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BY MEGAN SEXTON
McClatchy Newspapers | Monday, August 25, 2008 | (No comments posted.)
It won't be long before the kids are dumping their backpacks on the kitchen floor and complaining about homework.
Is your household ready?
There are all sorts of products on the market to help you get a handle on back-to-school organizational needs.
Here's a look at a few.
* Charging station. Are chargers for cell phones, MP3 players and game systems taking over outlets around your house? Can you never find the charger that fits YOUR cell phone? Check out this two-level charging station from Bed Bath and Beyond. It can store up to four devices for charging and features a pull-out accessory drawer and side pocket for storing wires. $14.99
* Light and storage. This desk lamp organizer offers light to study and a place to hold your pens, paper clips and other goodies. It has a bendable gooseneck and accommodates a 40-watt bulb. $14.99 at Target.
Crates everywhere. Everybody needs a couple of plastic crates. They are great for holding soccer cleats and shin guards in the garage or filing notes for term papers. These stacking plastic crates hold letter or legal hanging files and they lock together to stack or make cubes. They also can be used with casters to move around your room. Staples, $7.29 each.
* Everything in its place. Back to school means lots of slips of paper. Keep them organized in the 19-pocket mini case file. The accordion-style file case comes with a handle on top so you can take it with you to sort coupons or receipts while you're waiting in the carpool line. $10.99 at Staples.
* Style and storage. This storage ottoman is covered in micro-suede and available in several colors -- from black and gray to pink and green. It's a 15-inch cube, and the top pops off to stow away books or anything else. $19.99 at Target.
* Keeping track. Back to school means back to schedules. There are all sorts of options available for keeping you on task. Dry-erase boards are available in plenty of shapes and sizes. This 11-by-14 inch magnetic-dry erase board is outlined as a monthly calendar. Just fill in your appointments, soccer games and test dates. Then wipe them clean. $5.99 at Target.
* Too many wires. Do those wires seem to be multiplying under your computer desk or entertainment system? And how do they get so tangled? Try the wire organizer grommet, which hides tangled wires and cables with three adjustable openings. $4.99 at Staples.
* Too many plugs. Check out the PowerSquid by Philips, which converts one grounded outlet into five flexible adapter-ready outlets. It also has a master power switch. $15.79 at Staples.
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