Managing Mail Clutter

Managing mail clutter requires constant upkeep (except on Sundays- ha!). My philosophy is to sort the mail each day, as soon as I have my hands on it, so that it doesn’t become lost or pile up.

The way that I do this is to have a place for each type of mail. I have a hanging folder system on my kitchen wall and I as soon as I pick up the mail, I walk into the kitchen to handle it. I have a folder slot for things to “File” ( insurance information, bank statement, etc), I have a folder slot for things that need “Action” (bill to pay, etc.), and I have my recycling bin. I open and shuttle each piece of mail to its appropriate place and then I am typically done for the day (unless anything is super pressing).

Paper paper on the wall…better than a stack so tall

If anything needs to be shredded, I will make a pile and either shred it that day or have a bag next to my recycling for papers to be shredded. If you don’t own a shredder, Staples will shred items for you and they do it in front of you so that you can be sure it is taken care of.

If I receive any magazines or catalogs that I would like to peruse, I put them on the table next to the couch, where I would most likely read them.

Once per week, I have a recurring time on my calendar to go through the “Action” file folder and take action as needed. For each piece of mail, I also ask myself if I needed the paper copy or if having it electronically would have been just as good. If I don’t need the paper, I go online or call to go paperless for that vendor/bank/etc.

It sounds like a lot when it is written out, but once you have a system in place that is easy to use day to day, you are more likely to maintain it and avoid the dreaded paperwork piles on your countertop.

Happy sorting!