Mail, Mail, and More Mail - HELP!!
By Nancy Kruschke McKinney

I continually get asked, "How do I deal with all the mail and bills that come in?" If you feel that you're buried under the pile of paper that comes into your home or office every day, you're not alone.

Try some of these steps to help you handle the paper:

1. Resign yourself that paper and mail are a part of life and daily routine, just like getting up, brushing your teeth, etc.
   
   
2. Create a workspace for yourself. Have a specific place to put the mail when it comes into your home or office. Don't just drop it anywhere upon opening.
   
   
3. Set up this place as the place to pay bills and deal with any other issues that may come in the mail. Have all of the supplies you will need to handle this task right there. Recommended supplies: Hanging files, pens, pencils, calculator, stamps, envelopes, address labels, stapler, scissors, tape, ruler, manila files, highlighter, marker, waste basket, recycling container, desk or table, good lighting, comfortable chair and possibly a computer.
   
   
4. Set up a paperwork system. Use stack shelves or baskets to assist you in dividing up the papers that come in. Sample labels for these shelves or baskets: Sort, File, Do, Pay, and Scheduled Events. When opening the mail, place it on the appropriate shelf or basket. Here's how to use these categories:
   
   SORT-If you need time to review a piece of mail, put it on this shelf. This is where you should put those piles that are currently on the coffee table, kitchen counter, etc. When you have time to go through that information it will all be in one place. You might want to keep this basket in the main part of the house to make it easy to access.
   
   PAY-Bills to be paid and even subscriptions you are considering ordering.
   
   FILE-Anything that needs to get filed goes here. Once you've paid your bills, place it here if you don't have time to file it immediately.
   
   DO-Any paperwork that is not time sensitive. Newsletters to read, address changes of friends or relatives, appointments you need to make, people you need to call, etc.
   
   SCHEDULED EVENTS-Concert tickets, party invitations, directions to the party, kids events, plane tickets anything you will need to put your hands on NOW.
   
   

The most important step is to schedule time to work on each of these shelves or baskets. So pull out your calendar and pencil in times to pay the bills, file the statements, update those addresses, read the newsletters, etc. Set time weekly, 45 minutes to an hour, to handle these tasks. If possible try to set the same time each week, this will help you get into a routine and on top of the piles.

Try to spend a few minutes everyday sorting the stuff in the "sort" bin so that it doesn't become overwhelming. Keep the appointments you set with yourself and slowly this process will become part of your daily and weekly routine.

Nancy Kruschke, owner of Successful Organizing Solutions (S.O.S.) is an organizing coach, consultant, and speaker. Nancy can be reached at 608-441-6767 or Nancy@SOSorganize.net or visit www.SOSorganize.net.