Commentary: Utility bills come with too much ephemera

I have a confession. In all the years that I have been paying bills — let’s say, 57 — I have never read any of the fliers, leaflets, pamphlets or ads that come in the envelopes with the statements of what I owe.

But, having some spare time, I decided to skim a month’s worth, an exercise that confirmed what I already believed.

I do not want DirecTV. I do not want to bundle anything more than is already bundled — not insurance, not cable, Internet and/or phone. I do not want a different security system.

I know that I can’t argue with a utility company if its prices are about to go up or if it intends to install an excess flow valve.

I know it will not affect my life if I miss out on a free movie from Cox Communications.

I know I should conserve water and electricity (and I do). I know I should use my appliances late in the day.

I know that if I smell gas, I shouldn’t light a match but call the Gas Co.

I know that when I want a new cell phone, I will get one, without a reminder from AT&T. And I don’t want to stream Taylor Swift.

I don’t know why the Auto Club is hyping Papa John’s Pizza and offering me multiple discounts I would never use.

I don’t really need a thank-you note from the Newport Beach Fire Department for my annual membership in Fire Medics.

I know that if any of the services I use change policy, they don’t expect me to object. Or if there’s to be a public hearing, they don’t expect me to attend. And if things are changing, I can’t continue to receive the service if I don’t accept the changes.

I know that I don’t care what the inserts with my bills have to say. If it were really important, it would be on the news, and all my friends would be talking about it.

I also know that the utilities, the cable, Internet and phone companies know I don’t read that stuff!

So why do they waste all that paper?

For a writer who edits several printed drafts of a new book, I probably have my nerve complaining about paper wasted (and about the time required to read everyone else’s written words), but ...

As my role model and mentor, Carolyn See (mother of “On Gold Mountain” author Lisa See), once said, “Contribute to the Sierra Club, and do not feel guilty.”

I bet that none of those insert-senders contribute to the Sierra Club.

LIZ SWIERTZ NEWMAN lives in Corona del Mar.