9 Practical New Year's Resolutions for Busy Parents

I don't know about you, but by Fridays there are so many separate stacks of mail around my house it's a miracle we aren't hit with 16 late charges each month. Additionally, there is probably about a tree's worth of junk mingled in with those stacks. According to Beth Randall, owner of Joe Organizer in Plainfield, Illinois, people should eliminate as much as they can from their mail. She suggests, "Contact the Direct Marketing Association to get removed from their distribution list."

Beyond that, Beth proposes a daily mail organization strategy. "After you collect your mail, stop by the recycle bin or garbage and throw away all the junk. Respond to invitations immediately, then record the information on your calendar and throw out the invite. All other mail items should go into a categorized file box for ease in paying bills on time and locating items when you need them."