3 Steps on Controlling Paper Overload

Especially if you have children, the amount of paper that comes into your home on a daily basis is enormous.  On a daily basis, a typical home will receive newspapers, magazine, school papers, coupons and junk mail.  If one doesn't keep on top of all of his paper, it can start to push us out of our own home.  Okay, so how do we take charge and keep this stream of paper under control?

Stop Paper in it's Tracks

There are several methods you can do to reduce the amount of paper that gets delivered to your home. 

1. Visit the Direct Marketing Association to help reduce unwanted advertising mail.  This site also allows you to sign up for the type of mail you are interested in receiving.
2. Visit CatalogChoice.org to opt out of receiving mail order catalogs.
3. Most instruction manuals and how to information is available online.  If you find that you can reference this material online, then throw away the paper version.  Additionally, you can always download the manual and save it on your computer's hard drive.
4. Set up online banking and bill paying.  This will help eliminate monthly paper bank statements and bills.  Additionally, if you set up automatic payment, you'll never be late making a payment.

Establish a System

1. Set aside an area that will serve as the incoming mail and paper station.  Place mail and papers in a decorative basket.  Keep a trash can close by to immediately throw away unwanted junk mail and papers. 
2. Setup a filing system making sure to label folders.  You can even color code your folders based on the category.  For example, use green folders for financial (money is green), use blue for health and so on. Then get in the habit of filing papers you need keep right away.
3. Get into a routine.  Set aside  a certain time each day to go through your papers.  Throw away any unwanted papers and then sort the remaining papers into "action" and "reference".  If the items in the "action" pile can be completed in less than 2 minutes, then do it right away.  File the papers in the "reference" pile.
4. Stay on top of it.  Dealing with papers a little each day will help you stay on top of it and not let it consume you. 

Keep on Top of It

1. Recycle newspapers, magazine and catalogs on a regular basis.  When a new issues arrives, recycle the old issue.  If there is an article in a magazine that you want to keep, then tear out that particular article and put it in a binder or folder for reading at a later time.
2. Clean out old documents.  Periodically go through your filing folding and archive or shred any documents you no longer need to reference.
3. Donate, recycle or throw away anything you no longer need or want.  Some libraries will gladly take your old magazines. 

Getting a handle on the paper that constantly streams into your home is definitely a challenge.  However, if you take your time and try not to let it overwhelm you, you will be able to take control of the situation.