So, in the quest for the 4 hour work week, every minute counts. Don’t you hate it when you get unsolicited credit card applications in the mail? If you’re self-conscious about identity theft, as I am, you know that you aren’t supposed to just throw that in the trash (or worse, recycling, which leaves your information even more in the open). The right action is to shred the applications, since a dumpster-diver can easily recover the application and with a few other bits of knowledge, make an application on your behalf.

The problem is that my previous shredder wouldn’t just eat the whole envelope. Like most consumer shredders, it barely could eat five pages at a time. Those credit card applications with the “fake” credit cards would easily jam the shredder if I just tossed it in. So, I would have to open up the envelopes and feed in the application a few sheets at a time, tossing the fake card in the process.

While this might not seem like a lot of time, it piles up. I would have a stack of things to shred, and easily spend an hour or two going through that pile (yes, I do get that much junk mail). I wanted to cut that time down to zero. So I needed a shredder that can eat through any junk mail I tossed at it, the whole envelope and all. Right from mailbox to shredder, basically.

So, after a few minutes of searching on Amazon.com, I found the Fellowes Powershredder PS-77Cs, and I have to say it’s been working like a charm for a month! And it cost less than $120. A good outsourcing decision, if I say so.

Here’s some more specs on this paper-eating monster:

• SafeSense sensor stops shredding the instant paper is touched
• Can process CDs, small paperclips, credit cards and staples
• Shreds up to 12 sheets per pass, at a rate of 11 feet per minute
• 9″ paper entry width; 7-gallon basket
• Creates confetti shreds; includes five-year warranty on cutter
• Amazon.com Sales Rank:

  Popular in this category: (What’s this?)

  #2 in

  Electronics > Office Electronics > Other Office Equipment > Shredders

Equipped with a 9″ wide front feed paper entry, the PS-77Cs easily accepts standard letter or legal size documents. The durable steel cutters accept credit cards, staples and small paper clips, also shreds CDS in a designated slot safely. Quiet operation is perfect for use in office cubicles. Electronic auto start/stop feature ensures quick & easy automatic shredder operation. Shredder automatically shuts off and alerts the operator when a jam occurs, 7-gallon pull-out wastebasket is ajar or shredder is overheated. A clear window allows user to see if the 7-gallon wastebasket is full, while the convenient sheet capacity gauge helps prevent paper jams. Fellowes includes a five-year warranty on the cutter.

I’m not being paid to post this. I really am serious. One less thing to worry about, a few minutes shaved off each day, a few hours each month. If you are a productivity zealot, search for all your time wasters and conquer them when you can.

For those of you saying that I should just call the credit companies to get me off the list of people who accept credit card solicitations, let me tell you that it really doesn’t work. The moment you move or something changes in your information, you’ll get them. It takes less time for me to chuck it in the shredder than it does to deal with Trans Union, Experian, or Equifax.

Shred through your time wasters. Get a more productive shredder!