Mail

As best you can, handle mail only once. Throw out immediately anything that requires no action - junk mail, anything of no interest to you, or isn't worth saving. Often you'll get a subscription request for a magazine long before it's going to end - these usually have the end date listed on the request, sometimes it's in the line with your name.

When you get an unsolicited credit card, cut it up and throw it out right away. You should cut up out-dated or unwanted credit cards too. By cutting them up, they can't be used.

If you need a copy of your reply, make a photocopy on the back of, or staple the copy to, the original letter. When you do file this, the copy won't get misplaced.

When you shop for greeting cards, get more than one, that way you won't have to shop next time - just be sure to file them so you can find them. If you a box of blank cards you like, pick them up, they will work for many different occasions.

Have your list by you when you open the mail, you can record letters/emails to be written, calls to make, cards to mail, and other paperwork or tasks to do.

File record documents right away - tax records, receipts, auto registrations, etc.

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

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