Turn over a new leaf with 7 tips to go paperless

7 Ways to Go Paperless

Every April, Earth Day serves as a reminder that improving and sustaining our environment is everyone’s responsibility. At GM Financial, we’re doing our part by encouraging customers to go paperless. Not only can it help save a few trees by reducing paper usage, but going paperless can reduce clutter, secure some of your most valuable information and simplify the bill-paying process

Get started by logging in or registering for MyAccount and selecting the Go Paperless option. Here are a few other ways you can reduce your paper usage.

1. Mobilize your shopping list
   The traditional spiral-bound notebook might be your shopping security blanket, but it’s time to embrace the digital age. Start putting your list in a place that you can access anywhere: Your smartphone.
   
   With several list-making apps to choose from, your lists can be accessible, synced and cloud-secured. Having access to your list at all times can help reduce mental strain and keep you more organized.
2. Turn a different page
   Although nothing can ever replace the touch and smell of a printed book, e-readers are a flexible, lightweight alternative to ink and paper. E-reader apps for smartphones and tablets are another good way to keep your library in your pocket without purchasing an additional device.
3. Put sticky notes in the past
   Notepad reminders and sticky notes might be a part of your regular routine, but with technology at your fingertips 24/7, there are plenty of reasons to better your forgetfulness by using smartphone apps.
4. Account for the expenses
   Keeping track of receipts and mileage is a tedious necessity for tracking expenses for reimbursement or tax purposes. Instead of trying to remember to sort through the pile of paper on your desk, use receipt-tracking apps to take a snapshot of receipts and digitally track them. You can further reduce paper usage by opting for emailed receipts from the stores and restaurants that offer it.
5. Mobile check-in
   Checking in to your flight used to involve printing a boarding pass at home or at the airport. Now, most airports are able to scan a boarding pass on your phone or smartwatch. Look for your airline’s app to see if this paperless option is available.
6. Embrace the PDF
   Going all in with a paperless system is simpler than you think. Choose the “Print to PDF” or “Save as PDF” option to retain files digitally instead of printing them. You can also download digital versions of many instruction manuals rather than printing them. Finally, using mobile scanning apps or a scanner to import pages digitally allows you to back up the important stuff in a cloud-based service for a more secure and less cluttered solution.
7. Recycle the extra
   As you start to create and compile digital backups of existing paper documents and files, shred sensitive documents and close the loop on conservation by recycling all of the paper you no longer need. Remember, even though you might be moving toward a post-paper world, some physical copies of documents need to be retained, including:

—Mortgage and lending paperwork
—Deeds
—Marriage license
—Birth records
—Will
—Other legal documents

By Scooter Hendon, GM Financial

Scooter Hendon might work indoors, but his heart is in the outdoors. Whether he's with his family or flying solo, he loves a good camping, backpacking or hiking adventure. When Scooter’s not hitting the road in his Chevy Silverado to a state or national park, he’s saving up for his next trip.