Mail Call

I'll admit it. I've bought into the "Go Green" rah-rah commotion. Actually, I know this sounds dorky, but it's so satisfying to recycle. Growing up in the suburbs, we always recycled. In fact, if I sorted the cans and bottles, and helped bring them to the redemption center, my parents used to let me keep the money. Hey, when you are a kid, $5 is "a lotta" money.

A few weeks ago, I went out an bought these two super cute tall rattan baskets with tops...one for paper, one for plastic. Now that I don't drink soda, and avoid high sodium canned food, rarely is there any aluminum in our apartment. Since purchasing the baskets, we have much less garbage. Maybe 1 bag every 5 days-and that's only after we combine the bathroom and our bedroom trash cans. Go us!

Where was I going with this? Oh yeah. In college, where I became an email/computer/facebook slut, I started doing all my banking and bill paying online. It greatly reduced the amount of mail I received. I also stopped requesting catalogues and would strictly look at the goods online. Seems like a good idea, right? However, the one thing that never seemed to cease was the credit card offers. I cannot tell you how many mailings I would get weekly offering me the "best APR" around, 0% financing, "No fees for 1 year". It's insanity people. Did I mention that the offers come addressed to the most ludicrous names? Kessy Seller-Kelley Seffler-Kally Sesfler, come on people! If you are going to tempt me, at least get my name correct! I only have 1 credit card, thankyouverymuch, and I am quite content with it. I pay my bill each month, never carry a balance, and get pretty decent rewards with it. Wait, I'm getting off topic again. Sorry.

Back on track. Again. Okay, ready, set, go! Junk mail. I thought I was being so smart and taking advantage of the online options, but suddenly I find my email inbox filled with unsolicited emails, clearly my address was just sold and spammed out over the net. For a while I was replying to the "Unsubscribe" feature, but useless, the spam kept coming, even through my spam filter. It's not so much that I mind the occasional junk offer, but I'm contemplating going wireless with a blackberry (gasp! she's becoming a true "New Yorker") and I don't want to get all riled up with new emails only to be let down realizing it's another "Free sample of Viage" email.

I decided to end this email nonsense today. Especially after returning from my vacation to over 250 emails, most of which were SPAM-A-LISCIOUS. After a trusty google search, I came across this website, Direct Marketing Association. It gives plenty of suggestion for how to cut down on junk mail/emails . Click here to join DMA’s eMail Preference Service (eMPS that ) allows consumers to indicate their wish to reduce the amount of unsolicited commercial email they receive. I joined, and if you like, you should too!

Feeling satisfied with my accomplishments, I sought out some more information on recycling and "Going Green" in New York. I was happily surprised to come across the New York "Wastele$$" website. Check it out, it has some really useful tips, even if you don't live in NY.

I guess I can get off my soapbox now, I feel satisfied. The end.