Want to reduce paper waste and clutter? Start by setting up paperless banking, which also allows you to electronically transfer money online. We’re partnering with WesternUnion.com to show you how to get paperless banking going and to easily send money online.
Why Bother?
Paper is one of the largest sources of clutter at home and in the office. Bills and bank statements are some of the most constant sources of wasteful paper you probably have that you could get rid of. Going paperless will immediately reduce the amount of paper cluttering up your house.
Making paper also takes a big toll on the environment. The US EPA says the average American uses the equivalent of about one 100-foot-tall Douglas fir tree every year. Going paperless saves trees and stops the pollution caused by cutting trees down, turning them into pulp, bleaching them (often with toxic chemicals), and creating paper. Going paperless is a total environmental win!
Going paperless also may reduce identity theft. Many people don’t bother shredding their bills before they throw them out, or even recycle them. That makes their personal information vulnerable to anyone who wants to rifle through their trash or recycling bin.
Online banking and money transfers save time, too. Rather than file bank statements, pay and file individual bills, write and mail checks, or physically have to go to a bank, you can deal with it all online. Easy peasy!
Plus, you can download apps on your mobile device so you can bank, pay bills, and transfer money all from your phone, if needed.
How To Do It
Almost every bank in the U.S. now offers paperless banking. All you need to do to take advantage of it is create an online account and agree to have your bank statements emailed to you rather than paper mailed. Once you do, it becomes very easy to monitor your bank account, or accounts if you have more than one.
You can also set up online billing so that, not only are you getting bank statements mailed to you, but credit card and other bills as well. Then, you can pay those bills electronically with no need to write paper checks, mail them in paper envelopes, and add a stamp!
If you need to send money to someone, you can easily do that, as well. In the case of Western Union, you can electronically transfer money directly to a bank account with no paper involved. You can also send money for cash pick up or to a mobile wallet, all without needing to use any paper.
Paperless and Online Is The Name of the Game
If you worry your electronic bills and transactions might get lost among your other email, you can set up a new email address just to receive your bills and billing statements. You can also set your calendar to notify you when a particular bill is due and payment must be made.
Here’s one more benefit: convenience. You can download your bank statements and billing history to your own computer, so you always have access to your accounts. With your mobile apps, you can pay bills or send money from wherever you area.
It’s Quick and Easy
Every bank makes it easy to switch to online banking. Create an account, then just start using it. The system is similar for setting up an account to transfer money from an account to a recipient.
You can get more information from Western Union on how to easily send money online here.
NOTE: Partners and sponsors enable us to bring you the expert content you need to lead the greener life you want. All editorial opinions remain our own.
