13 March 2012

Free For All Tuesday No. 58

Once again we open the floor to you to ask any Filofax related questions. And hopefully we will be able to find you some answers too.... so fire away...

43 comments:

  1. I thought I'd share with you that I am using squared paper as notepaper and I am dividing the page in two- one half for home and the other for job related notes.The paper comes from the Philofaxy files. I have coloured in the squares in a pattern across the middle, so that it looks like a washi tape type divider. Making these pages is actually quite relaxing to do in front of the tv of an evening.Does anyone else colour in squared paper or doodle in their Filofax to divide areas and sections of notepaper up?

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    1. I went to Bill Westerman's Getting Sh*t Done system in November of last year just to try it, and at the first of the year I liked it so well that I switched over to it completely. Now I use the tabbed month on 2 pages, and cut my squared paper from A-4 Rhodia pads. The paper is oh so nice, and as I have retired now, I don't have near the appointments to keep track of, but still have much to do. I find this system works really well for me, and the real bonus is, it enabled me to get away from the Filo paper.

      There is a link on this site for that system, plus a big comment section on Flickr, just type in Bill Westerman and it will take you right to the link.

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    2. Hi Crofter

      I'm just experimenting with the Bill W GSD 'system', I'll report back here in due course. This has been prompted by the decision that I now have to give up using 'standard' FF inserts due to the incredibly poor paper quality, and also a bit of frustration with the proliferation of lists which seems to be arising out of GTD

      Watch this space!

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    3. Hi David,

      I looked at GTD and it seemed to me to be a bit overkill, I spent so much time keeping up with it that I felt it actually cut down on my productivity. All the reviews and such. With GSD, you do a review everyday, just look at the list tells me all I need to know. To me, I was able to do more doing and less planning. Everybody is different, so if it works for you, that is all that matters.

      I know how you feel about Filofax paper. There are some of their forms that I still use, Motor Running Record is a favorite, but here again I just run them on Rhodia plain paper, cut them to size and punch them and it works great.

      I will be interested to hear what you decide to do!

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    4. Have you invested in a Filofax Doodle, Butanben?

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  2. Hi all,
    Has anyone got any good ways of storing unused inserts? I don't have any packaging or a spare binder. Just interested in the communities ideas.
    Thanks in advance

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    1. Also practical are the Ikea DVD or CD-boxes. You could make some extra cardboard dividers, to have everything sorted in an obvious way.

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    2. I keep mine in a small tray in a desk drawer.

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    3. I've got mine in a white box which I chose especially because it was A5 - however I found that is was that size when you take the lid into account, so when you load with A5 the lid fits only precariously! I was trying to get my desk and surrounds looking tidy - I may investigate the 9 litre really useful boxes - especially as they do a deep version with a raised lid - will get my tape measure out!

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    4. Europa (stationery brand sold by Rymans in the UK) do an expanding file that's the perfect width and just a bit longer than tabbed dividers for Personal size Faxes, I have two and found them perfect for storing my inserts and things, and for A5 I use a DVD box from Paperchase.

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    5. I just keep mine in my bottom desk drawer. Tidy it isn't.......:)

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  3. @Iain:
    I use either an old square cookie tin (1kg size) else a Really Useful Box 9L size

    http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/uk/index.php

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  4. Can I just remind people of the Commenting Guidelines which are published here: http://philofaxy.blogspot.com/p/commenting-guidelines.html

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    1. Am I missing something ....???????

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    2. Talking about offensive ... You should see some of the security words, blogger gives me! Ouch! LOL

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  5. Hello, my first time posting on Philophaxy, though I've been reading avidly since Christmas when clever Santa ;-) brought me my first Filofax. I bought an A5 punch to go with it and it is rubbish. Having read through the archives I'm going to buy the Rapesco punch and punch twice but have a question about it -

    Can the Rapesco punch go through card? Like postcards and thick crafting papers?

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    1. Hello and welcome...
      So which A5 punch did you buy? Have you considered the KW Trio punch. If you look in Adspot you will see them for sale there.

      The Rapesco P66 punch will punch through thin card ok. Postcards ok, and up to about 5 sheets of paper ok.

      Regards
      Steve

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    2. And it was the Filofax portable punch I bought initially. Not sure what use it would be really.

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    3. The plastic ones are only good for single sheet paper punching and they aren't that good at that really. I was given one a few years ago, after a short time it stopped punching cleanly and the paper would tear easily.

      Steve

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  6. Oh my, I hadn't even seen the Adspot! The KW Trio would certainly be handier as it does the A5 size already. Hmm. Is there anything else to choose between the two?

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    1. Not as far as I'm aware, quite a few of our readers have the KW Trio and they are guaranteed for 15 years

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    2. Sounds good, I'll have a ponder. Thank you!

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    3. My KW Trio is MUCH better than my Rapesco!! I vote for that one!!

