30 June 2016

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 18

Zombie Apocalypse Preparation

What paperwork and items does your family need to get a hold of if you are ever incapacitated?

What's your family's procedures for handing emergency situations when everyone is away from home? Heavy storms? Power outages?

Planning for emergencies is the best way to ensure you've been responsible for everything under your control when things get out of your control. In this week's episode the gruesome twosome baton down the hatches and hunker down for emergency planning preparedness.

Grab your manual crank radio and listen in.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 Introductions
01:00 Events that can lead to you needing your planner
03:00 October 1987 storm in UK
04:00 Utility company details
04:40 Home binder
05:30 Have emergency money available
06:30 Information bank split
07:30 In case of an emergency information
09:00 Pet owners information
10:00 No internet! Make a note of your ISP
11:00 Home emergency go bag
12:00 Electronic calendars
14:00 Backing up your planner to Evernote iPhone App
14:30 Names and phone numbers of team member in an emergency
15:00 Credit card details and contact information
15:45 Bookmarks and passwords for accounts stay at home
17:00 Electronic copies of documents
18:20 What is in your Go-bag
19:00 Know where your family are located
20:00 Telephone call chain
22:30 Carry your prescriptions for medication
24:30 On Steve's To-Do list
26:00 Karine's win story
28:00 DiY Fish Inserts

There are numerous template files on our Files page you can download and use for a lot of this information we mention in this podcast

Episode 18 - Zombie Apocalypse Preparation


A direct download is also available here: Episode18.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites: The Streamlined LifeThinker ExtraordinaireThinker Extraordinaire (Services) Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

Previous Episodes:

17Managing Finances In Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
16 - Planning for those of us who actually can't live without planning, with guest co-host Carie Harling - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
15 - Automation NirvanaA5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
14 - Work Life Balance and Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
13 - GTD Productivity And Using Your Paper Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
12 - Job Seeking and Keeping - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
11 - Planner Fail -  A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
10 - Planner Hacks - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
9 - Planner Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
8 - Choosing Inserts - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
7 - How do you carry your planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
6 - Planners on the go - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
5 - Why would you pay more than the price of a Filofax? - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
4 - Using Your Planner To Create Permanent Habit Changes - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
3 - Getting on with two or more planners - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
2 - Where to start your planning journey and why - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
1 - What size and why....  - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

29 June 2016

Guest Post - Filofax for the baby boomers

Thank you to Lynn for this guest post. Lynn has her own blog over at My Filofax Blog which has featured a lot in recent web finds posts. 

The generation of Baby Boomers is now nearing or is already at retiring age. Having lived through the ‘swinging sixties’ many of us are still going strong, loving life and looking forward to many more years ahead, albeit with a mountain of pills and replacement bits and pieces.

During my working life my organisers were all to do with my work in education and I never contemplated using one in my home-life. I wanted to step out of the rat race and leave all that behind. After retirement I happily pursued all my hobbies and it was only by chance that I acquired a Filofax style personal planner from one of my forays in a Charity Shop.

That planner started me on my Filofax journey, researching different sizes and types of planners, set-ups and ways of organising. A new world opened up especially when I found Philofaxy and saw that others shared my enthusiasm for a Filofax.

Needless to say my first proper Filofax followed the look-a-like and a new hobby was born. Who would have thought that I would still enjoy using my working skills - organising, categorising, researching, planning for projects, filing and juggling commitments in my retirement years!

I now own (ahem) more than one Filofax and the collection continues to grow as I find ways to use them all. By far the main way of using the Filofax is as an organiser and planner of everyday life and I read mostly articles written by the younger generation, people using a Filofax to run a busy home, organise work or student life or run a business.


There are not many articles, blogs, vlogs or YT videos produced by us ‘oldies’ showing a Filofax in action for our age group, although thank you to the wonderful ‘older’ lady on YT who showed off her Filofax containing her bus pass, medication list, and shopping trolley coin - you inspired me greatly!

I have often wondered how many of us baby boomers benefit from having a Filofax in our lives, how many call in here looking for inspiration? Our generation still enjoys fashion, music and alternative ideas.

We like to live life to the full and with innovative planning and organising in a Filofax we can achieve this and so much more.

