Today I decided to take a simple step towards my vision of a more peaceful earth by formally completing an “opt-out” form to (hopefully) reduce the quantity of unsolicited mail I receive. After “Googling” for ‘remove name credit card solicitations” I found www.optoutprescreen.com on the Federal Trade Commission website (or it says you can call toll-free 1-888-5-OPT-OUT or 1-888-567-8688); the phone number and website are operated by the major consumer reporting companies.

I clicked the link. I choose “Electronic Opt-Out for Five Years: Your name will not be eligible for inclusion on lists used for Firm Offers of credit or insurance for five years” because the permanent option requires printing something out to mail in & I want to accomplish this task now. I completed the form and submitted it. The entire process took less than 3 minutes. And so after clicking “End Session” I repeated the process with my maidan name and then did it for my husband as well.

I ‘Confirm’ my request to exclude my name on lists used for firm offers of credit or insurance. I hereby affirm that all information entered is my own and true, to the best of my knowledge.

And with that my first New Years Resolution is complete: an attempt to reduce unsolicited mail both to reduce the paper waste generated and politely say NO to the offers of credit and insurance I don’t need. A means towards walking a bit more gently over the earth.