How To Make Money From Junk Mail
Why You Should Check Before Throwing Unsolicited Mail in the Bin
Everyone gets too much "junk" mail. But before consigning this stuff to the recycling bin, it is worth looking through it. Unsolicited mail often includes special offers, discounts, samples of products, and other useful items. One can make money from it!
Products the Recipient Will Need at Some Time
Everyone buys home and car insurance, holidays, and items for the home at some point. Many companies target potential new customers through the mail, and their promotional literature may offer discounts. It is worth looking out for the relevant offers if you plan to buy these goods, whether now or in the future.
Discount Vouchers
Many organizations offer money-off or other discount vouchers through the mail. Again, anyone who may buy these items at some point would do well to keep them. Even if that particular item is not required, some shops will accept money-off vouchers for other shopping. This is particularly true in the case of small or ‘corner’ shops, especially if the voucher recipient is a regular customer. These discount vouchers may be for small amounts of money, but they can add up to pounds or dollars if used regularly.
Free Samples
No-one ever expects to get something for nothing. But one can sometimes do just that with junk mail. Free samples are a popular way to introduce new products, in particular laundry and food items. So it really is worth checking carefully before consigning the whole lot to the rubbish bin.
Competitions and Free Draws
Many companies have promotional literature offering competitions and free draws, often with valuable prizes such as cars or holidays. For busy people, it is tempting to just throw such mail away, especially as one usually has to wade through a great deal of "bumph" before finding the relevant form or letter which is needed for the competition. But it is always worth trying these, particularly if the postage is free. After all, someone has to win…and it might be you!
Market Research Surveys
Surveys are another common junk mail item. Again, those people with full lives are often tempted to discard these items. But many of them offer a free draw with prizes, or samples of items which the recipient uses. So it is worthwhile to fill them in and send them off.
Junk mail arrives whether one likes it or not. So it is a good idea to make it work for you. It can be a useful source of pin money in the longer term.
Source:
McCallion, Pauline, et al. Shopping on a Budget. London: Flame Tree Publishing, 2008.
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