28 June 2016

Web Finds - 28 June 2016

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

So here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. A5 Van der Spek Faith planner - Mary D'Angelo
  2. Van der Spek Touch Me Setup - sarahfilo_
  3. Van der Spek standard - Mary D'Angelo
  4. Gillio Amica Setup - June 2016 - Nursing Mama
  5. Gillio setup 6/15 - Alisha Burnett
  6. My new Gillio! - Milko Plans
  7. Gillio Amica review and setup June 2016 - MadeWithLoveCrafter
  8. Gillio Compagna Setup - June 2016 - Daisy Barreto
  9. My Gillio Medium Compagna in Epoca Orange - Marsia Bramucci
  10. Combining Planners | Filofax and Bullet Journal - Sam Kelley
  11. BULLET JOURNAL Filofax June 2016 SETUP/MySummerTouch - mysummertouch
  12. Mini Q & A Filofax vs. System - Filofax Girl
  13. Saffiano Filofax Zip compact unboxing - OrganizedMommyChaos
  14. Personal Filofax Siena in Cinnamon - Lily Louise
  15. Filofax Saffiano Compact Zip review! - Vegan Organizer
  16. Filofax Domino Planner Set up - EmpressRome
  17. Mein FiloFax - Jonthn89
  18. Filofax Finsbury Personal Review e Setup - Elaine Canha
  19. Spring 2016 New Malden Filofax Kingfisher Blue and Fuschia comparisson and review - Loretta Coles
  20. Setup Filofax burnt orange - plan.tastisch
  21. My FILOFAX и ERIN CONDREN Life Planner. Ежедневники, организация времени - Читаем с Алиной
  22. Filofax mini Malden Purple wallet in Dutch - It's all about Filofaxie
  23. How to hole punch paper for an A5 filofax UK - Livvy Molly
  24. My Planner Collection! | What Worked and What didn't (Midori, KS, Filofax) - Lisa Lachhman
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
My Week Posts
  1. My week #219 - Paper Lovestory
  2. My Week #25 In Review (2016) - Joannywhite.co.uk
  3. My Week #25 - Polkadotparadiso
  4. MTN WEEKLY 2016 #12 - Letters in November
Enjoy.


Free For All Tuesday No. 282

27 June 2016

A date for you diary - 3 July 2016

We are going to run another conference round-table voice/video/text chat using Skype a little later than normal this month due to my travel commitments.

When? - Sunday 3 July at the following times:
  • London 10:00 am, 
  • Paris 11:00 am, 
  • Brisbane 7:00 pm time.
Additionally we will be on line later in the day at the following times:
  • Los Angeles 8:00 am, 
  • Denver 9:00 am
  • Dallas 10:00 am, 
  • New York 11:00am, 
  • London 4:00 pm 
  • Paris 5:00 pm etc.  
See the World Clock to make sure you have the right time.

The timing of these two sessions have been chosen to hopefully allow as many people to join in compared to previous round-tables.

Do not worry if you aren't available at the start of one of our sessions each one lasts 2-3 hours so pop up when you are available and say hello.

Where? - an on-line chat using Skype. with voice and video (if you wish)

What do I need? - just a micro-phone and some head phones(in ear phones work fine) and a free Skype account. Using headphones or earphone reduces 'echo' on the call. Video is optional, but a few of us will be on video as well.

Who - All of you... connect up with Philofaxy and we will attempt to get as many of us linked in to the audio conference as possible. Come and listen if you don't want to chat.  What do we talk about? Filofax stuff... but anything else as well. It's like long lost friends meeting up for coffee and a catch up.. but don't worry if you have never joined in before... you are an old friend too!

If you have any questions you want to ask then please let us know in the group or before we start.

How -
  1. Connect to Philofaxy by firstly searching for Philofaxy in Skype, I will then add you as a contact.
  2. Then  'Send Contact Request',  I will then add you in to the chat room. 
  3. Then if you request it, I can add you to the audio conference as well. But if you just want to chat via keyboard that's fine. That way it's slightly less hectic for me!  
Come and join in the fun, even if you only pop in to say hello... but don't be afraid to join in the discussion.

As with previous round-tables there will also be a parallel text chat room going at the same time as the voice conference, so you can listen to the voice chat and type if you wish, just mute your microphone in Skype

If you need any assistance setting up Skype, please pop a comment in this post and I will try and help you get one line. Skype is free for computer to computer calls....

Here is my post on how to improve your Skype audio with headphones or a headset.

Hope to be chatting with you on Sunday 3 July 2016.

26 June 2016

Experienced User - Tina

Thank you Tina for sharing how she uses her organiser. 

I am a Lecturer / Researcher in Cultural Studies/ German Literature at an Irish University (originally I am from Germany) – and I am part of the generation that transitioned from the analogue to the digital age very consciously.

1. When did you start using an organiser?

When I was a student I constantly worked with some sort of binder system, because I might have had different classes on one day and didn’t want to carry multiple notebooks. Also binders made it easy to incorporate hand outs and library receipts directly. These were simple bulky a4 planners though, and they were a pain to carry around.

Right when I finished my Masters and started my PhD project in 2000, emails came up and library computers could suddenly be accessed off campus. More and more content could be saved digitally (since storage systems changed so quickly though, I still have my old notes on paper, but there is a 5 year gap of material from 2000-2005 that I can no longer access. Also in 2008, just when I had started a new job, somebody had hacked into my email account and had deleted all mails (which I had used to send myself work in progress and teaching materials I was intending to use at my new place).

It was then when I decided to go back to some sort of paper system, at least for the most important drafts and reusable elements of teaching units. I struggled for many years with different notebook systems, hating their inflexibility and messiness (despite of all sorts of indexing hacks, it bugged me that I could not differenciate between temporary notes and notes intended to stay – either the notebook filled up too quickly with information that I didn’t need anymore – making the more important information hard to find, or I started to tear out pages, which wasn’t pretty), yet enjoying their low weight and transportability.

