Getting the Tools: GTD prepartion

If you have gone through David Allen's book you must have come across the list of the tools he recommends for implementing his system. which are
• Paper-holding trays (at least three)
• A stack of plain letter-size paper
• A pen/pencil
•Post-its (3X3s)
• Paper clips
• Binder clips
• A stapler and staples
• Scotch tape
• Rubber bands
• An automatic labeler
• File folders
• A calendar
• Wastebasket/recycling bins
these are not terribly expensive to obtain . but some items can be substituted for when you happen to be a college student on a tight budget. Especially for people in SL.
Today and the day before I took time to go hunting for the above items.. and well was shocked at the cost of some of the things. The fact that to reap something valuable you need to invest in it is true, but when there are ways to save while investing why not do that. So heres what I came up with in terms of more cozt effective tools.
If you go to arpico and look at in trays in the stationery section you wont find anything cheaper than 500/= thats per tray by the way so for just one in and out stack you will spend at least 1000/=. Instead . if you wonder around the plastics section you will find a cheaper plastic rack for keeping books with two trays that will cost around Rs 700.00 its not much to look at but hey it gets the job done.
Next I went to check on files. you can find those manila files with name tags and all that for about Rs 12.00 and above at leading books stores. That doesn't sound like much but when your buying 50 plus files(you will need at least that much for David's GTD system) it takes quite a bit out of your pocket. So instead go to any corner book shop and buy normal legal file (The type we use in school ) each file will cost about Rs5.00 or less even(If you go to wholesalers in Negambo ).
If your buying A4 sheets dont go to leading book stores because they charge you about Rs 250 plus for a pack of 500 sheets. I went to negambo too a stationery wholesaler and bought the same 500 sheet pack for Rs 150. Saving about Rs 100.
altogether for just these few items i managed to save about Rs.700 to Rs 900. which is a lot for a student. This skimping as some would call it didn't compromise the effectiveness of the system in any way either. More tips on implementing a cost effective GTD system will follow