Even though we're living in an electronic world, snail mail is here to stay. However, there are quite a few things you can do to make your mail sending and receiving duties easy and effective.
Sorting
As soon as the mail arrives or at a designated time each day, sort it. Don't let it pile up. Do it before your next mail delivery.
Responding
A great way to take care of incoming mail questions is to hand write a note on the original letter and mail or fax it back immediately. In many cases, there's no need to take the time to type a formal note back.
Sending
Create your own mail station. Include:
- Postage for whatever denominations you regularly use
- Postage meter
- Current list of postal charges available from the post office
- Zip code chart
- Mailing paper
- Strong mailing tape and everyday tape
- Mailing labels
- Envelopes (letter, large, bubble–filled)
- Forms for special mail (registered, certified, priority)
- Stapler, staples, and staple remover
- Pens and markers
- A wet sponge (unless everything is self–stick)
Self-stick
Instead of licking envelopes to seal them, get the self–stick kind. If they are outside of your budget, use a water squeeze bottle with a sponge designed specifically for this purpose or a glue stick. This is especially helpful and time saving if you have to seal a volume of envelopes. Also, use self–adhesive stamps.
Stock up
If you are constantly mailing things, gather 100 envelopes, 100 stamps, and 100 return address labels. Pre–stamp and pre–label the envelopes so they're ready to go when you need them.
Save a trip to the post office and order your stamps by mail or fax. Don't buy just a few stamps at a time. Buy at least 100 or more.
Author information: Maria Gracia is the author of Finally Organized, Finally Free. For more information about organizing your office, home, or life, go to Gracia's Web site, Get Organized Now.
