30 April 2021

Free For All Friday No 651 by Laurie

Recently I ordered another pack of A5 printer paper for my A5 Filofax organisers. One of my favorite things about using the A5 size is the ease of printing inserts. I just buy A5 paper, print, and hole punch.

This is the third pack of A5 paper I have used. The first pack I used was 80 gsm, which was fine, but when it came time to order the next pack they didn't have 80, so I got 90 gsm. I liked it so much I ordered 90 gsm again this time.

When choosing paper thickness to use in a Filofax, it's a tradeoff between how thick you like your paper to be (which is especially important when using fountain pens, highlighters, or other ink that tends to show through paper), vs how many pages you can fit into your binder.

90 gsm is perfect for me. It's thick enough that my highlighters don't show through to the other side of the page, but thin enough that it doesn't prevent me from putting as many pages as I need into my Filofax.

What paper thickness do you prefer? Thicker or thinner?

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


29 April 2021

My first A5 Van der Spek after 7 years of use

I did my original review of this particular organiser in July 2014 

There is also a 'making of post

Looking at that post makes me almost feel like I'm back at the workshop in Puttershoek with the Van der Spek family, watching them put together my actual organiser and it drives my memories to remember the sounds and the smells of the workshop. 

I did a post after using it for three years in 2017, 

Almost 4 years further on I was reminded by someone in the Facebook group asking about this particular leather, so it was time to do another update. There is sometimes no short cut to see how a particular leather will withstand daily wear and tear other than actual long term use.

The leather colours are 6202 (Ciocolatio) on the outside and 6208 (Cuoio) on the inside.

Here are the photos taken this week. 





Whilst this particular organiser hasn't been in constant use for the last 7 years, it has certainly travelled a lot of miles/kms. I used it for our North American trip back in 2015. 

The outside has become quite 'shiny' the interior nappa leather shows 'finger scratches' easily as you can see, but these disappear with a gentle rub with a damp finger tip.

The Krause rings are still perfectly aligned and show no signs of any gaps.  

Overall it continues to be a useful organiser. 

Further Information.

Web Site: https://www.vdsshop.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VDSleathergoods
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vanderspekorganiserfans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vdsshop/

28 April 2021

News: Van der Spek updates

News from Van der Spek. 

Custom Junior Organisers. 

A minor design option change for the Van der Spek Junior size (Pocket size) 


You can now include the following additional option via our webshop: Bottom pocket on the left-hand side of the Custom Made Junior (at the same height as the bottom pocket of the right-hand side) See the website for details. 

Van der Spek Touch Me Ready Made Collection.

The Touch Me Collection is restocked in all sizes and colours 🎉 

Your TM order is sent to you within 5 workdays.




Further Information.

Web Site: https://www.vdsshop.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VDSleathergoods
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vanderspekorganiserfans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vdsshop/

Video Web Finds - Wednesday 28 April 2021

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.
  1. Filofax Guildford Extra Slim Mini Organiser - Review - Flatability
  2. April 2021 Pocket Planner Flipthrough - GanchiPlans
  3. How to Dupe a Moterm Versa or Gillio Mia Cara - spellbound notes
  4. Unboxing | My First Custom Vds Planner| Royal Planner - Royal Planner
  5. Pocket Ring Vanderspek || Janet Leather Brown || New pocket planner flip - Kerri Pouliot
  6. VDS Beige Croco Unboxing - Natalieplans
  7. Franklin Planner Sierra Simulated Leather Strap Binder - Desert Rose - Tonya Plans
  8. One year on YouTube: the highlight reel | 73 videos, 11,5+ hours- lots of planners, stickers & fun - lizzuplans
  9. Moterm Personal Planner: making a wallet setup - Samantha Root -MompreneurLiving
  10. Franklin Covey Compact, Filofax, Recollection and B6 Kikki K Ring: Planner Fun Flipthrough - Monique Smith
  11. Filofax Mini Finsbury Flip Through | LindseyScribbles - lindseyscribbles
  12. Re-upload || Filofax Domino W/30mm Rings || Pocket Planners Full Flip Through - Life With MJB
  13. Easy, FOOLPROOF Duplex Printing (Both Sides of the Page) #shorts - GanchiPlans
  14. Planner Flip | Louis Vuitton Small Ring Agenda | Daily Planner - Linda Anna
  15. Présentation du Filofax et organisation des classeurs// Défi Monopoly - axelle et ses mousquetaires
  16. April 25th-30th Plan with Me in my Franklin Covey Sierra Binder! - BuySellPlan
  17. Plan with Me April 26- May 2 in my Gillio Planner - Vertical Weekly Insert and Planner Chat! - My Moxie Dreams
  18. This week’s planner spread: Franklin Covey Tyler April 26th- May 2nd - Samantha Root -MompreneurLiving
  19. School Update | Planner Flip | Cloth & Paper A5 Agenda | Planner Set Up - Linda Anna
  20. Plan with me | work plans | HAPPY PLANNER | decorative and functional - Love my plans
  • Please leave a comment on any of the videos you enjoyed and mention you saw a link on Philofaxy. 
  • 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. 
Enjoy




27 April 2021

Free For All Tuesday - No. 534

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.