It was only at the beginning of last year that I came across Filofaxes, when I was looking for lighter and prettier versions of binders. I knew of course that they existed, but for some reason it had never occurred to me that they could be used for different things than just hosting a diary and contact pages. As soon as I had realised their potential for me, I was hooked.

2. How has your use of an organiser changed over the years?

I had started with the idea of having one binder for “everything” and since I was very pragmatic and budget conscious at the beginning, I just bought an a5 domino. Then I realised that there was information in it, that I should not carry around (in case it got lost), such as marks of students or short notes to their performances in assessments.

I now have a “teaching binder” (still the Domino), and a “current research project and grant applications binder” (an Original in a5) in my office, and a “house/garden project binder” at home (personal Original). I also have an a5 “master” binder open on my desk that contains detailed scheduling, the most recent notes to my research project, health and exercise notes, career planning, renovation/ gardening projects, and my master to do list; even a section for my husband who tends to scribble things important to him on random lose pages that then end up at even more random places – so I secure them there whenever I happen to find one. This binder (an a5 Lockwood) is my brain extension and brain dump in one.



When I am away for more than a few days I can grab it, zip it, and know that in it is all I need.  It is, however, very heavy, and therefore I am also using a 2 level satellite system: Level 1 is my senior Van Der Spek which is my everyday companion.


Its format is perfect because I can easily take out the a5 pages that I need in the current week, punch them at the top and fold them in (it’s exactly a6 format then).



In its big backside pocket I can also fit a5 pages or folded a4 pages – of which I get many in meetings or seminars during a normal day. It also perfectly hosts index cards, which I use to learn Irish – so I can take the words and structures that I want to learn in the current week with me and make use of unexpected waiting times.

3. Which diary format works best for you and why?

I find that I work best with the dodo pad for forward planning (because it’s fun and makes the future appear really exciting and promising),



but once the future comes closer I need more structure and less distraction, and I am using the vertical appointments inserts that the planner came with, to plan out my exact weekly schedule one or two weeks in advance.


Practically all of my completed tasks somehow translate into an email that I have sent off or something that I have submitted online somewhere (with an email confirmation in return), or a book or article I have published, so that I have neither desire nor need to keep old diary pages. Hence what I do is I transfer my current week from my Lockwood to my Van der Spek, and once the week is over I tear it out and throw it away.

Oh, and level 2 of my satellite is a terribly unpractical little vintage wallet organiser (a Lincoln from 1989).


It was a very lucky eBay find (sold for almost nothing by someone who didn’t know what it was) and I am only using it when I want to go out without a bag. It just contains a credit card, some cash, my emergency contact, health insurance card, driving licence, some phone numbers, and a bit of note paper. It’s something that slips easy in a jacket pocket without bulking it. And it’s the lightest and most stylish way to carry note paper around!



4. What other information do you keep and maintain in your organiser. 

As for other items: I keep bus tickets, stamps, plain envelops, some cash, important receipts, café bonus cards and colour coding stickers in my planner. I don’t “decorate”, other than using pretty post cards as dividers.



5. Do you use a 'system' of organisation, and how does it work in your Filofax?

When it comes to my task list, as soon as a task comes in that requires more than an hour of work, it goes on my master task list, and if it needs an hour or less, I schedule it by putting it on a post it note and stick it in my diary at the first time I believe I will be free to do it at the right time of the day. If it’s a routine task, I will stick it to a free spot in the late afternoon, if it’s a task that requires alertness and focus, I stick it on the next free morning.

Also, when I am planning bigger projects I break them down in steps that I schedule long term, so there normally wouldn’t be many “free”  time slots available, however I try to keep at least an hour at  each  work day schedule unplanned for sudden emergencies. If no emergency occurs, I will look for such post it notes in the following days and will get it out of the way, and I do the same when an appointment is canceled – at least in theory, often enough I end up just enjoying some free time.

I am using a simplified version of GTD to keep my desk and my mind free. Every piece of paper or task-bearing email that comes in, goes into a “month” folder – this can be a bill that has to be paid or a conference call of an event where I want to participate. I don’t use different categories here but go strictly by the time in which something has to be dealt with. Once that month is close, usually at the last weekend of the old month, I grab the folder and schedule the tasks or do small things such as payments straight away.

That way I stay on track of things, without letting every incoming thing interrupt my flow.  It is important, however, when dealing with deadlines, to put things in the right folder – not the one in which the deadline expires, but the one in which I need to start working at it, to be done in time.

I am archiving relevant pages of planners that have become too bulky in upcycled vhs tape covers. I found out by accident that they have the perfect size for a6 as well as personal inserts.


6. Do you use one binder or several, and if several, how do you use them?

As mentioned above I am using different binders, but each of those is represented as a section in my master binder with its most current work in progress. My master planner is like the narrowest point of a Japanese fan: very stable, very concentrated, connected with every section of my life – and from there the other planners spread out in their distinct areas.

