Peace of Mind Organizing

Product review: Filertek dry-erase hanging file tabs

18 July 2012

A couple of years ago at the NAPO conference I was given a small package of Filertek dry-erase hanging file-folder labels. To be honest, these reusable tabs seemed to solve a problem I didn’t have and I brought home the sample and then never used it.

A company rep contacted me earlier this year about the product and I explained how I didn’t really see the need for them. When I set up a file system for a client, I use Post-It® notes as temporary file folder labels and typically replace them with adhesive Freedom Filer® labels.

The rep patiently explained to me that these Dry-Erase labels (which have a plastic cover that goes over the dry-erase part, so you don’t have to worry about smudging) can act as both temporary and permanent labels. After you’re satisfied with a category, you can slip a paper label into a slot in the top of the label, so you can easily have a printed label. Or you can adhere a label maker label right over the dry erase part. She offered to send me more product samples, with no obligation to review. I think she just wanted me to see the light.

So I took a box to a client’s home. We already had a Freedom Filer system set up for her, but she wanted a separate, non-Freedom Filer system for her husband’s few files which live in their own drawer. A few years back, we’d used Post-It notes as temporary tabs, then we took a hiatus from working together. Now she was ready for something that felt a little more permanent and was happy to give Filertek a try.

I’ll tell you what: The Filertek labels were perfect for this application. While we were tweaking the file system, we actually changed the names of the categories a few times. A quick swipe of the dry erase area and the old category was gone. I love having that flexibility as the file system develops. My client has great handwriting, so she doesn’t mind having hand written labels. We’ll probably never use inserts with her system. But it’s nice to know we can.

I also love that the file tabs are sturdy and reusable. They clip right onto the hanging file folder; I don’t have to insert them into slots. No fiddling around.

These hanging file folder tabs are a little more expensive than the light weight plastic ones. You can get a box of 50 tabs at Amazon for $13.53. Also at Amazon, Smead hanging folder 1/5 cut tabs are $4.65 for a pack of 25. But the difference is that the Filertek labels feel permanent and the poly tabs feel disposable.

I do believe I’ll be using these with clients again. I have to admit, they were a pleasant surprise, and a reminder that I should keep an open mind when it comes to new products!

My new blog: Organize Your Family History

17 July 2012

Last week, I wrote blogged about making time for the things you love and I mentioned that the thing I’m finding time for is family history research.

Today, I’m excited to announce that I’ve started a new blog, Organize Your Family History to chronicle my journey with my family history research, in hopes of helping readers feel less overwhelmed and have more fun as they do their own research.

It’s written very much from a beginning genealogist’s point of view and it’s personal but, I hope, helpful.

I love blogging, so this is the perfect marriage of two interests. The new blog won’t have any effect on this blog. I’ll still be blogging regularly here. But I’m excited to be researching my family history (I’m already finding out interesting things) and to have the opportunity to write about it at the same time.

Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Just too much

16 July 2012

In the past, I have belonged to Sam’s Club and Costco, the giant discount warehouse stores. About five years ago, we let our Costco membership lapse because we realized we were throwing away so much. For our family of two, bulk shopping just doesn’t make sense.

So I actually hadn’t stepped foot into one of those stores in five years when I went to Sam’s Club today to buy four new tires. Their prices were so good it made sense to join. I had an hour or so to peruse the offerings as I waited for my car.

I found the giant store packed with large packages of so many items so overwhelming and such a symptom of our culture of overconsumption. I didn’t buy anything (besides tires), but did note some good prices on some everyday non-perishable items we use. (I snapped photos of those price tags for next time we run out.)

As I walked through the aisles, I remembered how I used to feel a sense of urgency as I shopped there. Like there were deals I just couldn’t pass up. That turned out to be a false economy when we didn’t use the items before they expired.

One reason I didn’t buy today was that I didn’t really need anything. (Being a professional organizer has really helped me be more discerning about what I bring into the house.) But even for the items we do use, I hesitated to buy (despite good prices) because of the quantity. Where would I store that stuff? I have seen with my clients how bulk purchases can lead to clutter. I don’t want the stuff sitting out and I don’t want to have to reorganize a closet to make room for a huge supply of toilet paper just to save a few dollars.

