Hot Picks - Winter 1997

We review organizing products on a regular basis that can make Getting Organized more FUN and your life a lot easier!
Check this area regularly to find what's new and innovative in organizing tools. .

Each review includes a:

  • picture
  • how to use the product
  • product specifications
  • suggested retail prices
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    We receive many products from vendors for our online review purposes. After reviewing these products we then donate them back into our respective communities or make donations in their name and ours for fundraising events. Many of these events are hosted by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).



    Oxford Slash Pocket Project Folders:

    Having trouble locating all the papers for each project you are immersed in? Are your papers in piles on your desk according to subject or project? Are those projects consuming any remaining work space on your desk because you need them in front of you daily?

    Oxford Slash Pocket Project Folders to the rescue! Color coding does have many advantageous and this product will surely be an aid to organizing all those projects.

    The folder features a "pocket" so important papers won't fall out, unlike the use of ordinary manila folders used for "storing projects." The diagonal cutaway design provides instant access and ease of visibility for all your papers and projects. Color coding projects is an easy way to quickly spot the project you are looking for. Not only that, the slash pockets come pre-punched for a 3 ring binder. You can now contain various projects on your desk in an organized fashion without having to "file" away projects you are working on daily.

    Assorted 10 pack of colors, Approximate cost: $3.59

    The Oxford Slash Pocket Project Folders can be purchased in most major discount office supply stores.
    Fellows Wire Basket System:

    Tired of not being able to see what the contents are in your in/out tray system? Do the trays dislodge from one another as soon as you put your hand in to retrieve something?

    The Fellows letter/legal desk tray system is made of sturdy wire construction with rubber feet. It features a 3.5" clearance between baskets when stacking the letter size and a 5" clearance for legal size.

    This product is by far one of the best I've seen in the realm of in/out baskets for the workstation. The system flaunts clear visibility of the contents as well as sturdiness of construction. Due to the clearance provided by the stackers and the fact that it has a 3.5" basket, any size hand can retrieve contents with ease. No more worry about dislodging one tray while retrieving contents from another.

    The Fellows system achieves it's strength by the unique design placement of the stackers which are held in place by incorporating the use of tension in a very simplistic manner.

    Approximate cost:
    • letter baskets: $3.89
    • legal baskets: $4.99
    • letter stackers: $1.99 (pkg. of 4)
    • legal stackers: $2.19 (pkg. of 4)

    Recommended use: 4 wire baskets & 2 sets of stackers to cover:
    • to do
    • to read
    • to file
    • today papers.

    The Fellows wire basket system can be purchased in most major office supply stores.
    RED DOT:

    Are you running out of space in your briefcase? Do you find that there never seems to be enough dividers that enhance the easy retrieval of your papers when with a client or at a meeting?

    The RED DOT System is the answer to your organizing needs! This unique filing system is a great way to manage paperwork for the home or office. Whatever your needs or interest, this system will help you locate documents fast.

    The RED DOT system is made of a rugged nylon carrying case that comes in 2 styles, the Metropolitan or Folio. Each contains 10 detachable color coded files made of durable plastic for ease of visibility and holds up to 100 sheets of paper. The system comes with wipe on/wipe off labels; water soluble marker; a "hang anywhere" hook for traveling and wall fixtures for permanently hanging the system.

    The Metropolitan is my system of choice as it hosts a roomy pocket on the outside and the sides are zippered for further protection of documents, as well as an oversized loose document. By unzipping the sides, your system now expands into accordion style enhancing document visibility even more! Each file "snaps" off for easy "take anywhere".

    I've never seen anything like this system that eases organization for those of us dealing with forms, documents and papers that we need to travel with consistently.

    The RED DOT System can be purchased directly through this Website. Cost: $119.95 plus $10 s/h


    Digital Storage System:

    Too many computer diskettes? No way to organize them? Invest in a Deskette system. This compact storage system resembles a mini filing cabinet. To give you an example of storage capacity a 8.5 (w) x 10 (l) x 8.75 (h) stores up to 210 diskettes in a neat, sturdy, attractive, divided, enclosed container.

    DSS, Division of Plasteel, Inc., the Deskette system is custom crafted of 100% acrylic and available in clear and smoke.The system is designed for maximum storage efficiency and is very attractive. Available in numerous sizes to meet your individual storage needs, it's capacity ranges from (72) 3.5" diskettes in a single drawer 1x1 model to an incredible (1,152) 3.5" diskettes in a 16 drawer 4x4 model.
    Model:
    1x1
    1x2
    1x3
    1x4
    2x2
    2x4
    4x4
    		 Price:
    $21.35
    $35.25
    $49.25
    $52.50
    $56.25
    $89.50
    $200.00
    		 Capacity:
    Holds 72
    Holds 144
    Holds 216
    Holds 288
    Holds 288
    Holds 576
    Holds 1152

    The DSS system can be purchase through International Datawares Inc. (800) 222-6032

    P- Touch Labeling System:

    Now that you have invested all that time into organizing your filing system, wouldn't it be nice to have them all neatly labeled? What about labeling all the supply shelves in the office so everyone knows the new system for "a place for everything, and everything in it?" Would you like to label all of Johnny's storage spaces so he knows where his toys belong?

    The versatility of the P-touch made by Brother is an answer to your dreams! The P-touch is portable, battery operated and quite versatile. The P- touch 320 is my model of choice. Enough extras to provide versatility without the overkill of available choices.

