31 December 2017

Date For Your Diary - 7 January 2018

We are going to run another conference round-table voice/video chat using Skype.

When? - Sunday 7 January at the following times:
  • London 10:00 am, 
  • Paris 11:00 am, 
  • Brisbane 8:00 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.  
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 7 January 2018.

30 December 2017

Web Finds - 30 December 2017

So I hope you have had a good week

So now it is time to enjoy a few blog posts from around the internet, the last of 2017,  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 - 23 December 2017
  2. Frequently Asked Questions About Philofaxy
  3. Filofax Glossary
  4. Free For All Tuesday No. 360
  5. Web Finds - 26 December 2017
  6. Future Podcast Topics?
  7. Philofaxy Readers Posts - People Wanted
  8. Free For All Friday No 476 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. The evolution of the desk - This Bug's Life
  2. How to Set up The Perfect Planner - Day Designer
  3. TMN Podcast #5 – 10 Tips to Help When You Feel Overwhelmed - Time Management Ninja
  4. Merry Christmas and Thank You - Kerrymay._.Makes
  5. Plannerisms mentioned in Wall Street Journal! - Plannerisms
  6. Paper Planners in the Digital Age: Why We’re Still Addicted - WSJ pdf
  7. Review: Staples Arc System Notebooks and Refills - Comfortable Shoes Studio
  • 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. 



29 December 2017

Free For All Friday No 476 by Laurie

It's the last FFAF of 2017!

I want to thank the entire Philofaxy community for another wonderful year. I really appreciate how kind and supportive everyone is. We have a great group of people who read, comment and contribute here on Philofaxy. I'm very happy to be a part of it!

Please join me in thanking Steve for all his hard work! He keeps the blog filled with excellent content every day, is on Facebook and Instagram, replies to everyone, and he and Ray do the free printable diary inserts every year. He is a busy guy, and we appreciate everything he does!

I also want to thank Nan and Anita for all they do here on Philofaxy, and all they have done over the years! Together we all make a great team.

As always on Fridays, feel free to ask/ discuss anything ring-binder related.

Happy New Year everyone! 


28 December 2017

Philofaxy Readers Posts - People Wanted....

I am sure we all enjoy seeing how other readers used their organisers.

On Philofaxy we have had several different series of posts to help readers share their own experiences of how they use their organisers and which is their favourite one.

We constantly need new people to come along to be able to continue with these series of posts.

So how can you help contribute? We have three different 'reader' series which are very easy to fill in and respond to they are:
  • Reader Under The Spotlight - This is based on 10 simple questions (it used to be 19 questions) as well as the questions we ask you to supply a photo of yourself or your organiser. Previous posts in this series can be found here.
  • Readers Favourite Organiser - This is 5 questions plus a few photographs of your favourite organiser. Previous posts in this series can be found here.
  • Experienced User - This is based on 7 questions, mainly aimed at people who have been an organiser used for more than a year or two, but the questions are fairly generalised. Previous posts in this series can be found here.
We also welcome Guest Posts and Reader Reviews of organisers and related products. We also have Readers Tips too. There is no fixed format for these. It is best to contact Steve before you commence writing any of these.  

Guest posts/reviews must be organiser related, Philofaxy will not publish non-organiser related posts... we often receive offers of very non-specific posts, one for example about body weight loss, when I published a post on weight loss in relation to removing pages from your organiser!  Clearly they hadn't read our post at all or our guidelines!  In all posts we are happy to include a link or links to your own blog or your You Tube Channel or Instagram feed.

So if you would like to contribute with any of the posts above please contact Steve by email philofaxy at gmail dot com  Please indicate which post you are interested in taking part in and he will send you the questions/instructions.

Thank you.

27 December 2017

Future Podcast Topics?

We have been steadily producing podcasts this last couple of years.

Karine and I have recently upgraded our recording set ups, it has taken us a couple of recordings to adjust to the new microphones, but I think we have got it just about right now.

With more than sixty episodes to listen to there are plenty of topics that I hope you will enjoy.

As always we are interested to hear what you would like to hear us discuss.  Even if you would like us to revisit a topic and may be cover it from a slightly different angle we would be more than happy to do that. 

None of our recordings are scripted as such, we have a rough idea of some of the things we want to include but generally they are done straight 'off the cuff', it is a very relaxed style and I hope you enjoy listening to each episode. 

If you haven't discovered the Podcast yet, you can listen on line to each one using a variety of methods: 
So what topics would you like us to discuss in the coming weeks? Please leave a comment down below or email steve at philofaxy dot com. 

