What Happened To Going Paperless?
Paper clutter is one of the major struggles these days. SO much of it we feel the NEED to keep, so much we HAVE to keep and the rest, is just junk. And until we make a decision how to handle it all, it continue to come in and cause overwhelm. For about 1/3 of the homeowners that I work with this causes them to go into shut-down mode. Procrastination then becomes second nature and the cycle spirals downward quickly.
To keep ahead of paperwork it needs to be touched frequently. Allowing mail to continue to stack on the dining room table, kitchen counter or any other flat surfaces will only cause you distress and can even keep you up at night.
The key to gaining control of your paperwork is to be very clear with yourself about what you need to keep.
Here are 7 quick tips:
1. Magazines – Your intention to read them front to back may be real but do you ever do it in a timely manner? How many months of your Good Housekeeping magazines are laying around? Are they serving you a purpose to have them stacked up in the corner? Find that one recipe that you’d like to try and recycle the rest of the magazine.
2. Newspapers – One key to keeping newspapers under control is to set a recycling schedule. Make a commitment to recycle weekly and get them out of the house.
3. Coupons – Are you a coupon-cutter? Do you have a habit of cutting extra coupons just because you can save a dollar? If it isn’t an item that you normally purchase, save the paper and recycle it now. Only clip those coupons that you really will use.
4. Eliminate the junk mail immediately by shredding it or placing it in the recycling bin. There is no reason to allow it to lay around.
5. This is the easiest. Just don’t let it pile up. Check your mail every day and handle it at least every other day. Handling it means actually looking at it, opening it and taking some type of action. Start with the elimination process – shred the junk. Sort the bills, coupons and all the other mail.
6. Dedicate a small space to hold/store your mail. Break the cycle. Don’t allow it to accumulate onto every flat surface available. Some of the more popular places for mail to be stacked are the kitchen or dining room table, the kitchen counter top or whatever flat surface is convenient to you when you immediately bring it inside. Find a space that allows you to continue enjoying your family meals together and doesn’t cause you stress from the minute that you walk into your home.
7. Get help from your family. Older children can really enjoy using the shredder. It gives them responsibility and helps you too!
For More tips on paper clutter, feel free to contact Linda @ 540-220-5912 or linda@cycat7.com. Eliminating paper can be a challenge. We are Paper Reduction Experts and happy to discuss your needs. Linda Clevenger – Organization Direct
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