26 April 2021

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 112 - Turning any planner in to a productivity planner


Turning any planner in to a productivity planner. 

We discuss how to make your planner more of a productivity planner than a time management planner.

Thank you to all our Patreon supporters in helping to bring you this episode.

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

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introductions.
02:00 - Productivity planning
02:30 - Quadrant two - Important Non Urgent
03:00 - Which quadrant are you comfortable in.
06:00 - What is important to you.
07:00 - Setting goals
09:45 - Showing progress through reviews.
12:00 - Planning for the week helps you have all the supplies in the right place to complete the task. 
14:00 - You don't need to use Franklin Covey inserts to be productive. 
18:00 - Don't ignore other methods of managing time and tasks. 
20:00 - Keep your task lists up to date, are there any you can off load. 
23:00 - Make your task descriptions clear but concise. 
26:00 - Give yourself time to think about the next task to be undertaken.
30:30 - Thank you to our Patrons, please take a look at the Patreon page.

Links: 
Please support the podcast via Patreon by doing so you will be helping us with the making of these advert free podcasts. By being a Patreon supporter you will gain early access to each podcast episode and be able to download the show notes. We also aim to introduce other benefits in the near future.

A direct download is also available here: Episode112.mp3


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

Our Websites:
Karine: PlannerologyThroat Punch Resumes, IG: Karine Tovmassian
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times,  IG: Mr PhilofaxySteve Morton

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.

If you want a quick link to all the podcasts remember: https://philofaxy.com/podcast/

Remember if you have liked this podcast, don't forget to like it, subscribe to it and share the podcast.

Previous Episodes:

2021

111 - The Pocket Planner - The most underrated size?
110 - Your Life All in One Place
109 - Project Planning: From Start to Finish
108 - How to Plan for 2021 despite 2020

2020
107 - Questions and Answers Session for Steve and Karine.
106 - Practical ways to get yourself out of a funk while using your planner.
105 - Time Management for those that are being managed by time.
104 - Planning for a medical emergency.
103 - Trust the process.
102 - The Return.
101 - The Mighty Little Checklist: The Unsung Hero of Success
100 - What do we use every day?
99 - Some Day May Be
98 - Transform Your Productivity
97 - Getting out of Stuck

2019

96 - Minimalist Planning.
95 - How to take your planning to the next level.
94 - Mission and Vision Statements
93 - How to plan your year in advance
92 - Workflows
91 - How to plan in a week that is already a busy one.
90 - Avoiding mistakes in planning
89 - Refocus
88 - When Your Plans or Goals Don't Work Out
87 - Decluttering Your Life - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
86 - Accessories for your Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
85 - Journaling -  A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
84 - Workflows - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

2018

83 - Routines - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
82 - Productivity 201 - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
81 - Planner Sizes - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
80 - Do you have too many planners? - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
79 - Improving Your Planning Productivity - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
78 - Ten reasons why you have stopped planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
77 - Letting Your Planner Take The Strain - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
76 - The Franken Flex - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
75 - Decluttering - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
74 - Engagement - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
73 - Reflection and Review - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
72 - Organisation - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
71 - Clarification - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
70 - Capture - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
69 - How to do nothing - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
68 - Changes - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
67 - Tones versus Pulses - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

2017

66 - Planning and Execution - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
65 - The Power of Habit - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
64 - Planning for the end of the year - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
63 - Planning For Unexpected Life Events - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
62 - Staying in two sizes of planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
61 - Staying in one size of planner. - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
60 - Functional Planning - Macro and Micro Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
59 - PlannerCon Europe - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
58 - Speeding up by slowing down - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
57 - To Do Lists and Diary Pages -  A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
56 - Hints and Tips on making planner videos - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
55 - Keeping up to date - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
54 - Interview with Jennifer Powell at PlannerCon - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
53 - Conferences and Meet Ups - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
52 - The Magic of Contextualising Your Life - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
51 - Guest Interview - Rose Orchard - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
50 - Organising your significant other - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
49 - Creating the ultimate planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
48 - Getting past New Years resolutions - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
47 - How to understand being a planner newbie - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
46 - Buying and Selling 101 - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
45 - A5 or A6 - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
44 - End of Year - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf

