Do you often find yourself overwhelmed by all the paper in your home? Have you ever just "swept" all the papers from the desktop,  the  kitchen table, and other horizontal surfaces into a box to get it out of your sight? This box joins other "stash and dash" boxes in the closet, the garage, basement or storage area, and often they are never touched again. We know, we see it in many, many homes. You are not alone!

It is time to take control of the paper instead of letting the paper control you. Major Mom is here to help! The first step is to control all the INCOMING PAPERS. We have some tips on managing all the paper coming into your home, so you will....
*Never receive another late fee!
*Find the permission slip for your child in a snap!
*Mail rebates in time to get your money back! 

Major Mom has clients each week who call because they are overwhelmed with household papers. Follow the Major Mom system of "S.T.E.P.S." - Sort, Treasures, Establish a home, Put it away, Start new habits - to gain control of paper clutter in your home.

Sort: Gather all the papers from throughout your home.  Put them into labeled piles. Some examples could be:

• TO DO (including forms to fill out and turn in, bills to pay)

• PENDING (such as a rebate you are waiting on, or an upcoming event invitation)

• FILE OR PUT AWAY (such as paid bills or insurance statements).

• RECYCLE

• SHRED

Treasures: Go through each pile and identify your "treasures" or papers that need to be kept, and those that are just extra clutter. For example, if you pay your bills online, discard the outer envelope, any inserts you don't need, as well as the inner mailing envelope and just keep the bill.

Establish a Home:  Select an area in your home, such as a desk, nook, or counter space to set-up a paper management center. Have an "incoming" basket for all paperwork as it comes into your home, and establish time each week to sort through it. 

Put it Away:  Place papers into a 3 shelf file organizer, labeled To do, Pending, and To File/Put Away.  As paperwork enters your home, via the mail or from your kids' school, ensure it all makes it to the incoming basket, rather than stacking throughout your home.

Start New Habits:  A site recommended by the Federal Trade Commission to stop unwanted credit card offers:  www.optoutprescreen.com. To opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail from many national companies for five years, visit www.dmachoice.org.  You can minimize the junk mail you get by registering at www.donotmail.org.