Money Saving Tips

Going Green While Managing Your Finances

By Felicia Sheffield PhD

The average person gets roughly 40 pounds of junk mail a year. This translates into an estimated 4 million tons of junk mail in the U.S. alone. Below are some simple “Green Tips” that can help you save the planet while you are managing your finances.

1. Request Paperless (Electronic) Statements:

Ask for electronic statements for your utilities, mortgage statements and credit cards. This act alone will save hundreds of trees over your lifetime. It will also help cut down on the paper clutter in your home and the need for storage files.

2. Stop Junk Mail:

Most consumers receive junk mail 2-3 times a week. More than half of the junk mail is never read and eventually ends up in the garbage can. Write to have you address removed from the junk mail list.

Send a letter plus a $1 check or money order to:

Mail Preference Service

Direct Marketing Association
 
PO Box 643

Carmel, NY 10512

3. Opt out of Preapproved Credit Card Offers:

Call or write to have your name removed from preapproved credit card offers. This will also minimize your risk of identity theft. Thieves often watch your mailbox for the preapproved credit cards or they divert them to a different mailing address without your knowledge. You can opt out of preapproved offers for five years or permanently.

A toll-free number enables consumers to opt-out of all pre-approved credit offers with just one phone call. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) for more information.

4. Pay Your Bills Online:

Most banks offer free bill pay services. Your bank will send a check for your bills with a simple click of the button. Another option is to pay directly from the website of your creditor.

Remember it is responsibility to protect and save our planet, not only for ourselves but for future generations.

About the Author:

Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, author, trainer, international speaker and life coach. Dr. Sheffield has over 15 years of experience providing services to parents, schools, colleges, universities, and social services agencies. For additional articles on college, parenting, ADHD, and LD visit http://www.psychcore.com

Copyright © 2008, Felecia D. Sheffield. PhD. All Rights Reserved Worldwide in all Media. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and author bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.

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