Years ago, contacts were one of my Filofax's (or Day-Timer's) main functions. I had pages and pages filled with the home/work/vacation addresses and the various phone numbers of my friends and work contacts. Although many people used a Rolodex at work, I liked being able to carry that information with me, especially when I was juggling several part-time, freelance, and volunteer jobs. Nothing beats a ring-bound organizer for that kind of record keeping.
Now I find that just one set of Slimline A-Z tabs is enough. Truly, if I were better about maintaining the contact apps on my computer and cellphone, I wouldn't even need those. But I like having just the essential phone numbers on paper in case my cellphone runs out of battery power or crashes and I really need to order my favorite pizza!
How big a part do contacts play in your Filofax?
Today being Friday, all topics are welcome, as well.
That's interesting! That's the one thing I -don't- use my Filo(s) for. I keep all my contacts on my BlackBerry and laptop. I always have either or both close to hand.
ReplyDeleteI keep all contacts in my Filofaxes. In my main Filofax I have a backup list of all the numbers in my phone in case my phone gets lost. I have the addresses of everyone I know in my purple A5 that stays at home. Addresses and contacts of people I contact regularly are in my main Filofax, and I update these as needed.
ReplyDeleteI have emergency contact lists in there too. Whenever I move, it's easy to remove this list and replace it with all the new emergency numbers in my new location.
I barely use the contacts section - all my contacts are on my BlackBerry, and the 'mothership' version live either on Outlook or Google Contacts according to my current whim (currently Google, as I am using both a desktop and a laptop, making cloud computing the way to go).
ReplyDeletebasically I can access any contact in a couple of keystrokes of the BlackBerry, making that the one area (and only area) where the BB actually outperforms the FF. Now if I could make calls on my FF that might change.....
Happy Friday :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the same as terriknits, as in that's the only thing I've never used a filo for. All my contacts are on my iPod touch which I normally have on me.
Yes, I use Outlook, synced with my iPhone via the Cloud. I do carry address pages in my FF, but just a couple of blanks to capture new details. It's such a pain entering them on my phone I'd rather take them down on paper until I can get to a PC and enter them in Outlook. Being able to dispense with the A-Z tabs reclaims quite a bot of space in the binder.
ReplyDeleteI use outlook and sync with my iPhone. My outlook data is also backed up online using carbonite. I am not the best at capturing info initially (for example I don't always add a prospect until to really do start working with someone.
ReplyDeleteI am interested to hear how others use the a-z tabs. For example I currently have store computer user names and passwords etc but I'm sure there are a lot more ideas!
@Alison R... a post coming up on Sunday about other uses for A-Z tabs.. thanks for the post idea.. I have several other uses. All explained in detail!
ReplyDeleteAt home I have a Filo just for addresses. In my daily-filo I just have the name and the telephone number. If I loose my filo I don´t want anybody to have all the adresses.
ReplyDeleteI have my old Domino Filofax at home that contains my addresses and phone numbers (as well as diary pages that I've used) as I don't need these when I'm out and about. I keep all my phone numbers on my mobile phone. I have a list of important/regularly-used phone numbers in my current Filofax in case I lose my phone or the battery runs out, but I don't use the address tabs at all in this.
ReplyDeleteI thought about using them for passwords but I have my own template pages that I put my passwords on and I think using the tabs would bulk out my Filofax too much. I would definitely be interested to hear ideas about what other uses there are for tabs though!
A little off the topic of contacts, but I saw an adorable yellow mini metropol at the Sam Flax in Atlanta yesterday. It was reduced to $12.99! Should I go back and get it? I have no idea what to use it for, but it was so darn cute! Maybe I could give it to my 8 year old daughter, who has her own Faux-filo.
ReplyDeleteI took the A-Z dividers out as they added bulk, but I do keep all my contacts in my Filo. I don't trust my laptop or blackberry!