2016 

43 - Digital Planning vs Analogue Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
42 - Planning vs Organising - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
41 - Short and Long Term Planning - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
40 - Good and Bad Planner Habits - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
39 - Tackling Planner Size Change - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
38 - Self-Improvement or Personal Development - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
37 - What is productivity anyway - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
36 - The Planner Community - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
35 - Wellness Planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
34 - Listeners Question - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
33 - Pens and other writing instruments - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
32 - Proper storage, care and shipping of planners, rings etc - A5 docx pdf Personal docx pdf
31 - Guest Interview - Louise Umeki - Plannercon 2017 - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
30 - Form Following Function -  A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
29 - Seasonal To Do Lists - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
28 - Making and keeping annual goals - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
27 - Organising the family - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
26 - Guest interview - Theresa Hall - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
25 - Guest interview - Ray Blake - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
24 - Defining the important things from the urgent things - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
23 - Guest interview with Rita Sedani - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
22 - Printing your own inserts - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
21 - How to derail your planning system by over thinking - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
20 - Digital devices/services and your analogue planner - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
19 - What To Keep In Your 'Others' Tab - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
18 - Zombie Apocalypse Preparation - A5 docx pdf  Personal docx pdf
17 - Managing 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

 

24 April 2021

Web Finds - Saturday 24 April 2021

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:
  1. Web Finds - Saturday 17 April 2021
  2. Silent Sunday
  3. Attention Email Subscribers
  4. Free For All Tuesday - No. 533
  5. Video Web Finds - Wednesday 21 April 2021
  6. 'If you like it buy it!'
  7. Free For All Friday No. 650 by Anita
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. Yummy Japan Cute Today Marker - Filofax Love
  2. Power Planner Review (and Comparison with the Passion Planner) - All About Planners
  3. Planner Quote: April 19, 2021 - FranklinPlanner Talk
  4. Episode #102: What Tools Should I Use? - Getting Things Done
  5. Link Love: Neil Himself Loves Stationery - The Well-Appointed Desk
  6. Earth Day: Show Some Love - FranklinPlanner Talk
  7. Weekly Planning using priority lists - All About Planners
  8. Web Finds – 21 April 2021 - Travellers Notebook Times
  • Please leave a comment on any of the blogs you enjoyed reading and mention that you saw their post mentioned on Philofaxy. Thank you
  • 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. 
  • 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




23 April 2021

Free For All Friday No. 650 by Anita

Due to my caring commitments, I have recently resigned from my second job as I've realised that I need to simplify, and also so that I have enough down time too. I suppose that this has started me thinking about how I want to do some more decluttering, which will include my organisers as their numbers have snuck back up again! 

This is my current inventory:

  1. My faithful black personal Kensington - my favourite and definitely a keeper
  2. Custom Van der Spek in red and burgundy Janet Leather - some of you may be shocked, but this is on my potential sales list
  3. Purple Litchi Moterm pocket (A7) - still in its packaging as I realised soon after that pocket is too small for me as a main planner
  4. Dark aqua A5 Original - another definite keeper as I just can't see myself using anything smaller than A5 for work. Post to come
  5. Red personal unbranded vintage binder - this is a more recent eBay bargain and another post to come. As it was so cheap, I think I may hang onto this for now for when I fancy a change. 
The Van der Spek is such a beautiful binder, but I'm so content in my Kensington and I just think that I'm not comfortable with chucking a VdS into my bag with everything else, like I normally do with my Filofax. Due to shielding due to COVID, I haven't been anywhere, but I think that I'm just more of a Kensington gal anyway and have sold other binders in the past as they haven't really passed the 'bag test'.

Have you been downsizing your Filofax numbers recently and/or simplifying how you use your planner?

And as always on Fridays, please feel free to discuss anything organiser related. I hope that you have a great weekend.

22 April 2021

'If you like it buy it!'

It has been a long well worn motto of the blog that 'If you like it, buy it.' this stems back to a conversation that Laurie and I had when we first met back in 2010

Are there any Filofax models in the past that you wished you had bought at the time and you missed out on them, may be a current model but in a colour that was only available that year and never since? 

May be when it was on sale it didn't appeal to you, but for what ever reason you change your mind years later. 

Instagram has made people more envious of past models than ever. If I put a photo on there of an older model, I get the usual comments 'I've got one of those.' "I really like that" and tens of 'likes' but often I might also get 'How much are you selling it for'.... I'm not! 

