Philofaxy: July 2020

31 July 2020

Free for All Friday No. 612

Once you've decided on a diary or organizing system, how long does it usually last before you make a change? I'm not talking about your organizer or binder; I'm talking about what's inside it...your day-per-page or month-per-page calendar, your notetaking system, your custom forms , and so on. 3 months? 6 months? Days? (It happens.) Of course, since it's Friday, all discussion of ring-bound organizers is welcome!

30 July 2020

Punches

There are a lot of different punches available now. I've reviewed and I own most of them! Your punch collection has to be in proportion to your organiser collection... no?

This post contains links to various punches on sale at Amazon UK and Amazon USA. There are also links to various posts on Philofaxy when they were featured/reviewed.

Filofax used to sell their own brand one size punches, but they only appear to stock the plastic ones now for A5 Clipbooks. However, I did find this multi-size one on Filofax Germany and also Filofax France.

For A5, Personal, A6, Pocket and Mini, we recommend the following punches. Not identical to this particular one, but the one I have featured in this post.

If you only want a punch for Personal, A6, Pocket and Mini with only occasional punching of A5 pages this punch is suitable. It was reviewed in detail in this post. The older design was featured in this post.

Note to punch A5 you need to punch one set of three holes then the other three after turning the paper over. See this post for a demonstration on how to use it for A5.

This punch is also suitable for Mulberry A5 which uses the same hole spacing as Filofax Personal size, whilst their agenda size uses A6 spacing.

You will also find other stockists on this Rapesco website page.

For Filofax Refillable Notebooks this punch will do all page sizes.

In UK this page will help you find a local stockist of Filofax products.

For William Hannah disc bound planners this punch is very suitable.

This is the same as the Arc system from Staples. I imported mine from the USA because it worked out cheaper. To see the type of holes it punches, see the William Hannah review.

This is a suitable punch for Deskfax B5 9 hole pages. A similar punch was reviewed here.

If you like your pages to have rounded corners, these punches are great for making a neat job of your page corners.

In UK this page will assist you to find a local supplier of Fiskars products

If you want to get back to this post quickly we have placed the text and links on a special page you can find it at https://philofaxy.com/punch/.

Steve Morton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

29 July 2020

Video Web Finds - Wednesday 29 July 2020

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

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

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

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.

You might also be interested in Planner Spread Love on Facebook.

Enjoy

28 July 2020

Free For All Tuesday - No. 495

So what questions or discussion points have you got for us today?

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a more experienced user of organisers, we want to hear your thoughts, questions, opinions etc.

We are here to answer your questions.

Make today the one day you post a comment or a question.

It is Tuesday after all so fire away with any questions and comments.

27 July 2020

A Date For Diary - Sunday 2nd August 2020

Given the success and the number of people that took part in the last 'Virtual Meet Up' we are going to run another one.

When? - Sunday 2 August at the following time:

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.

Do not worry if you aren't available at the start of one of our sessions each one lasts 1-2 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)

Join the chat here: https://join.skype.com/A85fEyS7HPUP

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... Join the chat here: https://join.skype.com/A85fEyS7HPUP 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.

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.

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 2 August 2020.

26 July 2020

Silent Sunday

A5 Gillio Mia Cara

25 July 2020

Web Finds - Saturday 25 July 2020

So I hope you have had a good week

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

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:

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.

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
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

Enjoy

24 July 2020

Free For All Friday No 611 by Laurie

I talk a lot about how much I love the flexibility of a Filofax. It can be anything I want at the time, and I can change how I use it whenever I want.

Some of the purposes I have for my Filofax binders:

My A5 Filofax that stays on my desk contains my far-future monthly pages, home reference info, work reference info, and finances.

My language-learning Filofax allows me to have categories (vocabulary/ verb tenses/ grammar) that can each expand as they need.

My journaling Filofax lets me break ideas and themes out into their own sections.

My goals book gives me a place to focus on me, with trackers, inspirational quotes, annual and monthly goal declarations in my different roles, and my favorite page in my goals book: My Why.

What about you? Do you have different books for different purposes?

And as always on Fridays, feel free to ask and/ or discuss anything ring-binder organizer related!

