Financial Communication – Bills, Offers & Letters

All of the financial communication I receive is TIME CONSUMING. My method to the madness is to pay our family bills two times per month…on the 6th and 21st. This lines up with our pay schedule well and is simple for me to manage. Any of the bills I get before the 6th are paid that day and any bills I get before the 21st are paid that day. However, before I even start paying, I open all of my mail. YIKES! Between all of the credit cards offers, bills, letters and advertisements…it can take up to a hour! I find my email inbox to be just as daunting. How on earth did I get signed up for all of this?

Here Are Some Simple Ideas For Minimizing Financial Communication:

• UNSUBSCRIBE: Do not simply delete emails, but actually take the time to hit the unsubscribe button! If you clear out the amount coming to you, you are solving the problem for the long term.
• Choose Preferences: Many creditors and companies alike will let you choose! I suggest getting all of your bills sent ONE way only. Choose whether you like physical bills in the mail or if you prefer an email. Make sure you are NOT signed up for both.
• Opt Out: You can visit optoutprescreen.com and select not to receive pre-screened credit offers permanently or for 5 years. This could go a long way in minimizing your mail!
• Sort It Out: When I go through my mail I sort everything into pay/keep, recycle or shred. When I am on top of things my recycle pile fills up the fastest!
• Auto Pay: I am a self-admitted control freak. I don’t personally like the idea of things coming out “automatically”. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t the right option for you. If you are on salary and are good at sticking to your budget goals, then by all means you should automate your payments. Set it and forget about it!

In conclusion, you should do what works for you! Don’t be afraid to manage and control how you are communicated with. If you don’t take hold of the situation, it will for sure take hold of you!