ReplyDelete@Kelly Marriott. I use my mini baby pink zipped Finsbury for shopping lists. Handy. xx
ReplyDeleteMy addressess are in my slimline filo in my handbag along with a WPP diary in the slimline with the current half of this week's review on the facing page.I have an A5 at home for addressess and reference pages eg maps, weights and measures pages etc. Handy to have a small address book when out, in case I see just the right card for someone which I can then post off.
ReplyDelete@Steve - thanks! look forward to it.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if others know but you can print out the address list from outlook - if you do it as an A4 booklet, then it comes out double sided perfectly laid out for the A5 binder. Just have to guillotine the pages and punch. One tip though - if you want to use the A-Z indexes, you have to print them out in sections for each index, otherwise they just follow on (hope that makes sense!).
I also keep contacts in my perfectly purple pocket finchley, that I always carry in my bag. I pledged to start writing more letters and cards, but I would buy a card or write a quick letter while waiting for the kids' activities to be over, and then I would toss it in a pile to address later. Never happened! So, like Butanben, if I see a cute card or dash off a letter, I can look up the addy quickly and post it right away. I also keep stamps and cute stickers in a plastic pocket.
ReplyDeleteMy contacts (work and personal) are on my iPhone (and backed up on Mac). Works well for me as all link with Google maps and other software BUT I always keep essential numbers in my Filofax. I have been stranded on numerous occasions and my phone battery has died.... Filofax to the rescue. Numbers I keep include hubbies, parents, in-laws, kiddums nursery, and a few close friends (my real phone a friend when in a pickle) - all mobile and landline. If travelling I also always write down the airline and hotel etc contact details in my Filofax for the same reason (battery dying)! Works for me...
ReplyDeleteThose of you that use your phone to store contacts - do you store full postal addresses? Just checking, as I am unsure of the best contact storage method. I tend to store my phone and email details on phone, but not postal addresses. I'm leaning to the outlook filofax sync via printing pages as the best solution.
ReplyDeleteChanging the subject... I have read quite a few posts where readers have mentioned they prefer to write in a fountain pen. I too prefer fountain pens to biros etc. I use Parker fountain pens. I currently have two, an ordinary nib and an italic nib. I have used both of these pens on various Filofax pages with no bleeding. The ink I use is the 'washable blue' Parker cartridges. Many people I have met don't like to write with blue ink, but this particular blue has been Filofax friendly for me.
ReplyDelete@ Lynne - I keep full contact details in outlook which syncs to my iPhone. Have needed postcodes regularly when using my sat nav!
ReplyDeletei keep all my numbers in my phone- i have an android, so they're all synced with my google account, this summer my phone flew out of a car window (don't ask) and it took a couple of seconds for them to zip onto my new phone.
ReplyDeleteBUT i keep the numbers that are absolute essentials (mum, dad, boyfriend etc) in a couple of pages of address book in my filofax, to use in the interim of me replacing my phone (i am SUCH a klutz) and all my addresses.. of which i have about 5- i never get the chance to send letters anymore...
i find the a-z tabs take up too much room though
I also don't keep my contacts in my A5, but have a handful in my pocket (though thinking of changing the set-up to be a 'store card' wallet and shopping list file). I do keep my 'essential' phone numbers on a post it note behind my trI also don't keep my contacts in my A5, but have a handful in my pocket (though thinking of changing the set-up to be a 'store card' wallet and shopping list file). I do keep my 'essential' phone numbers on a post it note behind my transparent fly (A5) and in a transparent envelope (pocket)for when my phone battery is low.
ReplyDeleteQuick Question: does anyone know if Yvotchka renamed her blog 'Seems Like A Good Idea at the Time' or perhaps moved it?? It was so funny!
I keep a full address book in my at-home Filo (currently an A5 Finchley, soon to be my Malden). In my compact (which I carry with me everywhere), I have phone numbers only for emergency contacts, doctors, and services I use often (car repair, day spa, etc.). Of course I have all phone numbers in my phone as well, but I never fully trust technology - I need a paper backup just in case. Every once in a while (maybe on an annual basis), I sync all of these things and purge old information. It's a lot but it allows me to keep everything up to date.
ReplyDelete