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TryingMyBest
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 10:43am | IP Logged
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I received some Amazon gift certificates for Christmas and was thinking of using them to buy some equipment or supplies for homeschooling.
What are your recommendations for some office supplies and/or equipment? We already have a printer and lots of art supplies.
I was thinking about a ProClick or a laminator. Are those good investments? How much space do they take up?
Jenn
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 11:21am | IP Logged
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I like having a laminator, and when I use it I am glad to have it. However, I don't use it very often. I could easily do without it. I have a small one, but it does take up space- about as long as a loaf of bread and maybe twice as tall for the Brother version I have, and the refill cartridges aren't cheap.
Office supplies I like: blank notebooks, good pens and pencils, copy paper. We seem to go through those like water here 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 11:54am | IP Logged
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If I had to choose between the laminator or the Proclick, I'd choose the Proclick. I use mine all the time!!! I do use my laminator, too...so I'd see if I could work in a very inexpensive laminator if I could afford both. Either option is a great investment though, and you would use both throughout homeschooling and beyond!
The Proclick itself takes up very little space, but the spines will need a little room on a shelf somewhere.
Other (mostly smallish) office/school supply items I use all the time and enjoy keeping stocked:
** Labelmaker!!!! You can read all about our favorites on this thread! I just replaced my labelmaker and really love its replacement!!! I have an Epson LW0400 that I LOVE!!!! I'm not sure why it's so expensive on Amazon right now, though! I definitely did not pay that much - I'm pretty sure I paid $25...and it wasn't that long ago, either! Things I love about my new Epson that my older labelmaker didn't have:
** it prints on clear tape
** has multiple font choices that I LOVE!
** prints vertically
** prints multiple lines
** Frixion erasable pens - Best erasable pen ever made! Writes smooth, erases completely!
** Post-it notes in a variety of sizes - I like keeping the Post-it note tabs stocked too because I use them in building and making notebooks all the time!
** Good pens for myself: Le Pen, Pilot Precise, Z-Grip
** Excellent scissors make a huge difference - Fiskars 4 inch detail scissors are the gold standard in my opinion! I require a deposit from a child if they ask to borrow mine! And I'm not kidding!!! My oldest dd finally just bought her own to avoid having to leave money on my desk everytime she borrowed them!
** Washi tape - I've been using these for EVERYTHING lately!! I used them to divide up our dry erase board to create an organized home management board that was customized to fit our family! Perfect for adding a bit of color and love that it's totally removable!
** A new commonplace book! (Here's a little bit more on the idea of keeping a commonplace book.) I'm so picky about the notebooks that I use, but I do love a pretty, lined (has to be lined for me because I don't have the skill of writing in a straight line without guide lines -  ) notebook! I like keeping a commonplace book near all my reading: in my reading basket, nightstand, desk, and some authors that are favorites of mine (Mason, Chesterton, Austen) have their own "special" commonplace book! Maybe you'd enjoy a new commonplace book with your special money? And as an aside...I always keep a special pen with each commonplace book. Add a pen holder to each commonplace book so that you never have to hunt for a pen!
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I'm sure I could go on about other favorite-everyday-used-office supplies, but hopefully that's a start for you!! What a positively THRILLING afternoon: a cup of tea, all the kids occupied, and Amazon $$ and office supply shopping!!! SHEER BLISS!!!!!  Have fun!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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jawgee
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 11:58am | IP Logged
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A small laminator and a ProClick would both be great investments. I have them both.
Amazon is also a good place to get rpl ink for your printer, off-brand laminating pouches that are very inexpensive, and, of course, books.
Besides that, though, we use Amazon for vitamins, toilet paper, snacks in bulk, diapers, etc.
Too many choices!
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Monica
C (12/2001), N (11/2005), M (5/2008), J (8/2009) and three angels
The Catholic Cup on Facebook
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MaryM
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 2:57pm | IP Logged
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Yeah, Jen! Great ideas - we know you are the queen of office supplies - especially post-it notes, which I love, too.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 3:08pm | IP Logged
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Mary beat me to it...Jen is definitely your go-to gal when it comes to all things office!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 5:08pm | IP Logged
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A scanner.. if your printer isn't an all in one.. I find a use for a scanner all the time. Especially for books that give you permission to copy for your own family.. so much easier to scan and print for yourself than to have to go over the rules of the copyright with a business to get it copied.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Erin
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| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 7:31pm | IP Logged
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Highly recommend this pencil sharpener discussed here (thanks Jodie  )
Also seconding a laminator and comb binder. oh yes and the label maker (mustn't forget that  )
And I'm keen on good lead pencils and plenty of decent erasers
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
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Seconding all the suggestions. Good scissors, which I need a few more pairs because mine seem to walk off to unknown places.
Post Its of all colors including liturgical season colors!
good pencils and pens. Pencil sharpener a must. I still need a decent stapler if you can believe that.
I love and use our label maker, laminator and Pro Click all the time. Also my scanner is always busy. I love a color printer.
This goes into a bit of craft supply, but my husband gave me a much desired Lighttracer2 Light Box for Christmas. I have several uses, mainly calligraphy, but already it has proven to be a handy tool.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Recommended Equipment/Office Supplies?