And whenever a new area becomes very bulky I know that the time is ripe for this area to deserve its own planner. Of course I could just get some cardboard office supply folders for it – but where would be the fun in that? Also I tell myself that since all of my planners but two are kept stationary – well, most of the time anyway –  and are therefore in perfect condition, it should be possible to resell them, should I once end up impoverished and be buried underneath the weight of my planning.


Thank you Tina.

If you would like to take part in this series please email steve@philofaxy.com and mark your email 'Experienced Filofax User'

25 June 2016

Web Finds - 25 June 2016

So I hope you have had a good week.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds - 18 June 2016
  2. Experienced User - Elena
  3. The Goldilocks effect (home in my Kensington)
  4. Free For All Tuesday No. 281
  5. Web Finds - 21 June 2016
  6. Guest Post – Dust Bags by gmax
  7. The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 17
  8. Free for All Friday No. 397 by Nan
So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.
  1. Filofax Original Lilac Setup - Jagged little thoughts
  2. Bullet Journal and Filofax - My Filofax Blog
  3. Lord Dodo (sorry, Kitchener) WANTS YOU! - Dodevoted
  4. Gillio Amica una vera Amica.....Gillio Amica, a true friend.... - La Bottega di Melany
  5. Recording Information using a Filofax - My Filofax Blog
  6. Filofax Adelphi Review - The Stationery Geekette
  7. Filofax Fun: Loving my Kikki K! Part 1. - The Tales of Me, life's little adventures...
  8. Getting out of my planner funk - changing things up (featuring my week #23) - She's Eclectic
  9. Favourite pens for my Filofax - My Filofax Blog
  10. Should You Bring Your Planner on Vacation? - Lil Divette
  11. How to Make All Those Lists Work in Your Planner -  Giftie Etcetera
  12. Filofax Fun: My Kikki-K part 2. - The Tales of Me, life's little adventures...
  13. Featured on Philofaxy - A Witty Take On Productive Ways To Maintain A Work/Life Balance
  14. Filofax crocheted cover - My Filofax Blog
  15. Iskolai szünet a “filofaxban” - FilofaxNi!
  16. Filofax Finking Friday 2 - My Filofax Blog
  17. Blog planning set up in my Kikki K - Polkadotparadiso
  18. The William Hannah Notebook - The Pen Addict
  19. 5 simple steps to help you get on track: Use your planner! - The Fabulous Planner
  20. Take Note - Filofax Blog
  21. Paperchase Nordic Planner Review - The Stationery Geekette
  22. Planner Friday - June - She's Eclectic 
  • We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

The videos and 'My week' posts will appear in their own post on Tuesday.

Enjoy.

24 June 2016

Free for All Friday No. 397 by Nan

Welcome to our weekly roundtable!

Do you have a section in your organizer that's completely freeform? Blank paper for doodling? Lined paper for idea capture?

How have you used this section in your life?

Of course, since it's Friday, all ring-bound organizer-related conversation is welcome!

23 June 2016

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 17

Managing Finances In Your Planner.

Money, Money Money! How to track the vast quantities you have you ask? 

Well, ask no more! In this week’s episode Steve and Karine reunite for another epic journey into the innards of a planner where finances, cash, cards and the like live (and hopefully breed when the lights go out). 

Sit back in a comfy seat, get yourself a refreshing beverage and turn up the volume on Managing Finances In Your Planner.

If you have ideas for future episodes please send them to steve at philofaxy dot com

Show Notes (timings approximate)

00:00 - Introductions
01:30 - Using your planner to know the figures each month .docx .pdf
03:00 - Where will you be using this information? What size to use?
05:00 - What is safe to carry with you?
06:00 - What to track, on a daily, weekly, monthly basis
07:45 - Car expenditure .doc .pdf
09:45 - Car documentation in a Gillio Giramondo
10:30 - Cash or Card
12:00 - Receipt envelopes by Ray Blake
13:30 - 13 column sheet
14:20 - Chequebook register .docx .pdf
15:00 - Wallet in a planner
15:30 - Dave Ramsey envelope system
17:30 - Malden as a wallet (Video)
18:20 - M2 as a wallet
19:30 - Carrying coins
20:45 - Pocket Malden
21:00 - Gillio coin holder and intelligent card wallet
23:00 - Keeping track of bank details when you have more than one bank account
24:30 - Informing your bank before you travel
26:30 - Planning so you can plan for emergencies
27:30 - What is on your To do list this week.

Episode 17 - Managing Finances In Your Planner


A direct download is also available here: Episode17.mp3

Show notes: A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

NB: A5 is in A4 format so it can be scaled to suit A5 or A6 size. Personal is for printing direct on Personal size paper.



Presenters - Karine Tovmassian and Steve Morton
Editing and production - Steve Morton

Our Websites: The Streamlined LifeThinker ExtraordinaireThinker Extraordinaire (Services) Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times

Naturally we would love to hear your feedback on the podcast. If you use iTunes please gives us your rating or reviews of the podcast.