Where can you find that 'One that got away' organiser? Adspot of course! Get us to post a Wanted advert and you might get lucky... I have on a couple of occasions! Alternatively, save a search on your local Ebay or similar site for the model you are looking for. 

As always be aware of the original price and don't get too silly on the price you pay for an old model. 

Happy hunting. 

21 April 2021

Video Web Finds - Wednesday 21 April 2021

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.
  1. Monthly planning routine - Random Pastimes
  2. A6 Rings in Strings?? - Lois Houston
  3. Planning is not Doing - GanchiPlans
  4. Filofax 4CLF 7/8 - Unwrapping - Review - Verdict - Flatability
  5. Yet Another Planner Update - Planner Mumsy
  6. VDS Beige Croc Unboxing and Comparison - Meredith Chapman
  7. VDS Unboxing | My True First Impressions | VDS A6 Ring Planner | Plan With Bee - Plan With Bee
  8. Planners I'm currently using || Planner Perfect|| VDS Rings - FromChaosToCalm
  9. 2021 Planner Setup Updated for 2nd Quarter: Filofax Personal Malden - Brandy Michelle Plans
  10. Planner Peace Disturbed, Part 1 - Going back to the personal-sized loose-leaf ring-bound system - The Unplanned Life
  11. My favourite filofax. - Flatability
  12. My Personal Planner Setup for April! | Van Der Spek poussiere - Faith Champion
  13. Custom Van der Spek Flip With Cloth & Paper Hacks - PlannerShop
  14. VDS Planner Flip | Functional Planning |A6 Rings | Surprise Flash Sale Pop Up | Plan With Bee - Plan With Bee
  15. Planner Comparison - Franklin Covey Compact Aurora vs. Compact Sierra vs. Gillio Personal Wide  - My Moxie Dreams
  16. Update - Rings (Personal Filofax Malden) & Strings (Moterm Standard TN) - Monique Smith
  17. ORGANISATION SAC et FILOFAX Enveloppes Budgétaires - Maria Blabla
  18. Personal Rings Set Up | Filofax Saffiano | Minimalist Work Planner - Raar Plans
  19. Check out my new Filofax and Foxy Fix! - Liz Drake
  20. Planea conmigo en mi Filofax | Spread Arcoiris | Happy Planner Stickers | Filofax | Agenda A5 - Plan With Lara
  21. Wochendeko KW 15 filofax mini finsbury // kathiyala - kathiyala
  22. DEKOS im FILOFAX PERSONAL und FAUXBONICHI WEEKS & JOURNAL-SEITEN vom zweiten ONLINEPLANERSCHNACK - dekoRIAt
  23. [wochendeko] Woche 15 Filofax malden Pocket - bulletjournal_bapho
  24. Filofax saffiano compact zip - Ksenia Brigness
  25. APRIL 2021 Gillio Firenze Matte Black Croco Medium XL Setup | LittleRachPlans - LittleRachPlans
  26. Gillio Rust Personal Rings Flip! - mandydreams
  27. FreeStatePlans - Moterm vs Gillio - Sarah Beth Waldrep
  28. Planner System Update April 2021 / Hobonichi weeks, B6 stalogy, Gillio medium xl with FCC inserts - Nicola PinkPlannerGirl
  29. 30mm ring in my gillio a6 - Mermaid Kitty
  30. How To Easily Change Rings In Moterm Planners - APinkeClothlife
  31. Moterm Luxe Taupe Pocketrings Planner Setup - kti. plans
  • Please leave a comment on any of the videos you enjoyed and mention you saw a link on Philofaxy. 
  • 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. 
Enjoy




20 April 2021

Free For All Tuesday - No. 533

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.


19 April 2021

Attention Email Subscribers

If you receive the blog posts by email, this has used the Feedburner (Google) service. This has been on Philofaxy since about 2010. The subscription list totals over 1600 people, not all of them verified. 

Feedburner have recently announced that they are ceasing the email service in July this year. I have therefore put a link to a new service in the side bar to replace the Feedburner service. 

The new service is supported by advertising in the emails you will receive, you can if you wish pay a small fee to get the adverts removed. See the website for details

Although I have the full list of current subscribers, I will not be submitting those to the new service, this would be against GDPR regulations to do so. 

If you wish to continue to receive blog posts by email after July, then you will need to resubscribe to the new service. 

You can also register the rss feed for Philofaxy [https://philofaxy.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default] with any other RSS to Email service of your choice there are quite a few around.  

Alternatively there are lots of RSS reader apps available that you can also use the RSS feed in. I personally use Protopage, but there are lots of others around. 

If you have any questions please post them in the comments.