How do you deal with your junk mail?

I generally put it in a container, which I have placed by the front door. After I bring in my mail and sort through, I put the junk mail into the container. And there it piles (and piles :eek: )

The question to you: What do you do with it? How do you decide what to do next? This challenge sounds so easy to confront, yet, for me it isn't because I obsess and worry about the process. and so as the pile accumulates the angst grows. (as well as the :confused: )

Well, I INTEND to buy a paper shredder just for that purpose. Our junk mail piles up like yours, and my wife refuses to throw out anything that has her name on it due to possible problems with identity theft, especially those "pre-approved" credit card applications. Maybe someday I'll get the shredder on my "to do" list.

I just toss it. Anyone who wants to steal my credit history could probably do better, anyway. :D

I either take it out of my mailbox (which is a rural one) lean to the left and insert it straight back into the post box, thereby returning it to it's origin in the hopes they will stop sending it to me.

Or, if unaddressed, I stuff it directly into my recycling bin.

Some people with ADD say that a paper shreader was one of the best investments they have made.

I bought myself a paper shredder for Christmas. What a great invention!!

I have used it many, many times

Maybe there is hope for me with this organization problem!!!

chainsmoker----yes the identity theft is a real issue for me...(and in my sillier moments i question who would want MY identity, anyway? ;) )

the shredder does sound like the more rational approach and so I will give it a try...good idea. (although I really want to mail it all back- but I won't (darn))

thanks for some great thoughts and ideas.

I walk by the garbage can on my way in from the mailbox.
Anything with my name on it I rip to pieces (much more fun than using a shredder) and throw it in the can. Everything else just goes in the can.
It NEVER makes it into my house anymore.

P.S. I'm about the most paranoid identity theft freak out person you'll find and this works for me. Try it!

another idea just came to me...I can black out my name and address with a black marker and then just throw the junk mail into the recycle bin. perfect.
thanks... ;)

I mostly get stuff addressed to Occupant here at home. I have a P.O. Box everything else goes to. I simply sort it and dump it at the P.O. They have locked containers there. If it looks "sensitive," (and it rarely does) I take it home and forget to shred because I can't find the shredder. It gathers dust until I shred it by hand.

Just scratch off the part with your name, and then throw it out. Paper shredder is a better way.

If you have an open fire, or such; burn it up.

LOL** I first thought you meant "junk mail" as in PC e-mail :D

That is to funny Deeper Blue, I actually put all my junk mail in a container too and I don't throw it away at all. I put it in a designated trash can but Its full. I used to have a roommate and alot of it's hers so I haven't thrown it out yet. I just haven't accepted the fact that she's never coming back or I've just procrastinated doing anything about it. Some of it looks important but I get too much **** so it all goes in this can as soon as I bring it in the house, except I kind of pull out all my bills but sometimes I miss one or two:( .

yesterday, I went through the stuff and put all of it into paper bags and out to the street. It is all gone, yet I see other papers lurking :eek: , waiting to replace the others & take over... ugh

starting today, though, nothing is coming into my house. i have a new plan, which has been formulated from all of your thoughts. (and no I will not wrestle the post man as he emerges from his cart---come to think of it, though, he is nice...hum (stop it...i do have some dignity here. ;) )) but i would really love to burn the stuff. nah no fire big enough.

again, thanks all!

so it all goes in this can as soon as I bring it in the house, except I kind of pull out all my bills but sometimes I miss one or two:( .

janesays--i do not get my bills through the mail. ;) i have them sent directly to my checking account. I would never even be able to look at my mail if i had to cull through the stuff :confused: and find my bills. i have lost so many bills in the past when using that strategy. :mad: