Create a New Filing System in Minutes with Smead FasTab Hanging Folders
One of the things I dislike most about creating a filing system is dealing with those pain in the neck plastic tabs you have to put on hanging files. Are you one of those too? If so, I've got great news for you!
I got a sample in the mail last week of a new Hanging File design called FasTab by SMEAD. I love them! And here's why.
I'm a "semi-reformed" pile person who used to avoid creating a hanging file system for my paperwork because I hated messing with those little plastic tabs and creating labels. Ultimately I had to get over it and accept the fact that I had to deal with plastic tabs in order to function better. There was no alternative. Till now. SMEAD has recognized that there are a lot of people like me who hate those plastic tabs and they have created an alternative that is faster and easier to maintain!
Here's what I love about them.
__________________
FEWER STEPS!
Creating the files in one thing, but to maintain files with lost plastic tabs takes a lot of extra steps. You have to:
- Pull out a hanging file folder
(and if you don't keep extra folders in your file drawer means you also have to open those awful boxes they come in and risk a paper cut! Then you have to close the box : ) - Get out the plastic tab
- Create a label
- Insert label into tab
- Attach label to hanging file.
- If you want to center the tab you have to count the little holes.
- Insert paper and put away.
This is just more time and energy than I want to give to staying organized! Call me lazy or call me "Innovative." I just happen to fit the Organizing Style Lanna Nakone describes as "Innovating" in Organizing for Your Brain Type: Finding Your Own Solution to Managing Time, Paper, and Stuff
"If they have to do one more step than necessary, they'll avoid it,"
With these new folders, it goes like this:
- Pull out one of the extra files you keep handy in the drawer.
- Label it with a Black Sharpie pen or with a p-touch.
- Insert paper and put away.
Much better!
______________________
EASY TO READ LARGE TABS
In order to be able to read the labels, I bought 3.5 in plastic tabs for my hanging files. The FasTabs tab is 4 inches wide - standard. (I measured). So now I can save money too. ______________________
STANDARD TAB POSITIONS CAN BE USED TO CREATE SUB-CATEGORIES
These hanging files have 3 standard positions so you don't have to fuss about where to attach the tab. I like my files to be all in the same position, but I vary that position to create sub-categories. e.g., investment, retirement, & insurance files to the left, personal financial files such as checking, credit card, & monthly bills to the middle, business financial files to the right. So that will work for me.
______________________
LESS WASTE
I buy 3.5 in plastic tabs for my hanging files so that I can read them and had to recycely the plastic tabs. With these built in larger tabs, there is no waste at all.
______________________
ARE THEY STURDY?
They seem pretty sturdy to me for normal home use...maybe not so good an office where they are frequently accessed. But then again, I've seen a lot of beat up plastic tabs as well.
_________________________
WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE LABEL?
I find that my files don't change much because I don't use company names on them. (Precisely because I hate having to change the plastic tabs.) So for example, instead of Wachovia, I just have Joint Checking. So even though my bank has changed names 4 times in 6 years... I have never had to change the tab : )
But if you do need to change the label, all you need in a standard file folder label or a new P-Touch label.
P.S.
In addition to the above, I like that:
- For pilers, using these folders is likely to be a much easier transition from not having any vertical files at all.
- The hanging rods don't slide out!
Learn more about FasTab by SMEAD. NOTE: I have not yet found these in stores...or anywhere online...but I suspect it will be coming soon!
