Stop the Flow of Junk Mail

Junk mail is a triple threat: It tries your patience, jeopardizes your identity and spoils the environment. But without too much effort, you can give yourself peace of mind and an uncluttered mailbox.

Register with the Direct Marketing Association to remove your name from its national mailing list. The service is free if you register online, or $1 by mail.

Reject preapproved offers from credit card companies by visiting http://https://www.optoutprescreen.com or calling 888-567-8688.

Sign up free at http://www.catalogchoice.org, and the site will do the grunt work to get you off mailing lists for catalogues you don't want.

Pay a $20 annual fee, and GreenDimes will remove your name from catalogue and other direct-mail lists, plus plant up to 10 trees.

For $41, 41pounds.org -- named for the weight in junk mail the average adult receives each year -- will contact several dozen direct-mail companies on your behalf. In addition, $15 of your fee goes to your choice among the group's nonprofit affiliates.