One of the easiest ways to stop clutter from entering your home is to refuse junk mail. The weekly coupon mailers, sweepstakes scams, AARP membership sign-ups (when you're only 35), and countless credit card applications can really add up to a lot of unnecessary waste. The average American household receives 848 pieces of junk mail per household, equal to 1.5 trees every year. That's a lot of junk and not to mention, the number of trips to the dumpster.
While you can wait for the junk mail to pile up on the kitchen counter before deciding to throw it into the recycling bin, just say "no" by eliminating the clutter before it begins.
Unfortunately, there is no catchall program where you can register to get yourself on the do-not-disturb list. Spend 5-10 minutes on each step below for the best results. With seven easy steps, this shouldn't take more than an hour. The little effort is so worth saying "adios!" to junk mail forever!
1. MAILING LISTS :: DMA CHOICE
Stop the overflow of mailings by removing your name from mailing lists at DMAChoice.org. It can take up to 90 days for it to stop since many mailings are already in production or is on its way to your home.
Cost: $2 processing fee for a period of 10 years.
Many companies soliciting for new customers purchase lists of prescreened potential customers from a consumer reporting company (i.e. Equifax, Experian or TransUnion). If you decide to remove yourself from prescreened offers, you can either opt out for 5 years, or opt out permanently through OptOutPrescreen.com. Opting out is your right as a consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
We still get a few solicitations here and there, but I'm planning to stop that by registering again. We moved to our home two years ago, and the credit card companies seemed to have tracked us down at our new address.
Cost: Free. Be prepared to provide social security # and date of birth. Don't worry. This is site was recommended by FTC.gov and is legit.
3. TELEMARKETING CALLS :: NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
For unwanted sales calls, make sure to register your home and cell phone via National Do Not Call Registry, or call 1.800.382.1222. Your phone # should show up on the registry the next day. Most calls will stop within 30 days. Unfortunately, this is only for sales calls. You may still receive political, charitable, debt collection, and phone survey calls.
Still getting sales calls after you've been registered? Don't interact. Hang up and file a complaint with the FTC here.
I just checked the website to verify my registry. Apparently, I've registered as of January 24, 2009! The robotic telemarketers that sound like real people are tricky though. I've gotten a "you just won a free vacation" calls this past year. Time to become pen pals with the FTC.
Cost: Free, thanks to your tax dollars hard at work. Registrations do NOT expire. Once you've registered your number, there is no need to register again. Forgot if you registered? You can verify your registration by entering your phone numbers & email address.
4. UNWANTED CATALOGS :: CATALOG CHOICE
Catalog Choice is great for stopping catalogs that you don't want, including ones for previous occupants or a deceased person. Enough said.
Cost: Free.
5. OTHER DIRECT MAILERS
There are many other direct mailers that DMA does not cover including Valpak (who provides printed coupon packs) or RedPlum (DirecTV ads,closet solution buildout ads).
For an old-school method by using the snail mail route, cross out your mailer, write the following, and return it to the sender. "Please remove my name & address from your mailing lists and do not rent, sell, or trade my name or address."
Cost: Free.
6. THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT :: PAPER KARMA
If all else fails and you're still getting junk mail, smartphone app PaperKarma can help. So far, they have successfully helped reduce over 7.5 million junk mailings and catalogs. Just snap a photo of your mailer and press send. They'll take care of the rest. So easy!
Cost: Free.
7. RECYCLE THE REST
Get into the habit of recycling junk mail as soon as you receive them. To help with this, try adding a waste basket near the front door or opening your mail next to your kitchen trash bin. I keep mine discreetly hidden in the guest closet by the entryway.
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