Comments on: What do YOU do with your snail mail? – a guest post by Marissa Bracke

By: Waverly Fitzgerald

Waverly Fitzgerald — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:32:42 +0000

What a great topic! I do have one clever strategy that seems to be unique for events I want to remember. I have a file by my desk with all the date-related pieces of paper: concerts, invites to parties, print-outs from email of interesting events, deadlines for writing contests, classes I want to take, etc. I put them there as soon as they come in, then sort them once a week when I’m reviewing my schedule for the week. That’s when I enter the ones I want to track in my calendar but I keep the hard copies for reference, in more or less chronological order. That way when it’s the week of the event, I can grab my papers, tuck them into my calendar and know I have all the information at my fingertips. It’s harder to figure out what to do with the ones I have to ponder (do I want to sign up for this class?). Generally, I keep them on top of the stack and keep coming up every week for me to consider. Until usually it’s too late and I toss them out.

By: Lori Paximadis

Lori Paximadis — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:09:05 +0000

For outgoing cards, I do a similar thing. I make a to-do note on my calendar four mailing days before each event to mail the card. I buy cards in batches a couple of times a year for all the upcoming events (I have a list of who needs cards when), so they’re always on hand. Saves a lot of last-minute running around and panic in trying to find the right card under pressure.
Lori Paximadis´s last blog ..tidbits: turkey edition

By: Darcy

Darcy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:57:32 +0000

One thing I do for outgoing snail mail is that I have a lovely porcelain letter sealer, and using it is so much fun, I can’t wait to get a chance to do so (not that I don’t send cards out late sometimes, but it helps). It’s a smooth white wheel that rotates in a little reservoir of water, simple elegant design. I bought it for myself after leaving a job I didn’t like– they had one at that office and rather than being sorry to part with using it, I got my own. I love the idea of scheduling getting a card ready to mail and am totally going to try doing that.
Darcy´s last blog ..Book: Jacquard’s Web

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:30:48 +0000

I’m right with you on the junk mail! I throw mine into my office recycling bag before I put anything down.

Other stuff that works well for me:
*I pay bills as soon as I get them. When I open them, I’m in my office with my computer, and I just set up the payment that very minute.
*I have a standing file with thirteen pockets — one for each month — and I just drop things I don’t really need to see but want to save (hello, bank statements!) in there. If I don’t put them straight in, it gets ugly.

For outgoing mail like cards and letters, I add them to my calendar. I also keep the addresses of my Most Important People with a book of stamps in my purse, for those times when you happen across the perfect card in, you know, the grocery store or something.

Thing I’m not so good about: I always think I want to look at particular catalogs, but end up recycling them unseen two months later. Dear Self: you don’t read them! Love, me.
Sarah´s last blog ..Presence

By: jennifer

jennifer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:50:35 +0000

@Lori – I love your description… I can almost see an imaginary line on the path that your snail mail travels (like Family Circus Billy’s romps through the yard). You’ve learned some great tricks to keep things from disappearing on you. How great!

@Sarah – Happy to keep you in “noticing” mode. : ) It can be a challenge to keep everything moving forward at the same time, so I applaud your noticing what might be in need of your attention next!

By: Sarah Tieck

Sarah Tieck — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:56:55 +0000

Oh, Marissa (and Jen),

How timely this is! I’ve been feeling a bit “behind” lately because I’ve taken a break between big bursts of productivity to recharge. But, the dishes keep piling up, the laundry … and now, the mail. I was just noticing today how there are little piles of it in the office, the kitchen, the dining room table, and the basement.

Good to catch it now … before those piles harden and grow new layers! Hee hee!

By: Lori Paximadis

Lori Paximadis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:21:20 +0000

I sort mail immediately when I bring it in. My husband’s stuff goes in a pile for him. I bring mine to my desk for sorting into shred, recycle, read, and action categories. We have a basket for paper recycling and a shredder in the office.

I sort my read pile into two smaller piles; one for the coffee table to deal with in the evenings when the TV is on, and the other for my nightstand. I’m having a hard time coming up with an easily explained “rule” for what goes where; the coffee-table stuff is generally lighter fare (flip-through-able, like Lucky magazine or my alumni magazine) or super timely (like the newspaper), whereas nightstand stuff is meatier (like Smithsonian magazine).

The action pile gets broken down further. Bills to be paid go in a little basket designated for them. Things that need to be added to my calendar are piled on top of my calendar (and are dealt with first, after I’m done sorting the mail). I created a “think about it” folder for those things that sound interesting, but I for whatever reason can’t make a decision on yet (conferences, shows, fundraisers); I go through that folder every couple weeks or so to see if any of it still appeals and take action on those things that do.

I, too, struggle with the desk pile. I’m an out of sight, out of mind girl, so putting the in-between stuff in a folder somewhere just won’t cut it. I try to deal with the pile every few days to keep it to a manageable size, and I put the critical items in that pile on my to-do list so I don’t forget them.
Lori Paximadis´s last blog ..Studio Tour