26 December 2017

Web Finds - 26 December 2017

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.

To start with I'm going to list the 'The 20 most viewed' videos of 2017
  1. Mein Filofax I Nonakanal - Nona Kanal
  2. Bullet Journal Setup, Filofax, Kalender & Organisation – BACK TO WORK #TypischSissi - Typisch Sissi
  3. PAPELERÍA ENTROPÍA Y FILOFAX - Tiempo entre Papeles - Tiempo entre Papeles
  4. 2018 Functional Planner Setup: Red Pocket Filofax Finchley - Peanuts Planner Co.
  5. Personal Planner Setup 2017 | Filofax Ochre Malden - gradient_colors
  6. Filofax gestalten DIY INSPIRATION | 3 süße Bilder im Notizbuch | Kathis Kalender DIY - DIY Inspiration - kreative Ideen zum Selbermachen
  7. Filofax DIY Ideen | Register selber machen mit Washi Tape & Pappe | Planner selber gestalten - DIY Inspiration - kreative Ideen zum Selbermachen
  8. mein Filofax / Bullet Journal - Jackie Alice - Jackie Alice
  9. MALEN im Filofax SILVESTER | Süße Bilder malen | Glücksschwein, Glückspilz und Feuerwerk - DIY Inspiration - kreative Ideen zum Selbermachen
  10. Filofax Pocket Holborn January 2017 Setup - Mama Row
  11. January 2017 Setup in my Filofax BUJO - Teach_and_Plan
  12. My 2017 Planner Setup! Ft. Filofax Original Patent Nude - Alexa Golden
  13. 2017 A5 Filofax Planner Setup - Let's Make It Sparkle
  14. FiloFax Malden - Personal Planner Set up - JensPlannerAddiction
  15. Filofax Ideen für OSTERN | 3 süße Bilder malen OSTERHASE EIER NEST und KÜKEN | DIY im Kalender - DIY Inspiration - kreative Ideen zum Selbermachen
  16. 2017 Planner Setup: Inkwell Press Inserts in Filofax Original - Mary Heather Browne
  17. My 2017 Patent Filofax Planner Setup - Lisa Lachhman
  18. Personal Planner Setup | Filofax Malden Fall 2017 - The Rach Mark
  19. Current Planner Setup - Winter 2017 | Aqua Filofax Malden - DoodleDeeDesigns
  20. Functional Plan With Me Personal Filofax 8/7/2017 - 8/13/2017 - PlansMeetPaper
  21. How NOT to Remove the Rings from Your Filofax - Alexis aka MissTrenchcoat
  22. La mia agenda - Filofax Saffiano Pocket Organiser - Giorgia Turco
  23. Plan with Me || Set-up & Accessories || Filofax A5/Bullet Journal - Indigo Nili
  24. Pocket Holborn Filofax! - Mady L
  25. Filofax The Original Patent Rose Setup 2017 - Diamondis Creativ
  26. Filofax Malden Personal Ochre | Couple's Planner | Franklin Covey 7 Habits Planner Inserts - TheSassyPineapple
  27. Filofax Soft Domino Personal Size in Pale Pink Setup - Mama Row
  28. 2017 Planner Setup: Filofax Original - Plannerfulofkeyz
  29. Mi nueva agenda filofax THE RESET GIRL Carpe Diem Planners - Mami Crafter
  30. My planners from 2016 and what I'm using now - Franklin Covey, Filofax, Van der Spek - Joshua LaPorte
Meanwhile here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Pocket Malden Filofax (Kingfisher Blue) - eat.run.plan.repeat
  2. Girlboss Functional Planning 5 - Gracefully Merging Digital and Analog | Kendra Bork - Kendra Bork
  3. Holiday Planning Flip Through - Brandy Michelle Plans - YouTube
  4. Girlboss Functional Planning 6 - Goals to Projects | Kendra Bork - Kendra Bork
  5. Franklin Planner Unboxing - Foxy's Domestic Side
  6. Van Der Spek Unboxing, Review, and Comparison - mylifeplannedout
  7. Decorative Planning vs Functional Planning | My Thoughts - Candiik
  8. My planner for the first quarter of 2018 - Maryanne Moll
  9. Planner Filofax 2018 I Filofax original patent navy - Planner Addict
  10. Inserts for my Filofax Planners - Lulu W
  11. FILOFAX SETUP | domino soft • duck egg • personal | deutsch - dekoRIAt
  12. SETUP AGENDA FILOFAX: Natale 2017 - Irene D
  13. Filofax First Impression - Purple Irys
  14. LOUIS VUITTON AGENDA INSERTS AND AGENDA PM REVIEW - Hello Harley
  • 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. Plan With Me – Pretty Poinsettia - Sam Alderson
Enjoy.




