Paper Clutter Take Two!

Grab your Trash Cans!

  Cleaning up that Paper Clutter....Take Two!
   Like everyone else I am overwhelmed with the amount of paper clutter I accumulate.   I have tried so many different ways to reduce the amount of paper that piles up in my home on a daily basis.

  First and foremost:  Reduce the Amount of Mail Coming into the house.
   Head on over to the FTC (dot) gov to opt out of pre-screened offers!  You can choose to eliminate the offers for 5 years or indefinitely!  Since doing this, I have seen a huge difference in the mail I get everyday.  (While you are on the site, you can opt out on the donotcall list as well.  Stop the annoying phone calls!)

   Once you have reduced the amount coming in.....
   You need to find a system that works for you and your family.  Are you the type of person that can get the mail sorted and file it immediately?  I envy you!
    If you are more like me, shuffle through it to see if there is anything that needs immediate attention.  Pull out your magazines and put them in a pretty basket on the coffee table for light reading.  All other mail can go into another basket to be dealt with at a later date.  
   The best way for me to do this and not get overwhelmed is to pick one day a week to go through my basket.  I choose Fridays.  I pay all my bills that are due that week on Friday.  It is a good idea to make sure I am not missing a bill that needs to be paid.
   I love to make piles.  It keeps everything into focus for me.  I separate the pile into:
                     -Needs to be Filed
                     -Needs to be Paid
                     -Trash/Recycle
                     -Shred.

  What to do next:
   My pile of Needs to be Filed is put in a basket to head downstairs to my Office Area.
   My pile of Needs to be Paid is entered into my log of bills needing to be paid.  Then, filed in the front of my record keeping book.
   My pile of Trash/Recycling is placed in its respective spot.
   The last pile: Shred.  Oh this has always been a difficult pile for me to deal with!  I use to add it to my basket that went to my office to Shred it in the Shredder.  Being the procrastinator that I am in the little bag with all of my discards became this big hassle.  I would wait days, weeks, months before I would deal with it.  I have found a solution to reduce the amount of Paper Clutter waiting to be Shred!

Paper Clutter that Needs to be Shred:
    The easiest way I have dealt with that pile of mail with my name on it is to grab this little guy:

Kespon Guard Your ID Roller Stamp, Blue

                   Look at what happens with a little click of the button and a few swipes.

Perfect!

     Now, that can head right into the Recycling Bin.  I do not have to add it to another basket to be Shred downstairs!  It makes my piles so much easier to deal with.

  I will let you know that the ID Stamp does cover up most of the addresses and names on the incoming mail.  Although, there are some inks and paper that it will not cover no matter how many times you swipe the stamp.
                  Don't worry!  I have a solution for that as well.  Grab a pair of these scissors.
  This pair of scissors has multiple blades!  They are best used at an angle.  They make quick work of that address or two that you need to shred.  Here is an example of what it looks like in use.

  I am telling you that these two products have basically eliminated my need for my shredder!  (I do use it for those bills I have paid that have quite a bit of confidential information.)  I am in no way affiliated with either of these products.  If you are interested, you can order them both through Amazon.com.  Either one is found for about $10 a piece.  In my opinion, totally worth it!

Until next time
~Elizabeth