If you're feeling stressed by the never-ending pile of junk mail that collects on the kitchen table or those telemarketing calls that catch you right in the middle of dinner, it's time to take control and de-clutter! When you get rid of mental and physical clutter, you feel lighter, less stressed, and more empowered.

Start banishing your stress now by reducing the amount of paper and intrusive phone calls. Here are a few quick tips.

Telemarketing Calls

If you want to halt the telemarketers, sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry, which is run by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It seems to be working: According to the FTC, the most recent Harris Interactive Poll® reported that 92 percent of the people who put their phone numbers on the registry said they were receiving fewer calls.

	How to add your phone number: Go to DoNotCall.gov and click on "register now" or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to add and follow the prompts. It only takes about 30 seconds. If you sign up online, you will have to give your email address; make sure to click on the confirmation link that's sent.
	How it works: It can take about a month for the calls to stop. If you've been on the list for at least 31 days and you're still getting calls, visit DoNotCall.gov to see about filing a complaint.
	The caveat: The National Do Not Call Registry does not apply to political organizations, charities, or telephone surveyors, so you still may get those types of calls. Ask the caller if his or her organization keeps a list of numbers it's been asked not to call, and tell the caller you want to add your name to it. The website JunkBusters.com offers a great script that helps you figure out whether the call is being made from a telemarketing bureau or an exempt organization.

Junk Mail

There are various organizations—many of them direct marketing companies—that help consumers get off mailing lists. Here are some links to check out.

	Visit OptOutPrescreen.com, the official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website, to opt out of receiving all those "preapproval" offers from insurance and credit card companies.
	Sign up for the National Do Not Mail List. Direct Mail sells all kinds of mailing lists to companies peddling their products to consumers. However, they've also started a "do not mail registry" that helps consumers get off the direct marketing lists.
	Sign up for the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service. There is a $1 fee (which can be charged via credit card).
	Go the old-fashioned route. You always can call, email, or send a letter to any organizations that send you unwanted mail and tell them you want to be removed from their mailing list. For example, if you purchase something from a catalog or a store with a catalog, they will keep sending you catalogs, because companies you do business with are exempt from the "do not mail" lists. It takes extra diligence to get off these lists.

Take just a few minutes to get your name off the calling and mailing lists. It can go a long way toward a less stressful, more peaceful existence! There are some great consumer advocacy sites, such as PrivacyRights.org, that offer even more great (and free) advice on privacy, de-cluttering, and kicking junk to the curb.