To all -
There was recently a posting about using binders to organize seasonal items (which, btw, I thought was a very good idea). In any event, it got me to thinking about other ways binders can be used - and one of the things I love about this forum is that everyone does something differently using the same tools.
So, the question is - how do you use binders? My two cents are that they can be used to organize reading material (articles, newsletters, etc.) that you want to keep because they can easily be divided by subject or date - which makes purging all that much easier.
Looking forward to creative responses :-)
Holly Uverity, TX NAPO
I'm one of those vertical out where you can see it people... so I have current issues of magazies, vendor information (much of it in plastic sleeves), vendor catalogs, organization information, Mailer info ...i.e. FedEx., USPS rate charts) Loose magazines & vendor info can be a nightmare for me so I just slap in a plastic sleeve or magazine holder & into the binder it goes.
All of the PC software diskettes in your possesion are better off in the plastic sleeves just sized for them. They are much easier to retrieve & keep in order (especially when you need the Windows # 5,6,7 diskettes for printer drivers etc.) {As a reminder to those with home offices...keep backups of your important software & programs offsite!!, not in your home.} [Just a little stand up routine from one formerly in charge of Disaster Preparedness.]
I label the binders with the PTouch 1" size strips
Once it gets in a file folder in a drawer in this place its on its way to never land (except for the stuff for the govt..that I only like to deal with every so often) {Those file folders with the box bottoms, suggested elsewhere here in the forum may be useful to me!! Thank!}
Grace Cherrington
<<how do you use binders?>>
1) To tip my computer monitor to reduce the glare. Yes, it's a dinosaur with no adjustments. I'm trying to hold out until the flat screens become available.
2) To store a working copy of reports I'm generating. It's easier for me to find the holes, rework the order or presentation, etc., when it's in a "bound" condition.
3) I often provide a suitably sized binder with a simple but professional looking spine and cover in the slip pockets to my principal client technical contacts. They are usually responsible for bringing their own management up to speed on the progress of contracts they're managing--having a clean copy of the current deliverable in a sharp-looking package seems to make that task easier for them. For clients who want to note their comments by redlining the electronic version, I always include a clearly labeled diskette copy in a disk pouch affixed to the inside of the binder.
4) To store input materials (reference reports, memos, clippings, etc). I find binders easier than folders because they'll stand up on the table or dresser in the motel room, rather than having to spread them out all over the bed or pile on the table.
Cheryl
Hello Holly,
My creative use of binders led to the development, provisional patent application and production of The Bill Caretaker (tm). Two days ago, I got the attorney's okay to begin selling, so we'll see if the "market" likes and buys my organizational tool. It's a custom made 3-ring binder with 3 custom vinyl pockets inside for holding credit card receipts, bills (in the creditor's envelopes) and miscellaneous bill paying papers that always seem to be there. Includes twelve "Monthly Sheets" where the user records 6 columns of info (3 before paying, 3 after) in due date order. Results in having financial statistics consistently at your fingertips and is a good tool for learning to review data for financial mgmt (home or small office). Excellent stress reducer for the bill payer, because everything's in one place & organized. (Have used the format at home for 15yrs, implemented in several sm businesses, and set up for family & friends over the years.)
The bottom line... necessity is the mother of invention. Couldn't find it to buy, so I created it myself! (Whether I'll recoup our exhausted savings account doing this, is of course, another subject!!)
Linda Hermanutz
Holly,
I have a preference for hanging binders for a variety of things. They are standard size, built w/extensions on the spine to hang in a let letter-size file drawer...great for keeping my NAPO directory within arm's reach yet off the surface. I also use these for large projects t that may also have other documentation in the files. And, they are available in a variety of colors, too.
Paulette Ensign
Paulette,
<<<.great for keeping my NAPO directory within arm's reach yet off the surface>>> I do the same thing with my directory and newsletters - one binder but instead of a hanging binder, I put it in an appropriately sized hanging folder - great minds do think alike! :-)
Holly Uverity
Hi Holly:
We use binders to organize our travel material. Plastic sleeves can hold coupons and special items we need to keep up with. We can three hole punch other material--our notes or material from magazines. We have section with all the Freq. Flyer Info. BTW, we're a small home based organizational consulting company with 4 FT employees--three consultants who travel a lot and an administrative person.