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  7. Scoot - I agree that the Laura Ashley prints you linked to are more likely to appeal to women rather than men, however I think the decision about whether to buy 'attractive boxes' of whatever design is determined by whether visuals are important to you. If the boxes are likely to be on show then I perfectly understand why anyone would want to pay more. However if you have room to stash them away in a cupboard somewhere, then a cheaper option might be a better option - as long as it is functional.

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  8. I have the KW Trio and it's great!

    On another note, I am thinking about an A4 filifax... I use alot of A4 sheets for work and I can't get them to work in A5 format. I already use an A5 as my life planner and another A5 for my part time job. My full time one requires something bigger. it's either that or a standard ringbinder and I do so want something better. Does anyone have any recomendations on a particular model? I won't be using it as a diary as all, just for different projects & notes. I am a little disappointed that black seems to be my only option, but hey I guess black is professional.

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    1. I have an A4 Strata which I managed to pick up cheaply on eBay. For me personally, it looks quite boring & too masculine so I've purchased some Swarovski crystals to bling it up. On the plus side, it's a filo, holds quite a lot & is pretty light for its size. I was originally eyeing up some cherry Classics, but they still go for more than I wanted to pay 2nd hand & would be much heavier.
      Could've gone for a normal binder, but the pockets & writing pad are handy & I do think it looks more professional for when I'm seeing clients.

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    2. An A4 binder or folder with an iPad holder built in would interest me at the moment.... Malden one especially!... Justsayin!

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    3. Steve I am SO with you there, that would be wonderful!

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    4. I have an A4 Cherry Classic - I bought it because I was convinced it was the answer to my everyday organisation, but I found it a bit too big to have open on my desk all the time, and when travelling to clients with a pad and some file papers a document folder would do just as well. Which reminds me that I also have a Camel A4 document folder that I had planned to use for this purpose. Both are really beautiful, and I wish I could get more use out of them, but there is always a but ...

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    5. A4 with ipad holder ---- yum!

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  9. Cat, Filofax will be introducing the raspberry Finsbury in A4 size soon! If you don't like black, I would wait for that one!

    If I need A4, I always end up choosing A4 binders, sometimes in a more "appealing" look. For me, there is really not need for the A4 binder to have a closure snap, so I'll save me the money ;-)

    P.S. I also have the KW Trio. The best feature is being able to punch Pocket, Personal AND A5 sized paper. I love it, and it is in full service here. Never failed me!

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    1. Thanks Jotje, I would seriously love that, but do we know when it's coming? I want it now! I have no patience when it comes to filos :)

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    2. According to my reliable source of information... it will be sometime in March... and we are nearly half way through so soon I would say!

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    3. Fab, thanks Steve, I think I might just hold out then. Although I won't enjoy having to pay full price, I do like a bargain. Although if City Organiser gets them I can use their fab code :)

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    4. I asked Filofax when the Compact Finsbury in raspberry would be coming out and they said 'in the next couple of weeks'. That was on 5 March . . .

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  10. Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying using Steve and Ray's A5 Amended Time Management Week per View diary. Think I have found my perfect format. Thanks guys!

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    1. And we have year planners out later today...

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    2. Nicer to be able to write on good paper, too, isn't it?

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    3. Ray, you're so right!! I've printed my Philofaxy amended TM WPV off on my usual standard paper, but now it is working well for me, I shall use some of my Conqueror paper. You've read my mind in that I am yearning to do that now!! I've put your MOTP onto Conqueror vellum style paper now for my job search updates. I've looked at the planners new out today too. Middle of the night insomnia has had me reading philofaxy. Amazing the number of formats there are actually, which is just great. I've said it before, but I think being able to *actualize* these onto the computer is such a talent and must be great creative fun for you both too.Isn't it wonderful when you can share a talent for the enjoyment of others too? Think I have mucked up with my use of pens though.Gel ones from WH Smith, so I can colour code my diary. They are fabulous colours,and I love them, but run out quickly.... maybe all gel pens do, but I think I will have to investigate the range of multi coloured diary pens available out there.

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  11. Why are filofaxes so addictive?? Got back down to two & have just bought a bargain personal Domino snake on eBay. No enabling required from you peeps! Looks like it was one of the beauty gift box ones as only things missing are the atomiser pen & voucher.

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    1. Sounds like a good excuse to enable the purchase of a new pen and gorgeous atomiser perfume. *Ahem* *Cough* just to go with the beautiful Filofax. Enjoy your new Domino..... sounds fabulous.

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    2. Oooowwwww I so want an A5 Snake Domino! Enjoy your new beauty!

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  12. I think that the universe may be telling me to go on a diet, as one of my double passwords in replying here was oinks!!! Hmmmm!! Is my computer web-cam secretly bugged, FBI style, to catch me eating fattening munchies?? After all,I've always said, if you eat chocolate whilst reading Philofaxy, the calories don't count,right???

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