Posted by Lending Club :: February 13, 2008 @ 7:01 am

The Lending Club blog has covered a wide array of topics since its inception. From product-specific details, such as how to apply for a low interest rate person-to-person loan, to more abstract areas of the personal finance realm, we’ve got you covered. The post on how to opt-out of prescreened credit card offers was one of the most popular we’ve ever had. Another service, quickly gaining popularity, can help you cut back on unwanted mail even more.

The service is available at catalogchoice.org. As you may have guessed from the name, this free service allows you to opt out of receiving catalogs that you no longer wish to receive. Unlike the pre-screened credit card opt-out service, Catalog Choice does not eliminate all catalogs with a simple click. That’s actually a good thing though, since it allows you to keep getting catalogs that you do enjoy. You have to individually enter those catalogs that you no longer wish to receive. Not all catalogs are available for opt-out through their website, but you can request that they add the opt-out option for any catalogs that you don’t see.

One of the main reasons that Catalog Choice offers this service is to reduce the amount of trees cut down for catalogs that recipients simply throw away. In their February issue, Real Simple magazine reports that 8 million tons of trees are used each year for the production of paper catalogs.

If that wasn’t reason enough to opt out of any catalogs that you don’t read, remember the added risk of identity theft for each item that you receive in the mail. Even those diligent about shredding all of their mail (junk or otherwise) before throwing it out may miss the address label on the occasional catalog, particularly if they receive many of them. So consider opting out of some of your catalogs today. You’ll help to save a tree and protect your identity all at the same time.