Paper, Paper Everywhere

I think we're pretty good about taking care of mail quickly.  I tend to pay bills through our online banking system when they come in.  I deal with all the paper kids bring home rather quickly too.  But somehow this corner of our kitchen tends to look like this a lot.

Not too bad, I realize, but this is after I've organized it somewhat.

But here's what it looks like now.

I was inspired by Bonnie at House of Grace and her system. 

I like hers better but couldn't find a great box like hers, so I'm going with paintable gray from Target with matching folders and labels.  I made a folder for those loose papers that aren't yet ready to be filed away in the office - new mail and magazines, this week's spelling list, recipes I want to try out, school papers for David to see, letters, etc.

I like how I can also tuck it away over by the kitchen table to give myself more counter space as well. 

It's such an improvement and will help me keep the clutter in the kitchen down hopefully!

We have a lot less junk mail now that we have been Catalog Choice users for a couple of years.  I first told you about it here. Any time I get new catalogs that we don't need I just go online and request that we no longer receive it.  Works beautifully.

I also signed us up for Opt Out last year. 

This put a quick halt to most of those unsolicited offers for new credit cards and insurance.  We get one every now and then, but it is rare.  I would recommend filling out the screen above for each adult in your household.  I filled it out for David initially but I was still getting a bunch addressed to me.  I opted us out permanently.

And, we're big paper recyclers.  Every school in our county and most of the public buildings and parks have an Abitibi paper recycling dumpster.  The school or building receives $$ for tons of paper recycled.  Our school puts that money towards the landscaping and other outdoor projects.  Win-win!