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Make It Easy

BY BETH TERRY

Thursday, July 19, 2001

Stop junk mail and
pare subscriptions
to lighten load

What can you do today to simplify your life? I start my day with that question. You will discover numerous creative ways to simplify if you just keep asking. Here some ideas:

Get off mailing and telemarketers lists. How? Direct Marketing Association has a Web site. Go to these URL's for each, respectively:

www.the-dma.org/cgi/offmailinglistdave

www.the-dma.org/cgi/offtelephonedave

If you don't have a computer, write to Mail Preference Service (or Telephone Preference Service); ATTN: Preference Service Manager, Direct Marketing Association; PO Box 3079; Grand Central Station, NY 10163.

Rethink your subscriptions. How many magazines do you need to receive at the house or office? I would gladly pay for online subscriptions to my favorite magazines and newspapers if it means less to lug around, less to feel guilty about and fewer trees to kill. I reduced mine from 32 periodicals per month down to 10. It makes a huge difference in my office landfill.

Pare down your library. I am famous for pack-ratting books. Recently due to space, I was forced to look at each one with a more critical eye. Some are collector's items, some are outdated and useless. I will keep my history book from 1863. My encyclopedia with Reagan as the current president goes to Goodwill. I'm passing on old reference books to speakers who are just getting started. What can you pass on?

Go through your junk drawers. Quite a treasure trove, eh? I think my stuff has wild parties late at night while we sleep and it invites friends over. How else does that all accumulate? Decide you will have only one drawer. Most can be tossed and replaced at the dollar store for next to nothing when you "really need it."

Create efficient systems. I use one credit card for my gas purchases. After each fill-up, I annoy the person behind me by taking a moment to write down the mileage on the receipt. I have a special place in my wallet for the receipts. Each night I empty my receipts into an "Input" folder. Once a month or so, they get input into Quicken®, and my CPA is very happy with me.

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Beth Terry is president of Pacific Rim Seminars.
This column is excerpted from her upcoming book,
101 Ways to Make Your Life Easier. Send questions
on management, customer service and other issues
to beth@bethterry.com.