I have a confession to make, I have 5 email accounts, all for different purposes. One hotmail account in my maiden name, three gmail accounts and one for my small business account. Having 5 accounts does not fall under the simple living category and I felt that I was wasting so much time dealing with them all. Not now. I have a much better system which only requires me to deal with two accounts, and it’s cut down my email time immensely, giving me more time to read blogs!
My Email
1. Hotmail Account: Mailing Lists and Paypal account
In the past I must have signed up to hundreds of mailing lists and received over 30 mail outs every day into this account. Well no more. It’s taken a couple of minutes to do it every day, but I’ve been systematically unsubscribing to everything. Now, when I open that in box I’m not wasting time deleting rubbish or resisting temptation to buy lovely new things. I’ve kept this account as to change your paypal verifyed email address is not easy, although I am going to look into this. I can then close this account.
2. Gmail Account: Main account
This is now my main account. I have my other two gmail accounts (blog email accounts) and small business email forwarded to this address so that I only have to deal with the one in box. Much simpler. I’ve made it a rule not to sign up to any mailing lists to this account, keeping it free from junk. I’m also in the process of moving all my paper free accounts over to here too.
For further tips on handling email Simple Mom has some great tips here and here
How many email accounts do you have? Do you have a system?
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photo credit: farid iqbal
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have two accounts, but only use one of them regularly. Plenty of old abandoned accounts as well along the way…
Like you, I have also been taking the time to hit “unsubscribe”. Less to read in my inbox, no more disappointment when I see “You have 10 new messages” and they are all marketing! and also less temptation to shop. Have only kept my very very favourites that send out discount offers by email
…..dangerous.
Hello there
Oh it is such a good feeling to not have a full junk/spam box, or an inbox full of ’subscriptions’ that you aren’t really interested in – I did this very thing about a year ago and I can tell you it is worth it.
Your 2 accounts sound sufficient, similar to my set up. One for the ‘house’ and family and another for blogs, crafty interests and other things
Take care
Cathy
hhmm….I have a few too, I’d love to have 1 and 1 only! When I saw the picture I thought you were going to be blogging about cleaning out your bird feeder, this will be interesting thought I!