I know it might be hard to remember, but there was a time before email. A time when correspondence had to be delivered the old fashioned way, with pen (or typewriter) to paper. And a time when mail was actually something to look forward to getting.

These days, however, all mail has become an annoying chore. We deal with email all day at work, and then come home to boxes full of bills and junk mail. With the pervasiveness of social media, who sends thoughtful notes or love letters? Life is very busy and I admit, with all my organizational goals, there are some weeks where my mail pile grows larger than I would like it.

But to help keep that from happening, if I am disciplined, these 5 tips help keep my mailbox from overflowing and overwhelming my already hectic schedule.