23 July 2020

Moterm pocket (A7) binder - by Anita

In many ways, I am often a creature of habit, especially if I've found something that works well and is efficient for me. This is definitely the case when it comes to my Filofax set up. I may have bought and sold many binders over the years, but when this happens, it's normally to the same size and the contents are simply moved into the new acquisition.

Maybe it's due to the coronavirus, or that I'm due to leave a job that I've done for 13 years, but I woke up a couple of weeks ago craving a complete change in my organiser (quite unlike me!) At first, I resisted the feeling as I'm not in planner fail and my Kensington is working well (as usual). However, sometimes change can be beneficial, so I decided to go with it! After all these years of using my GTD based set up and then my simplified one, I will instead be trying out a pocket Moterm in a bullet journal layout.

Work has been SO busy since I've been working from home and I think because of that, I feel that I want something with some more daily structure. I will be keeping my Kensington as an A to Z with my notes and reference info, but the Moterm is going to be about daily capture and getting stuff done. As this is a bit of an experiment for me, I decided that I didn't want to spend too much, in case it doesn't suit me. At first, I was hoping to pick up a cheap secondhand ochre pocket Malden, but none were to be found, so I headed over to the Moterm store on AliExpress, after hearing good things about the brand in the community.

I decided to go for the simplest binder with the catchy title of:
Genuine Leather Rings Notebook A7 Size Silver Binder Mini Agenda Organizer Cowhide Diary Journal Planner with Credit Card Slots

This is the Litchi grain leather in purple.

On the inside, you have three credit card slots on the left with a full length slip pocket behind, and then another slip pocket on the right. The binder lies flat out of the box and the pockets are easy to get into, as the leather is quite soft and supple. I love the pebbly texture.

The binder doesn't have a pen loop, but after having a bit of a play I've realised that it doesn't really need one. As I did with my tan Kensington, it's possible to use my Muji metal pen holder, or even just slip the Kaweco Sport pen clip in the same position.,

It's also possible to just add your pen inside the elastic, as I've done here with my TWBI fountain pen.

There is a choice of refills available (blank, ruled, grid, dotted grid or craft paper).

If you don't specify when ordering, they will send you ruled refills, which is what I have.

I had planned to get the dark khaki (grey) colour, but it was out of stock, so I instead went with the purple. It's a difficult colour to photograph as it tends to come out brighter and more pink than in real life. I think that it's more a dark raspberry, instead of a true purple, but I like it.

Here it is in comparison with my purple sweatshirt for comparison.

As I don't know if pocket size will suit me, I've decided that I'm not going to buy anything, but instead re-purpose items that I already own and cut up paper from old notebooks, once I use up the refills included.

For example, I've discovered that this passport Midori zipper pocket is a perfect fit and I've just slipped one side into the back full length slip pocket. I may not need it, but I'm going to keep rummaging in my Filofax and stationery box to see if I have any other goodies like this that might fit.

Rhodia pocket notepad that I've had for years and never used.

Comparison with my personal Kensington.

My Kensington is due a clear out here as it's fatter than normal, due to receipts and notes in the pockets.

Slight difference in size, compared with A4!

Lastly, I've never purchased from AliExpress before, but was very impressed with everything, especially as this binder only cost £16 GBP including postage. Due to the cheaper price, I also didn't need to pay any VAT or import duty on the package. The binder arrived within 10 days from China and the packaging was excellent, a sturdy box within a padded envelope and then a drawstring bag. Also included was a spare elastic and a card with some more details about the Moterm Facebook group. They are also available on Amazon USA.

22 July 2020

Video Web Finds - Wednesday 22 July 2020

So I hope you have had a good weekend.

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

Here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.

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.

You might also be interested in Planner Spread Love on Facebook.

Enjoy

21 July 2020

Free For All Tuesday - No. 494

20 July 2020

Planner or organiser? - by Anita

Whilst reading some posts the other day in the Facebook group, I noticed that different people will refer to their Filofax as an organiser, planner or Filofax. Thinking back to some of my posts here, I have also called mine a binder as it's really just a cover, so that you can keep whatever contents that you require. I had a little look on some company websites and think it's interesting that they also use different names too:

Filofax - organiser
Van der Spek - ring organizer
Gillio - planners and covers
Moterm - rings notebook.

When I think of the word 'planner', I suppose it makes me think more about planning events etc., so I suppose I consider mine more of an organiser, if I had to choose between the two.