I have nothing against these stores or people who shop in them. But I have to say spending time there (despite it not being crowded) made me a little stressed and sad. I don’t see myself doing a lot of shopping there, except for specific items, like tires or shelving, where I can get a great deal without buying in huge quantities.

I have to admit, I was kind of amazed that the thrill of shopping at these stores was gone. I think it’s just one of the ways that becoming a professional organizer has changed me.

App of the week: Paper Karma

13 July 2012

My friend, social media expert Jacquelyn Kittredge, told me about Paper Karma, a free app that helps you stop junk mail and unwanted catalogs.

This app is out-of-this-world easy. Once you’ve downloaded it and registered, all you do is open the app and press Take Photo to take a photograph of any junk mail you want to stop. Then press Use when you’re looking at the preview and that’s that. They contact the company that sent you the mail on your behalf. It literally takes seconds.

As soon as I heard about it, I downloaded it and registered. I found two pieces of mail to stop and took photos and sent them. It’s too soon to know whether they’ll actually stop coming, but Jacquelyn has been happy with it.

It almost makes me wish I got more catalogs, so I could have the enjoyment and jolt of empowerment of using Paper Karma to stop them!

Finding time to do the things that you love

12 July 2012

For more than ten years, I’ve been interested in doing family history research. I would dip my toe in the water every now and then, but would get overwhelmed and withdraw it. Mostly, I just didn’t feel I had the time to do it properly. So I didn’t do it at all.

Mind you, I didn’t have a lot of time. I’ve been pretty darn busy building my business and fulfilling some pretty major volunteer duties. But now those volunteer commitments are over and I’m under less pressure. So when my scheduled lightened up, guess what I turned to? Yes, the family history research.

I’m enjoying my research so much that I’m kicking myself for not finding time earlier. It’s one those things (like decluttering) that you feel you need a giant block of time to do, so you never do it. (Because, really, who has a giant block of time?) But it’s just not true. You can make progress in little chunks of time.

With genealogy, talking with older relatives is really helpful. So it’s the kind of hobby that’s really beneficial to work on sooner, rather than later. I’m visiting my parents soon, armed with all sorts of questions. I kind of wish I’d asked them ten years ago when my parents memories’ were probably better.

So here’s my point: If you have a something you’ve been waiting to find time to do, stop waiting. Just get started. Maybe all you have is a spare hour, rather than a full day available. That’s okay. Use it. Maybe you’ll have another hour tomorrow. And you can use that. Just getting started can be the hardest part. And it feels so good to get started!

By the way, I’m discovering all sorts of interesting things about my family history and I’m working on a special project surrounding that, which I will discuss here soon.

Lifehacker's list of best iPhone apps

11 July 2012

For three years in a row, the wonderful website Lifehacker has presented its Lifehacker Pack for iPhone list of iPhone apps that help you stay productive, connected, informed and entertained.

As regular readers of this blog know, I love my iPhone. And I’ve just scratched the surface of the life-enhancing apps available to me.

That’s why I’m so excited to dig into this list. I’ve glanced at it, and I have only nine of the 39 apps listed on my iPhone. Those 39 apps are organized in the following categories: Productivity; Internet Communication; Location-Aware; Utilities; Music, Photos, and Video; and Food and Entertainment.

Some of them are sure to make their way onto my iPhone and into my App of the week feature on this blog.

For you Windows app users out there, today Lifehacker released its Lifehacker Pack for Windows.

How long does food last?

10 July 2012

When I’m helping a client declutter a kitchen, the question of how long food lasts comes up a lot. In my own family, the question of how long leftovers keep comes up a lot as well. (My husband and I seem to have differing opinions.)

So I was thrilled to see Real Simple’s Ultimate Food Storage Guide, an online handbook on how to store food and how long it lasts.

The folks at Real Simple interviewed experts, including those at the USDA and food scientists, to come up with these recommendations, all compiled in one handy place. For some products, they used conservative guidelines to help ensure that food would be delicious, as well as safe.

Categories include how to store:

• Meat, seafood and poultry
• Dairy products
• Fruits and vegetables
• Snacks, baked goods and crackers
• Wine, beer and other beverages
• Oils, vinegars and condiments
• Pantry items

It’s a very handy guide that might resolve a few disputes around the kitchen!