Paper Paper Everywhere but Not in My House

Hopefully, you have been able to take advantage of many of the document shreds in our community this spring. Whether you save up your shredding and shred in bulk, like I do, or shred as you process your mail, there would be less to shred, if you only receive mail that you need to receive, instead of receiving junk mail. However, with a little work, you can significantly reduce or eliminate all unwanted mail from your home by utilizing some apps, services or contacting paper reduction/preference organizations. PaperKarma is a free IOS and Android app that allows you to snap a picture of unwanted mail you want stopped. PaperKarma contacts the mailer and handles removing you from the unwanted distribution list. It is so easy to use and all the hard work is done behind the scenes for you! Another way to reduce paper coming in is to set up an account with Catalog Choice, a non-profit mail preference company. You inform them of the mail you don't want to receive any longer - not only catalogs, but credit-card solicitations, junk mail and other unwanted mail. They handle getting you off the list so you no-longer receive the unwanted mail. Another way is to go to the official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website and complete their on-line form to opt-in or opt-out of firm offers of credit or insurance. The Direct Marketing Association charges $1.00 to remove your address from their lists and once your information is in their database, it cannot be sold to other companies. A person must renew every 5 years. You can see, with a little work, there are ways to significantly reduce, if not eliminate unwanted mail coming to you. Your shredder may soon be collecting dust!