Previous Episodes:

16 - Planning for those of us who actually can't live without planning, with guest co-host Carie Harling - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
15 - Automation NirvanaA5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
14 - Work Life Balance and Your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
13 - GTD Productivity And Using Your Paper Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
12 - Job Seeking and Keeping - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
11 - Planner Fail -  A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
10 - Planner Hacks - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
9 - Planner Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
8 - Choosing Inserts - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
7 - How do you carry your planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
6 - Planners on the go - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
5 - Why would you pay more than the price of a Filofax? - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
4 - Using Your Planner To Create Permanent Habit Changes - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
3 - Getting on with two or more planners - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
2 - Where to start your planning journey and why - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
1 - What size and why....  - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

22 June 2016

Guest Post – Dust Bags by gmax

Thank you again to Max for this article about dust bags to store your organisers

Yes - you really are reading an article about dust bags, and I really have written one. I can only reflect that Filomania knows no bounds!

It’s quite common for high-quality, leather items to come with a protective bag for use when storing or transporting them. Typically the material will allow some air permeation, to help avoid mildew etc. As well as keeping the dust off, a bag helps to prevent dents and scuffs on the leather.

However, I’ve found such protection is less common for Filofaxes.

Back in the 1980s some of the most expensive models did come with a “protective felt pouch”. This one contains a 9KLF “Grosvenor” kid leather wallet.



At some point I acquired another bag, this time with a drawstring. I don’t know when it dates from or what model it would have been supplied with. If anyone can provide insight then please do so.




What options exist on the market today? For personal size (which I use pretty much exclusively), I’ve found that cotton drawstring bags 20 by 24cm are ideal. I got these ones on eBay recently.


They are large enough for a 5/4” Winchester, as shown here. I think you would need a bag of the next size up for an A5 Filofax.


I reckon if items like handbags deserve a protective outer for storage, then so do Filofaxes.

There are a variety of bags at reasonable prices on Amazon too. 


21 June 2016

Web Finds - 21 June 2016

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts and videos from around the internet.

So here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Filofax Compariosn: Aston vs Finsbury - randompastimes
  2. My new Filofax! Cosa c'è nella mia Patent Nude? - christine.diary
  3. June 2016 Personal Filofax Malden Set Up - Patty Aizaga
  4. Set up Succes Junior Fred de la Bretoniere Filofax Pocket in Dutch - It's all about Filofaxie
  5. My bullet journal in my A5 Filofax - SarahPlans
  6. Filofax Domino Setup | Personal size | 2016 - AnnaMae K
  7. Meine neuen Planner von Filofax - Melanderlei
  8. Personal Filofax and Passport Midori Planners - Mady L
  9. Pros and cons of all five planner systems! - Vegan Organizer
  10. Personal size Filofax setup! - HappyPlace Planning
  11. Duck Egg Blue Patent Original Filofax - TheJollyFatElf
  12. My first A5 Filofax set up and a peek at the Kikki K Stockholm - August 2015 - Aimee Loves Paper
  13. Setup Filofax with Color Crush inserts and my Leuchtturm bullet journal - July 2015 - Aimee Loves Paper
  14. Filofax Malden Kingfisher Planner Unboxing and First Impressions - ArtJourneyUK
  15. Putting rings into a Filofax flex.. - UK Planner Bird
  16. Filofax Malden Fuchsia // Mein Setup // deutsch - Tanneliese Tannenbaum
  17. Filofax Nude Original A5 Unboxing - PlanWithMe ChristaMarie
  18. Planner Set Up A-Z | Part 7 (Kate Spade, Filofax) - Annie Smith
  19. My Franklin Covey Aurora Setup - eyes2jesus
  20. New Planner! Franklin Covey - Kaye Bella
  21. Why the Franklin Covey Planner is still useful - Time Management Blog
  22. How to set up your Franklin Covey Planner - Time Management Blog
  23. Planner Setup with DIYFish Monthly Inserts | Gillio Compagna Medium - PrettyNerdyAnamika
  24. Gillio compagna unboxing - Natalia Jarvis
  25. Gillio Compagna Setup |JUNE 2016| mom of 4 - Kerri Pouliot
  26. Van Der Spek Wochendeko - Black Inserts - Tess W
  27. Personal Van der Spek - Mary D'Angelo 
  • For tips on how to improve your videos, please see this post.  Also this video too Webfinds 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser Videos could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
My Week Posts
  1. My week #218 - Paper Lovestory
  2. My Week #24 (2016) - Joannywhite.co.uk
  3. Week 24 - Stationery Starlet
  4. My Week #24 - Polkadotparadiso
Enjoy.


Free For All Tuesday No. 281

This is a very special Tuesday. Why you might ask..... well it was ten years ago that Nan first appeared on Philofaxy with her 'Reporting for duty post' but the post the previous day announcing her arrival is also worth a read as well!

If Nan hadn't stepped in to the breech then we might not still be here.... Thank you Nan!

I'm sure she will have something special to say about the last 10 years on Free For All Friday this week!

Meanwhile......

20 June 2016

The Goldilocks effect (home in my Kensington)

I think that sometimes, like Goldilocks, we need to try out a number of things to find something that is 'just right' for us. As per my previous posts here and here, I had planned to keep a small number of binders (A5 Ascot, personal Dundee and vintage Coach). However, after signing up to an online decluttering course it occurred to me that owning more than one just makes me feel a bit crazy. It felt like a proper Eureka moment, and I'm not sure why I've persisted so long with something that doesn't match what my minimalist heart longs for! I think that I was more excited about selling them all than when I first purchased them... which definitely shows that it's the right choice for me.

Whilst the Dundee is a wonderful Filofax, I started thinking about the Kensington that I previously owned. Since purchasing it back in 2014, it's belonged to three different members of the community in the US. On the off-chance, I contacted the lovely Deb to say that if she ever changed her mind about it, then I would happily buy it back from her. Her response was, "Hi Anita, I don't intend to sell or trade the black Kensington, but I would be most happy to return it to you. My treat. I just need your address'. How kind and I love being part of such a lovely community!



So, what's so great about the Kensington and why this particular one?
I'd looked at some for sale on eBay and they just looked a bit too new for my liking. I love how this one has aged so that the leather is very soft and a bit puffy (as you can see where the front doesn't look flat). Most important Kensington qualities - soft leather, slim profile, design simplicity, light to carry when full, layout that can be used as a wallet and lies flat. Once upon a time I think I would've wanted something red, but nowadays colour seems to be less important to me than its function and tactile quality. Due to the softer construction, it holds more than the Dundee but has the same ring size.

My selling spree was so successful that I ended up owning zero binders for a short while (very weird), so I've been using a pocket Moleskine in a Raydori cover that Ray kindly gave to me. For project planning, I purchased a cheap A4 spiral bound project book (with handy movable dividers) and I am very much enjoying the extra page space that I've gained from moving up from A5. I haven't quite moved back into the Kensington, but I'm looking forward to the flexibility that comes with using a ringed binder. I will be using the same set up again and I guess that it feels like coming home.

19 June 2016

Experienced User - Elena

This week I would like to welcome Elena to share with us how she uses her organisers. 

Hi.  I’m Elena and am a full-charge bookkeeper for a property management company as well as run my own part-time bookkeeping service business.  Having used personal-sized ringed binders since the mid-90’s, I could never catch on to planning appointments, managing tasks and taking notes on either a desktop or mobile device.  Even though at work I use Outlook Calendar for future planning and recurring events, it all gets transferred to a daily page in my analog work journal.  It’s so much easier to pick up a pen, draw a task box, cross it off or jot a note on paper than it is to operate devices.  But that’s just my techno-challenged humble opinion ☺

But while I utilize the original Bullet Journal system at work, my personal, household, wallet and business are all mapped out, planned and managed in a Filofax Pocket Malden that I’ve been using steadily and happily since the beginning of the year.
                                           

1. When did you start using an organiser?  Ever since I happened upon a 1995 article in Mademoiselle called ‘Happiness Is A Worn Filofax’.  I had just found my first planner that happened to look exactly like the one in the article, on a clearance table at TJ Maxx.  I tore the article out for reference and kept it in the pocket of my new planner for reference and inspiration until it fell apart!  I’ve been hooked on ringed planners ever since!              
                                       


2. How has your use of an organiser changed over the years? Up until 2014, I’ve had kept the same layout: 3 business card inserts followed by week-on-2-pages, followed by a small notes section then A-Z tabs last.  Mind you, we didn’t have smart phones back when I began using a planner so there were no cool ‘apps’ to capture business card info and store contacts.  Even when I did begin using one, I still kept that information in my planner because it was how I was used to accessing it.  It wasn’t broke, so I didn’t fix it!

But between July 2014 and late 2015, I got bit by the bullet journal community bug, I put my ringed planner aside and took up a notebook.  Though I love the system and the simple way of managing bulleted tasks (which I still use), I needed the structure of dated inserts for planning.  Long story short, 1/1/16, I went back to rings, though I still adopt some of the bullet journal functions in my planner pages.

After using mainly personal-sized since the beginning, I decided to attempt downsizing to a pocket.  I won a Filofax Pocket Malden (pictured above) in an eBay bid for 50% of the retail price!  My goal for the new year was to be more focused and a smaller footprint forced me to put only what was necessary in it.  I also have it double as my wallet, keeping just a debit card, insurance card, license, paper money and coins in it.  The setup has been working wonderfully and am very comfortable using it.  The Malden is really a joy to hold!


3. Which diary format works best for you and why? I’ve always been a week-on-2-page loyalist since the beginning.  However, because the inserts that came with the pocket were so miniscule (and ate up a large amount of real estate by having the days of the week printed in 5 languages!)