    The P-touch 320 is easy to use, portable, prints laminated labels in 8 styles and sizes, prints up to two lines, uses 4 sizes of adhesive tape, has a 300 character memory, 49 key keyboard, light enough to take anywhere and more!

    An adapter for your P-touch is sold separately: Approximate cost $30.00

    The P-touch 320: Approximate cost $129.99

    The Brother P-touch System can be purchased in most major discount office supply stores.

    Storage Boxes

    Is your chest of drawers full and is the closet packed with clothes? Do you need help with the overflow? Or perhaps you have a deep, large utility drawer where tools are buried underneath one another. Could you use some storage solutions?

    Consider using clear, heavy-gauge plastic bins. They are available in many sizes to accommodate anything in the house from bedding to clothes to items in the garage such as tools.

    Because they are clear, you can see the contents. Store extra blankets or sweaters in a tightly sealed container and then store them under the bed. Used without the lids, they can also be inserted into large utility drawers to help you sort items within the drawer.

    Boxes:

    7" x 13" x 4" H
    Cost: $12.00 (set of six)

    11" x 16" x 5" H
    Cost: $22.00 (set of six)

    24" x 14" x 6" H
    Cost: $16.00 (set of two)

    They are available through Hold Everything: (800) 421-2264

    DecoFlex Desktop File

    Are client, project and/or action files spread out all over your desk? Do you have room to do your paperwork? Can you find the file you need?

    Perhaps you would benefit from a desktop file storage unit. Durable, this file unit could help you regain control over your desktop!

    It features handles on the sides for easy transport, includes 5 Pendaflex brand hanging file folders and index tabs and inserts. Its compact size will permit you to place it anywhere within reach; desktop, shelf or even in a drawer. You could house your action files, client files or current project files.

    9" H x 12" W x 6" D
    Cost: approximately $8.99

    Colors: Putty, Sapphire Blue, Black, White, Red, Gray, Fairbanks Blue, Cocoa Brown and Almond.

    This product is available at most office supply stores.

    Laser Printer Carrel Plus

    Do you always have to run to the supply cabinet when you run out of printer paper? How about envelopes? And printer supplies?

    Save yourself a trip! This organizing tool will help you keep all the supplies you need in one place, next to the equipment where you use it the most. This product is constructed of sturdy, scratch-resistant melamine board. With sectioned shelves, you can store stationery and envelops. In the bottom drawer you can store a secondary paper cartridge as well as other office supplies.

    19" W x 18" D x 9 ?" H
    Cost: $124.95 (approximately)

    To order, contact Ring King: (800) 272-2366

    Mobile Technologies:
    Car-Go-File Organizational System

    Are you a traveling sales representative? Is your product literature scattered throughout the trunk of your car? If you had to get to the spare tire and jack of your car, could you?

    Leave the world of chaos behind. You no longer have to worry about that last corner you just turned. With this system there is a place for everything; product literature, binders, client files, reference material, etc. When you open your trunk, items will not be scattered from left to right. You will access your critical information within seconds of opening your trunk, improving your time management. There is no assembly required. And the system comes with a 30 day money back guarantee and a free from defects lifetime warranty!

    Kit A: 19" x 14" x 7"
    (1) Main Unit
    (3) Main Unit Separators (1) Accessory Box
    (2) Accessory Box Separators
    Cost: $87.95

    Kit B: 19" x 14" x 10"
    (1) Hanging File Letter Size
    (1) Accessory Box
    (2) Accessory Box Separators
    Cost: $74.95

    These products are available through Mobile Technology Products: (800) 426-3453

    		Kit A


    Kit B
    CD Wallets

    Have you noticed that most new software is arriving in a box without a jewel case? So, what do you do with all those miscellaneous CD's -- so they don't get damaged or misplaced?

    Hmmmmm, you can either purchase CD towers, numerous CD bins, racks, trays, or jewel cases (all utilizing primo "Desk Real Estate") OR you can go the economical space-&-money-saving route.

    A vast array of companies carry a multitude of CD organizing wallets. These compact wallets may be utilized on the desktop in the midst of all those projects AND later stored in a secured desk drawer -- barely taking up any space!

    Some of my favorites are Avery (stores 72 CD's) for under $40 in a compact 6"x 7"x 3" storage space! You can find it in most office supply stores such as Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot.

    My favorite travel medium is the "neoprene CD wallet," strong, durable & can even be used for permanent storage while helping you get organized.

    Protect your investment and organize at the same time! You have a homework assignment!

    SimpliFILE Organizers

    Are papers, files, receipts and supplies strewn throughout your office? Would it help to have a place for all those items? Perhaps a storage unit that was portable?

    It exists! Check out these cool storage units. You can store everything from file folders to maps to general office supplies such as scissors, pens, paper clips and tape. Once items are stored, you can place them in your file cabinet. If you need to travel, they are portable independently or will fit into a portable file container. The colors are fun and exciting! And we thought kids had all the fun stuff!

    Black, Divided Organizer with Cover Cost: $5.99

    Teal, Map/Brochure Organizer Cost: $4.99

    Blue, Project Organizer with Cover Cost: $5.99

    Yellow, File Folder Organizer Cost: $4.99

    These products are available through the Container Store: (800) 733-3532

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