Course Catalog / BMU 030 / Job aid
Mail Decoder
Keep it by your mail pile or on your phone.
The four questions
- ☐ Who sent it?
- ☐ What does it want?
- ☐ By when?
- ☐ What is my next step?
Hard words
- ☐ Read the words around it
- ☐ Look it up on your phone
- ☐ Listen with read aloud
- ☐ Add it to your word list
Skim, then read close
- ☐ Title, headings, dates, amounts
- ☐ Main point at the start or end
- ☐ Read the action parts slowly
Sort it
- ☐ Must do: must, required, due by
- ☐ Can do: may, optional
- ☐ Just so you know: for your records
- ☐ Must do first, soonest date on top
Sum it up and get help
- ☐ Two or three sentences in your words
- ☐ 211: local help, 24 hours
- ☐ Legal aid: lsc.gov
- ☐ Odd letter? Call the sender at a number you trust
Use it
- In 7 days: Use the Mail Decoder on one more letter.
- In 30 days: Sort a month of mail and retake the self check.
- Put both dates on your calendar now.