I had to look for another option.  I was greatly inspired by a video from Kent From Oz how he uses a Moleskine Pocket Weekly Diary in his Filofax.  The pages were a week-on-1-page on the left and lined on the right for notes.  The dimensions were much larger than the inserts that came with the Malden, but fit perfectly inside.  Whereas Kent hole-punched the entire diary (covers and all), I (carefully!) deconstructed mine and hole-punched only the pages I wanted.  I can keep all of 2016 inside which allows me to future plan all pertinent dates, events and recurring tasks through the end of the year.  Now, I can’t imagine ever going back to a week-on-2-page format!


4. What other information do you keep and maintain in your organiser. Besides my diary inserts and wallet essentials, I have a small, expandable file pocket to hold receipts and another (which I removed from inside the back cover of the deconstructed Moleskine diary) that I keep postage and return address labels in.

I revamped the 1-6 tabs that came with the planner and made A-Z labels.  After enduring the anxiety of having lost my iPhone 2 weeks before Christmas, I had to reconstruct all my contact info (I hadn’t backed my phone up to iTunes or iCloud - ::hangs head in shame:: ) I used the tiny contacts pages that came with the planner to keep names, numbers, etc. in case I’m ever without my phone and need something.

Additionally, I also store tracking and reference information alphabetically as well such as shopping lists, doctor’s visits, hubs’ med list, bank account numbers, etc.  Example:  Med list is ‘M’, frequently purchased items and price list for Costco ‘C’, tracking info (when oil was last changed in my car, last hair-color appointment, etc) ‘T’, doctors’ visits notes ‘D’…..you get the point ☺

Lastly is the top-loading plastic sleeve that came with the planner.  I used to keep the postage and labels in there, but since moving those over to the expandable pocket, I put gift cards, business cards, etc. in here.  The slots in front are for my wallet items only.  I even took off the black front cover of the Moleskine diary, trimmed it down, hole-punched it and it serves as my dashboard where I keep sticky notes.  Just the basics, as I really can’t over-stuff this little guy.


5. Do you use a 'system' of organisation, and how does it work in your Filofax?   Since I’m able to keep an entire year’s diary inserts in the planner, I’ve recorded all important dates through the end of the year.  Birthdays, anniversaries, daylight savings time, tax filing deadlines, mortgage debit, trash night – I plunked them all in.  It took some time doing, and it was easier with the pages out of the rings, but – unless something changes – it’s a relief to have it all logged through the end of the year.  I don’t have anything going on that would require me to plan past 12/31/16 at the moment.

The week-on-1-page with notes is the heart of the planner.  When I had been using larger inserts (or even bullet journaling in a notebook) I had oodles of space.  It allowed me to be very detailed, but also turned my pages into an (organized) mess.  Having every square inch of my inserts filled did not fool me into looking more productive.

By downsizing my planner, I also had to reduce what I put into it, as well as how I wrote things in. Lately, I’ve been condensing and abbreviating when I remember to.  I don’t have to write ‘buy birthday card for Greg’, but rather ‘b-day card-Greg’ or ‘email Kelly for April bookkeeping work’ can be replaced with ‘@Kelly-April docs’  I realized I didn’t have to spell everything out in full, grammatically correct sentences – just in a way that made sense to me in order to get it done.

I also keep the setup in the same order as when I began it in January.  Dashboard with a few sticky notes on it, pocket with postage/labels, diary inserts, A-Z tabs, receipt pocket then plastic top-loading insert.  The back slot just holds extra inserts and pen loop holds a retractable Sharpie (hooked on the outside) Keeping my system functioning smoothly means keeping it familiar and simple.


6. What routines and structures do you use?  Because it’s also my wallet, it’s open when I’m making a purchase so as soon as I’m handed a receipt, it automatically gets put into the receipt pocket right after I slide my debit card back into its slot.  Once a week, I take the receipts out to post to my discretionary spending tracker.  I usually write ‘Post Receipts’ in the notes section (right hand side) as a reminder.

Tasks such as these which are not time/date sensitive, but I would like to get to that week, are put on the Notes side, bullet journal-style.  I use an open checkbox designating a task to be done, color it in when it’s completed, x it out if it doesn’t need to be done, or use a right arrow showing that it’s been migrated elsewhere.  Those are the only facets of the bullet journal system I use in the planner.  At the very top of the Notes section, I reserve a few lines to list Bills Due (outlined in pink – softer than red) that week (Wednesday is bill-payment day)  I write the name of the bill, the amount and the actual due date there, always being sure that they’re paid whatever Wednesday is before the due date.

Below that are tasks that I’d like to get to that week or had already been previously logged there to be done that week (example: in March I remembered to schedule my annual dermatologist appointment for July so, first week of July, I have a ‘schedule derm appt’ task bulleted in the Notes section since it isn’t time-sensitive – just should get done that month.  I add anything else that comes to mind that I’d like to tackle this week that, again, isn’t time sensitive.  If it doesn’t get done, I’ll either migrate it to another week or x it out altogether.

