How to reduce your snail mail

Recently I learned the United States Post Office is considering cutting back to five-day delivery.  Although we may feel overwhelmed with managing mail, apparently snail mail is actually cut back quite a bit. In fact, in fiscal year 2009, the post office saw a 13% drop in volume.

And yet, we continue to be inundated with junk mail. 

There actually is something you can do about this.  But it will take a bit of effort on our parts.  Here are some tips from The Federal Trade Commission.   (Do you think one arm of government might be hurting another by providing this information?  Just an aside comment)

To stop credit card offers:

The credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables you to “opt-out” of having pre-approved credit offers sent to you for five years. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com for more information. When you call, you’ll be asked for personal information, including your home telephone number, your name, and your Social Security number.
The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out of receiving pre-screened offers of credit.

In addition, you can notify the three major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes—an important step toward eliminating unsolicited mail. Send your letter to each of the three major credit bureaus:

Experian
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521
Attn: Consumer Services Department

TransUnion
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094

Equifax, Inc.
Options
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

The FTC website also has directions on how to opt out of other junk mail, telemarketing calls and even e-mail offers!   Plus, they include a sample letter to use.

Take some time to stop clutter at the root, and you'll have less to worry about on your counters.

Grace & Peace,

Glynnis