one step to not allowing junk mail to clutter your home is to throw it in the recycle bin immediately after you bring it through your door. however, the better solution is to not receive it at all.
removing your name from mailing lists is not as time-consuming as you might think. and it shouldn’t cost you a penny. you can reduce your junk mail 75-85% by following these three easy steps:
- register your name with the direct marketing association’s mail preference service and be added to their “do not mail” database.
- opt-out of pre-approved credit card, mortgage, and insurance offers by using the online form at optoutprescreen.com.
- for individual catalogs that you receive, call the company and ask them to remove you from their mailing list.
these changes may take up to 90 days to begin working, but you will certainly notice the difference when they do!
the preceding is an excerpt from simplify: 7 guiding principles to help anyone declutter their home and life.
what other steps would you recommend to minimalize junk mail?
Brad says
Anyone have suggestions for how to stop mail to your house thats addressed to a previous owner. Especially a previous owner where it also says – or current resident?
Jane says
Past resident mail…USA
There are two types of mail first class & non-first class – each handled differently!
First class (presorted first class, priority, special endorsed)
Visit the USPS with examples in hand and ask for form 3575Z to be filled out for each individual/each name variation (Thomas vs Tom).
Continue to write “RTS – NOT at this address” on each first class mailer. Place these RTS mailers in YOUR mailbox for YOUR mail carrier to see. If able to hand deliver – even better! This will trigger them to fill out paperwork for this individual.
Non-first class mail (presorted STD, marketing/junk, “or current resident”, EDDM/ECRWSS/ECRWSH, nonprofit)
You are receiving this type of mail because it is NOT forwarded via an USPS COA (change of address).
Contact each sender and request removal of the name/address.
If the mailer is “or current resident” – guess what – you ARE the current resident – remove from mailing list.
I use informed delivery via USPS to email a removal request to any unwanted mailer (including past resident mail) – attach the mailers image as reference.
S says
Thank you for this. I just spent 15 minutes going through my junk mail and opting out of things. I never knew how to get rid of it, but the junk that piles up waiting for paper recycling every two weeks gets so ridiculous. Here’s hoping this cuts down a bit. I’m going to keep the sites bookmarked so I can add things to my list as the junk mail comes in.
The real unfortunate part is the ones that it doesn’t recognize – probably because they’re less common industry-related mailings, rather than the usual commerical ones.
di says
I keep any remaining old mail for scrap paper.
I make lists of errands, groceries, the budget, etc.
If I have several papers to take on an errand, I tuck them inside an old envelope. I also use old envelopes to organize my budget, leave notes or pay the paperboy.
Everything gets used quite frequently and saves a lot of money in the long run.
di says
It’s convenient.