Managing the tidal wave that is paper

By: Robert Mizrahi

Keeping on top of paper is often one of the biggest challenges people face in the home as well as the office, so you're not alone.

There are two main reasons why we accumulate paper. One, most of it doesn't have a place that it belongs, so it goes anywhere, and two, you are receiving paper you didn't want in the first place (catalogs, credit card invitations, charity solicitations, etc.).

By making new decisions, and changing your behavior, you'll immediately begin to stop the flow. Let's start with putting paper "where it belongs.?

Chose a small section that is cluttered with paper. Keep a large trash bag nearby. Throw away anything that is not important. Really look closely here. Be ruthless. Is it important, or are you having trouble "letting go"? Ask yourself if it can be replaced if necessary. Can the info be found on the Internet? Same for news articles. There are alternatives.

For example, if you think "I'll read it when I have the chance.? You won't, and you'll never miss it. Is there an article in a particular magazine or newspaper that you will read? Fine. Tear it out, put it into a folder marked "to be read" and recycle the rest. Is there a catalog item you wish to purchase? Tear out the item page, along with both the item and 800 #'s and recycle the rest. You get the point.

All other paper should be categorized and put in simple folders. Medical, home insurance, kid's camp info, etc., etc. Name the folders. By putting "like" items together, you'll start developing a real filing system. Folders are one way to go. You can get a 3-hole puncher, and place items in a binder as well.

The point is to make the hard decisions about what to keep, then creating a "home" for it all.
Now, what to do with all the "incoming" paper:

First off, stand over the garbage as you go through your daily mail. Don't open solicitations for yet another credit card, no matter how attractive the offer. Decide on the spot if you are certain you will donate to the charity whose letter you hold in your hand. If not, don't even open it. It's not personal. Ever notice how when you make a donation somewhere, you receive five more solicitations from other charities soon after? This leads to my next point.

Mailing lists - you're on them. Lots of them. The more catalogs you buy from, the more mail you'll receive. Buy something online and the result is the same. Give home shopping a go, and you'll be receiving mail like there's no tomorrow.

Inform companies you buy from that you do not wish to have your information "sold" to any other companies. That is what it's called, because that is what they do. Your name is worth a lot of money to a lot of merchandising companies. While you're at it, make a pile of all the unwanted catalogs you're receiving, call their 800 numbers, and have yourself removed from their data bases as well.

Remember - you didn't necessarily create the problem, but you have the tools to fix the problem.