On Filofax's About page, they have this information - 'In 1921, a London based company was formed to market personal organisation systems in the UK by mail order. In 1930 they registered the trademark "Filofax", the name having derived from the description "file of facts".

I really like that the brand name derives from 'file of facts' as in some ways, this is an excellent description for my A to Z section as it houses reference information, renewal dates, notes from books etc.

Over time, I suppose that I've started to turn my Kensington into a 'one-stop shop' as it's a portable reference file and notebook. Once upon a time, I barely used the pockets, but I've found that it's a handy place to not only store items that I use in my binder (Hobonichi stencil or clips), but also small items that I use in daily life (more recently a hair tie and grips, as due to lockdown, I last had a haircut back in February!).

Another term that I've seen used is 'external brain', which I think is my preferred name right now.

Back in 2009, I initially purchased a Filofax to house my Getting Things Done set up, and also because I was fed up with having random notes in different notebooks and on scraps of paper. At the end of the day, I don't think that it really matters what you call your Filofax/organiser/planner, but more about how it helps you feel more in control, especially in these uncertain times. I certainly couldn't imagine being without mine. It helps me plan projects, capture ideas, take notes, track my to-dos and keep important reference information in a handy hard wearing cover that's a great size to carry in my hand or bag.

Which term do you prefer?

19 July 2020

Silent Sunday

18 July 2020

Web Finds - Saturday 18 July 2020

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.

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
Consider joining our Facebook group - Filofax for Philofaxy fans

Enjoy

16 July 2020

Free For All Friday - No. 610 by Anita

I admit that looking at our rather blank diary can sometimes feel a little disheartening.

Our household will continue to shield for some time to come, so I've decided to think about what we can do, rather than dwelling too much on what I had hoped for this year.

Therefore, I've started to do a review of my projects to consider what I can complete in the remaining half of the year, and to park some others under someday/maybe, for when I can get out and about again.

Have you been looking at your projects during lockdown and tweaking your plans for the rest of the year?

And as always on Fridays, please feel free to discuss anything ringbound planner related.

I hope that you have a great weekend.

Guest Post - Review of Moterm Personal Planner - Karen

Moterm is a new brand name that seems to be cropping up more often in Web Finds and Video Web Finds. They are available on Amazon USA and from Ali Express.

When I was offered this review of one by Karen I was very keen to learn some more about this new brand.

Moterm is a leather planner-if you know what a “Filofax“ is then you know what a Moterm planner is. It’s an amazingly well made leather planner-with features usually missing from most inexpensive planners.

The rings were 25mm, firm, yet easy to open, closed tightly and can be unscrewed to replace them.

Some of the features include a long full length pocket on the top for your full sized folded paper, or a bunch of bills, and 2 secretarial pockets, one on each side of the interior. The leather pen loop is made from a matching color leather with a back in elastic, and will easily hold a full sized pen. Even a Lamy Safari fountain pen, or a Frixion full sized ball point fits with ease.

The planner was fairly floppy, and stayed fully open on my desk; it had a very minimal stiffener, which felt like a thin sheet of cushiony material.

The planner also includes a leather fly leaf, one with a series of card pockets on the back side. The Moterm planner comes with approximately 100 sheets of undated lined schedule paper. As sometimes is found on less expensive planners-there was NO chemical smell, nor any type of plastic coating.

I purchased the Personal sized Moterm, which is the same size of a medium or personal sized Filofax or other brand of leather binder. They also offer Pocket, A6 and A5 size organisers as well.

In conclusion, it’s interesting to note that considering the $56 I paid for the Moterm, it would have cost me at least $200+ for a similar sized leather planner with all these features. It’s a great planner-but at the same time it’s important to remember that ultimately it’s all about what you really want-and can afford.

I just wanted an attractive and dependable leather planner, one that would accommodate my basic needs. Spending $200+ was not something I wanted to do.

What it’s NOT: A luxury, handmade, top of the line, leather agenda. It does not show or have ANY logo, nor does it pretend to be anything other than a Moterm.

It came carefully wrapped in a nice box, and arrived in perfect condition. It smells like fine leather, and the stitching is neat and precise. I’m pleased with my purchase and would consider other colours and sizes in the future!

Thank you Karen for taking time to send us the photos and your initial impressions of this new brand of organiser.

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16 July 2020