What goes on the weekly page (left side) are tasks, appointments and events that are truly date and/or time-driven.  I have three rotating tasks I do religiously every week – check online bank balances on Monday, put out trash Tuesday and pay bills Wednesday.  Bills that are auto-drafted out of the checking account on specific days are written in and circled with pink.  Pay day/direct deposit days are circled in green.  Appointments/events (such as a birthday) are circled in blue because I need these to stand out.  I follow this specific structure throughout the planner pages. It’s simple, yet functional, and allows me to separate what truly ‘needs’ to be done (why, yes, I really DO need to schedule watering my newly sprouting potato plants on a routine basis!) from what I’d like to get done (finishing this post!)


What I really love the best about this layout is that it gives me the dated structure I need for time-sensitive stuff as well as the freedom of blank paper to indulge my love for task boxes and bulleted notes!  My only wish was that the right hand side was grid instead of lined.  Maybe I can petition Moleskine for a new design ☺ ☺

7. Do you use one binder or several, and if several, how do you use them? Because there are days (well, every day actually!) where more comes up other than what’s in my planner, I use a companion notebook to create daily pages.  I was gifted a lovely Linshi Tasks traveler’s notebook that holds a blank and lined insert.  The lined one holds long-term lists and projects while the blank one is used for daily pages, notes and journaling.  Once this is full, I have a grid insert (because I love grid!) ready to take its place for tasks/notes only as I want to keep journaling separate.

How I work this is that, usually the night before, I check my Filofax planner to see what’s on the agenda for the next day.  I then scan the right side for anything on the ‘want to do’ list to see if I’d like to attempt getting it done.  Everything is then transferred to a daily page in my insert.  The planner goes back in my bag while the TN stays pretty much open on my desk (another reason I want to move the journaling out).  Because my planner also doubles as my wallet, I feel better leaving the TN out and open instead (even though I’m the only one in the office when the boss isn’t traveling).

Using the TN as a ‘working journal’ of sorts allows my Filofax to maintain its use without changing it up or adding too much to it.  This is where the consistency of the setup and keeping it uncluttered has helped me to focus on what’s important.


Thank you Elena, be sure to check out her blog. Weekend Wife

If you would like to take part in this series please email steve@philofaxy.com and mark your email 'Experienced Filofax User'

18 June 2016

Web Finds - 18 June 2016

So I hope you have had a good week.

So now it is time to enjoy a great collection of blog posts from around the internet, so grab a drink and make yourself for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds - 11 June 2016
  2. Readers Favourite Organiser - Annie
  3. Guest Post – Lefax Duplex by gmax
  4. Free For All Tuesday No. 280
  5. Web Finds 14 June 2016
  6. Filofax Inserts
  7. The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 16
  8. Free For All Friday No 396 by Laurie
So here are the latest Filofax and other brand blog posts from around the Internet. Don't forget to leave a comment on the posts you enjoyed reading, all bloggers enjoy getting comments.
  1. Updated Setup – June 2016 – in my Van Der Spek - Art of Memories
  2. Filofaxos angol rövidítések és jelentésük magyarul - FilofaxNi!
  3. Writing Wednesday: Simplified Bullet Journal Part 3: Planning (or not) in your Bullet Journal - Quo Vadis Blog
  4. Morning Routine and Filofax Routine - My Filofax Blog
  5. Changes - personal again - From Chaos to Order
  6. You know you're a planner addict when... - Stationery Starlet
  7. Recensione Italiana Discagenda Manta - My Last Eureka
  8. GTD Trigger List For My Blog Planner - The Stationery Geekette
  9. Reasons to get a Gillio - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  10. Where to put old diary pages - My Filofax Blog 
  11. May planner review - Lucy-Wonderland
  12. Álom-filofax bolt - FilofaxNi!
  13. Comparison: Aston vs Finsbury - Random Pastimes of a Restless Mind
  14. What's not in my Filofax - My Filofax Blog 
  15. Planners with fountain pen friendly paper - Quo Vadis Blog
  16. Making your planning work for others - The Organizeaholic 
  17. My Planner Inserts Review - The Stationery Geekette
  18. B-day Planner Sale is ON! - Lime Tree Fruits
  19. Keeping a Monthly Master Calendar in Your Planner -  Giftie Etcetera
  20. Planner Page Decoration - Mrs Brimbles
  21. Do You Need a Planner Intervention? - Strange & Charmed
  22. Filofax Finking Friday - 1 - My Filofax Blog
  23. Miért válaszd a filofaxot? - FilofaxNi!
  • We monitor over 400 blogs and sites, your Filofax/Organiser blog posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • We can not guarantee people will read your posts, but we know there is a higher chance of people reading your posts and returning to read other posts if you make them interesting with pictures and good hints and tips. Do not forget to give your posts a title... 
  • Your Filofax/Organiser posts could appear in this list, just contact philofaxy at gmail dot com to be added to our monitoring list. 
  • For some general tips on Filofax Blogging, please see this post
We are on the look out for more people to take part in Reader Under the Spotlight. If you would like to appear in this feature then please contact Steve : philofaxy at gmail dot com  Thank you.

The videos and 'My week' posts will appear in their own post on Tuesday.

Enjoy.