tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364720922349402508.post6679827039623542389..comments2011-08-23T23:23:20.595-07:00Comments on My WasteLess Life: The 4 R's of Mail ConsumptionSteph Corkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08500221918047015376noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364720922349402508.post-61294688026183898402011-08-20T13:27:13.070-07:002011-08-20T13:27:13.070-07:00Yeah, do tend to get long winded.
Mail reduction ...Yeah, do tend to get long winded.<br /><br />Mail reduction has, sillily, taken a long time. For several months every time I got something, I would proactively try to eliminate a repetition of that piece of mail, however it made sense. <br />It all started with signing up with Greendimes (which has either morphed or ceased to exist), and though it took months, the process was pretty successful for catalogs;They knew what buttons to push :-)) Other services should be similar. I got inspired after minimizing the junk mail, to attack the rest. Kind of like a garbage can challenge: how low can you go!Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01199139577895608850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364720922349402508.post-75545623961485148442011-08-20T12:19:27.989-07:002011-08-20T12:19:27.989-07:00I am struggling to imagine how anybody gets by wit...I am struggling to imagine how anybody gets by without a checking account. They must have some sort of bank account right? <br /><br />I'm going to check out DMA Choice. Years ago I signed up with some service to remove my name from junk mail lists, but I can no longer remember the name, and I think it was different. Anyhow, it can't hurt. I've got one stupid company that keeps sending me their catalog. I call EVERY month asking to be removed from their list, but still it arrives. Sigh.<br /><br />I am famous for keeping too much crap that "might be useful". Cardboard boxes and other packing materials are my downfall. But a few months ago I spent a few days cleaning out my basement. I designated one cabinet for packaging stuff, and it's stuffed full. So now I know that I don't need any more! I considered it a great accomplishment when a recent mail order arrived and I actually took the boxes and packing stuff straight to the recycling bin without it sitting in a pile in the basement for many months first. Progress!!!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364720922349402508.post-47459974060045644612011-08-20T12:02:36.763-07:002011-08-20T12:02:36.763-07:00Wow! Great response, Jay. I'm impressed with y...Wow! Great response, Jay. I'm impressed with your mail volume. I'm afraid mine is quite a bit heavier. I have called several companies to request a stop to catalogs, but others seem to take their place almost seamlessly. I guess I'll see how using the DMA works out for us. It sounds like you've put a lot of effort into your mail reduction, and I love that you use your used envelopes to collect stickers at the market. That's classic. I may swipe that one.Steph Corkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08500221918047015376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364720922349402508.post-28394621325336743322011-08-20T08:47:33.215-07:002011-08-20T08:47:33.215-07:00Nice! Good info.
I've been financially paperl...Nice! Good info.<br /><br />I've been financially paperless for years, and use a billpay service so that paying is brainless (as long as we have income!!) since everything is automatically scheduled. I cannot imagine budgeting without the direct downloading of information from my creditors and bank(s). Couldn't keep track if I had to deal with paper.<br /><br />I pay individuals, Drs, insurance, utilities, thru the billpay service; DMV, taxes -including property, online. Local businesses, over the phone if possible so don't need to issue paper check. I use an online bank for the majority of payments. <br />I'm working on getting local individuals/businesses to either send bills to our billpay service, email us, or go through PayPal, so can stop receiving their paper bills. Mixed success there.<br />Almost all income (including reimbursements, individual paybacks) is direct deposit or through PayPal or something similar.<br /><br />Recently, I've tried going paperless with health insurance/FSA claims. That's a bit rocky, but seems more a matter of their EOB section and email services not communicating. Growing pains I suspect. Strangely, our health insurance only issues paper checks. We do file claims by fax, instead of mail. If couldn't fax for free, I'd electronically fax from our computer.<br /><br />We even scan and email necessary paperwork to our "kid" who lives away from home. My impression is he doesn't even check the mailbox more than once/twice a week!<br /><br />I would also recommend contacting, phone/email, any vendor from whom you are receiving a catalog who is not responsive to DMA requests. Most have no problem stopping the mailings, as it ultimately is cheaper for them. A few solicitations I've stopped by stuffing everything in the return envelope with a big NO written across it.<br /><br />Magazines, newsletters either Kindle or online. I could even send stuff to said "kid's" Kindle!<br /><br />With all our efforts, we've reduced mail to none or one/two pieces a day, with most that's still coming being unsolicited "stuff". Still working on these.<br /><br />The envelopes I still am getting: I currently use when shopping at my meat market with my own containers. They still need to generate stickers for each item, so I have them put them on the envelope, then hand that to the cashier. Saves scraping sticky stuff off the jars.<br />__<br />I agree, banks seem to be a necessary evil unless you have no debt and few expenses, AND no desire to have a steady job, rent or own.<br /><br />Regarding "hoarding" boxes: I have been guilty of this, too, as have gone through a phase of buying -even food- online. THAT's stopped, but to not feel guilty about single use boxes, I'm donating the boxes/packing materials to a local "shipping store" [check Stopwaste]<br /><br />Sorry for long response, but this is near and dear to my heart. This used to be a huge part of our paper waste as well as an organizational nightmare.Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01199139577895608850noreply@blogger.com