Staples Coupon for Free Eco-Easy Bag and 15% Off

One of my Thursday morning rituals is to check out the Staples website to view the upcoming week's circular and to look for on-line coupons.  This week there is a special coupon you can redeem for a free Eco-Easy bag.  You then received 15% off of everything you can fit in the bag.  Not a bad deal.  Certain items like Kindles are excluded.  In addition, you cannot combine the offer with any other coupons.

I finally redeemed the coupon today.  After picking up my bag, I went straight to the clearance rack and scored a few breast cancer awareness themed products:  3 packs of Pendaflex file folders ($1.60 per pack/ 10 folders to a pack); 2 packs of magnets ($0.90 per pack/ 15 magnets to pack); and 2 packs of binder clips ($1.10 per pack/ 12 clips to a pack). I also picked up a pack of Z Grip retractable ball point pens in assorted colors for $4.29 and Staples brand tabbed clips for $3.49.

My total after the 15% discount was $15.33.  I think I got some pretty good deals and I will certainly use all of the products at work.

Oxford Index Card Notebook

As a paper hoarder, it's nearly impossible for me to resist the urge to purchase new paper products when I see them.  I recently gave into temptation, yet again, and purchased an index card notebook made by Oxford.  I actually passed it up the first time I saw it at Staples because I couldn’t justify the purchase at $5.99.  Then, last week, I scored a Staples coupon for $3.00 off any purchase.  I decided to bite the bullet and purchase it. 

As described, it is a notebook containing 50 perforated pages of white ruled index cards, 3 index cards per page.  Spiral bound, detachable index cards are nothing new.  The traditional version contains 50 detachable index cards and is spiral bound at the top.  The Oxford index card notebook measures approximately 9 x  5 inches and is bound on the left side.  The spiral binding appears to be made of a coated plastic.  The inside cover contains 2 storage pockets.  The texture of the cards is what you would expect in the average index card.  Having 3 detachable index cards per page creates a larger surface area and provides a more comfortable writing experience.

I initially thought the notebook was a bit pricey at $5.99.  However, when compared to the price of the traditional spiral bound, detachable index cards, it's actually a pretty good deal.  While it's not listed on the Staples website, it is available at Amazon for $4.44. 



Muji Denim Tag Book Covers

Muji has a new line of products made from the material used to make labels for denim jeans.  The line includes book covers in three different sizes, large envelopes, and bookmarks.  Being a complete sucker for new products, I bought the book covers in all three sizes (A5, A6 and B5).  The book covers are, indeed, reminiscent of the tags sewn on the back of denim jeans.  The material is much thinner but it appears durable.

My favorite version is A6 version.  My one complaint is that this version has a flap but does not have a closing mechanism.  I ended up making my own closure using adhesive Velcro strips that I cut to the desired size and stuck to the cover.  It’s not particularly attractive but it’s functional. 

I purchased these at the Muji store in Chelsea. 

A6 - $4.95

A5 -  $5.95

B5 - $6.95

Follow-up Kokuyo Index Tabs Review

I previously reviewed Kokuyo permanent tabs and found that I used the tabs regularly.  On a follow-up visit to Kinokuniya, I purchased the multi-color and laminated versions. 

I used the multi-color tables for the Songs of Ice & Fire reading journal.  The journal itself is from my Staples run in February, thanks to a tip from the Pen Addict. 



I recently subscribed to Rad and Hungry based upon something I read on The Well Appointed Desk website.  The recent “Japan” box included a set of tabs very similar to the multi-color tabs I picked up at Kinokuniya. 

 I decided to use the laminated tabs for my health journal. 

 The laminated tabs are my favorite.  I'm hoping they will create a laminated, multi-color tab set.  The laminated tabs cost $3.95 for a pack of 81.  The multi-color tabs cost $3.95 for a pack of 144.

Cornell Note B5 Notebook

 

I’m a big fan of Levenger annotated ruled pads.  I was introduced to them when I picked some up for 99 cents each at a closeout store in Queens.  The annotated pads are designed with the Cornell Method of note taking in mind.  Generally speaking, when using the Cornell Method, you divide your paper into 3 sections.  The left column is for questions.  The middle section is for the actual notes.  The bottom section is for summaries

I love my Levenger annotated pad so my interest was piqued when I came across a “Cornell Method Note” book at Kinokuniya.   The notebook comes in B5, 6 mm rule in both twin ring and tape bound.   The tape bound contains 32 sheets and costs $4.55.  The twin ring notebook has 40 sheets and costs $6.35.  The distinct sections are printed on both sides of the paper.  The paper is extremely smooth and reminds me of Kokuyo paper.  There is no feathering and some bleed through. 

I have yet to figure out how I’ll use these.  I may start using them at my office for phone notes.