other businesses communicated with ours. Now, the only businesses that still fax information are the schools that we teach seminars at—other than the junk fax companies. If anyone wants to fax us something, all they have to do is ask.
10. Contact the company or person sending you information and asked to be removed from their list. They appreciate the courtesy as much as you enjoy receiving less junk mail.
Remember the old saying “it takes money to make money?” Well, it takes time to make time. By taking the steps to reduce your junk mail, you will get less mail. You will notice that you have more time and can fill it doing other, more important things.
Copyright 2013 Nancy Miller
This article is free for reprinting provided terms and agreements are followed.
This article is free for reprinting provided terms and agreements are followed.
Nancy Miller, a professional organizer with over 20 years of experience coupled with a Certified Professional Coaching credential offers both personal and business consultation. Nancy’s credentials include past membership in the National Association of Professional Organizers and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. She delivers over 100 programs nationwide each year. Her book, Clutterology® Getting Rid of Clutter and Getting Organized is in it’s 4th Edition