Being "Green" for the Holidays

NOTE: This post has been edited to correct the web site link for Catalog Choice.

Recently I've been looking for ways that I can cut back on the use of electricity, gas and paper around our house. I've been a BIG paper recycler for years and with the expense of electricity and gas over the last couple of years I've wanted to cut back to save money.

At the same time, I've been reminded what precious commodities these are and how we are responsible for using them responsibly. We need to be responsible so that we don't run out of these resources and as a way of taking care of our earthly home that was created for us by God. For example, waste paper and we lose ALOT of trees. Our planet would be in serious trouble without the trees.

This week I discovered a web site that could help us all take part in a great way to save paper. And, here's an added benefit.... keep some of the junk out of our mailboxes! I don't know about you but my mailbox is packed to the brim this time of year with all sorts of mail order catalogs that I don't even open. I've been looking for a long time for an easy way to remove my name from mailing lists on all these catalogs.

This website is Catalog Choice. Here's how it works...

~ First, create an account.

~ As all those unwanted catalogs begin showing up in the mailbox log into your account, choose the search option and enter in each catalog name.

~ If it is a catalog company they work with you will be asked to enter the customer code and key code from the address label on the catalog, then enter a reason code for why you no longer wish to receive.

~ Catalog Choice will contact the company to have your name removed from their mailing list.

~ If you find you are still receiving it in the future you can go back to your account and click an option called "Still Receiving?" and Catalog Choice will make another contact to have your name removed from the list.

~ If you have a catalog from a company that is in their database but does not work with Catalog Choice you will receive a message saying they are unable to assist you with this particular catalog.

~ If the catalog is not in their database, you will have an option to go ahead and enter the name. If Catalog Choice should ever begin working with that company in the future you will be notified via email.

Another really great thing about this website? It's all FREE! They are funded by several "green" foundations so this service is provided to us, the consumers, at no cost.

I've already entered several catalogs in this afternoon and, I'm sure, will do many more during the next few months. Please join me in my effort to clean out my mailbox and cut down on the use of paper and printing costs in our country!

Have a great weekend!