I look forward to other ideas.
Jacquie
>> how do you use binders? <<
Anything that's easier to use in book form, or must be regularly taken out of the office, goes into a binder. Three-hole notebooks (from 1" to 3" wide, depending on the subject matter) are my favorite form because they're easy to update and easy to reorganize if I get an idea for a better way of arranging things. Yes, I do tend to color-code them!
Examples:
Financial records. In chronological order, so it's easy to put the latest statement in its proper place and they don't mysteriously rearrange themselves as they do in hanging folders.
The latest printed version of a work-in-progress. I've been writing with a variety of word-processing software packages for over 15 years -- and I think that if I had to go back to a typewriter or pencil and paper I'd give up writing, but I still find it much faster and easier to mark up a draft with various colored inks than to do all of my editing on-screen. When it's as good as I can make it, or it's so covered with changes that it's hard to read, I make all of the changes in one pass through the computer files.
Garden maps. One notebook per year.
Seedling photos. Sibs don't cooperate with their hybridizer by all blooming at the same time, but their pictures can be collected into notebooks for later study.
Some things don't lend themselves to 3-hole notebooks, but still need to be bound. For example, newsletters that don't have a wide enough margin to be punched without losing text go into pressure-clasp binders.
More than you wanted to know? <G>
Sharon
=============
I LOVE reading Section 22. You all have such great ideas!
things organized in notebooks. But how should I store the notebooks?
Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
Jeannie Shedlock
Jeannie,
Welcome and thanks from all of us for your enthusiasm about this section.
It is such a joint effort of a lot of people, each bringing their ideas,
perspectives, talents and time to share with everyone here.
About binders...I am a big fan of hanging binders. They are regular size
and are constructed with extenders on either end of the binding so they can
be stored in letter-size file drawers. I mention this only because so many
folks don't seem to know about them. This is just anoth another option to
regular binders being stored on shelves.
One thing I would like to suggest is to be sure first to label all binders,
and second, to label them all in the same direction. If they ar aren't labeled,
you're clueless as to their contents. If they are labeled going all different
directions, it can be chaotic. ( my $02 worth <s>).
Keep reading this section and keep jumping in with questions, comments,
your own solutions.
Paulette Ensign NAPO President
Paulette,
Thanks for your information about hanging notebooks. That will be great!
Jeannie
Jeannie,
Have fun shopping for those hanging notebooks. There's quite a selection
available now, in softer or more sturdy covers, retractable exte extensions,
various colors. Of course, not every source will have every choice. Just
know they all exist. Let us know how you make out, wou would you?
Paulette Ensign
Jeannie --
Thanks for your gracious words.
I second Paulette's idea of hanging binders. Particularly if you have
filing cabinet or crates for filing space. If not, then use shelves.
I strongly support Paulette's hints about labeling binders. I spent
several hours working with a client yesterday who is also a binder person. Unfortunately, none of her binders were labelled. So using my label making machine, I took care of all of her needs once she identified the contents of each binder. They are all very neatly lined up on her shelves and she can grab the one she needs without searching.
Yea binders!!!
Sandy Stelter, NAPO Member
Sandy,
Thanks for your great ideas about organizing my notebooks. My brain just
doesn't think that way<G>
Jeannie
Jeannie -
Right after I hit the send key I remember that you said - "notebooks" Are
you talking the spiral type? Do they have 3-holes for placing in a binder?
If not, the other suggestion I would make is to place them in "like subject
categories", or in "date order" as the organizing scheme. Then put them
in magazine holder boxes and label the mag. box itself. The mag. boxes
are sold in many variety of colors so you could even color code if you
wanted to. Still label each notebook on the cover so when you pull it out
of the box you know subject matter or range of dates.
Hope this helps!
Sandy Stelter
Ok, more two cents worth:
take a look at an office supply catalog..such as office depot or staples.
There you will find pages of supplies to go with your binders such as
indexes, see though holders, pockets, disk holders etc etc...now you
should have a great resouce to look at pics of all the items suggested to
you in this thread. The office supply catalog...don't leave home without
it!
DJ Watson, NAPO Member