Free For All Tuesday No. 360

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.

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

It is Tuesday after all so fire away.

25 December 2017

Filofax Glossary

This was a post on Facebook back in 2013 by Kent from Oz. Lots of people then contributed to the 'glossary' I hope you find it as amusing as I did!

Filofax Glossary

  • ARTIFAX: Using the planner intended for improved organisation and filling it with calligraphy, water colours, washi decorations, stickers, sketches and drawings.
  • BOOMERFAX: Buying an A5 Amazona, swapping it for a personal Finchley then getting the Amazona back because you can't live without it!!
  • FAX EVASION: The dissimulation one embarks on when asked how many binders one has bought.
  • FAX EXILE:An ultimatum from ones spouse to stop buying new binders or suffer the consequences.
  • FAX IT: File a titbit of information under your Filofax reference tab.
  • Fax-of-Life: When you tell your children that the best things in life have two pen loops and 30mm rings!
  • FAX-ON, FAX-OFF: Learning how to use a real live honest-to-goodness Filofax by training with a Franklin-Covey binder (Those who survived the 80's will understand the reference)
  • FAXATIVE: The effect of temporarily believing you have left your binder on the train
  • FAXED OUT: Having no room left in the house for more binders.
  • FAXIMUM: The theoretical maximum number of binders one can own. Although in theory this is a mathematical constant it can often behave more like a variable.
  • FAXINATION: Preventing oneself from making further Filofax purchases by, for instance, having a tall person put ones credit card on an unreachable shelf
  • FAXMINSTER: A Filofax whose design resembles a carpet. See also 'IKAT'
  • Faxslap: What you feel like doing when someone calls it a 'diary'!
  • Filandering: Moving into another FF after just having spent a fortune on another.
  • FILANTHROPY: caring for, nourishing, developing, and enhancing the love of all things Filofaxish.
  • Filistine: Those who just do not comprehend.
  • Filo collector, erm to many too list!
  • FILO-dough: the money you spent buying Filofaxes and all you have left over is enough to buy a piece of baklava.
  • Filo-freakout When the absolute worst thing has happened - Your Filofax has been lost or stolen!
  • Filo-ology-The study of Filofaxes and the people who use them
  • FILO-PANIC-STATIONS: Hearing that Filofax may have been sold.....
  • FILO-SETI-Maniac: fan of Filofax and participant in UC Berkley's search for extra terrestrial life through SETI program.
  • Filoanxiety: When you forget to bring it with you
  • FiloArrhythmia: The immediate onset of Heart Palpitations when you suddenly realise that you've actually left the house without your Filofax.
  • FiloBayers: those that check 3 times a day for new listings on eBay.
  • FiloBox: The simple cardboard structure your Filofax came in which has now been elevated to above gold standards in terms of value. No one comes near that box and it sits farthest away from any water source.
  • FiloBucks: The made-up price you tell your spouse that you paid for your 3rd Malden purchase in one month. "It was on sale--it only cost $75 for that A5 Malden!
  • Filobuster: Talking as much as you can about a certain Filofax until your spouse gives in and says "ok already! Just buy it."
  • Filocats: When cats are magnetically drawn to your Filofax: sitting on it, laying on it, sleeping on it, chewing the corners of it, especially when you are trying to use it! A particular favourite are photos of Filofaxes with their cats, or cats with their Filofaxes!!
  • FiloChat: A once a month Skype conference
  • FiloCount: That number no one likes to admit to
  • Filocred: Your level of knowledge when posting here. As in: Steve sure has Filocred---I believe he knows what he's talking about.
  • Filocringe: Watching someone open the rings The Wrong way.
  • Filoday: When that special package arrives in the mail
  • FiloDeprived: When one's income does not cover one's FiloLust.
  • FiloEnvy: When someone else's Filofax may / or may not be better than yours.
  • FiloEuphoria, the anticipation of receiving your Filofax at your doorstep
  • Filofail: Opening the rings the wrong way
  • Filofail: Synonymous with Planner Fail, but with your Filofax
  • FiloFaint: When you try to catch up on a 135 comment Philofaxy thread
  • Filofairy: Someone who has the uncanny gift for giving true friends their first Filofaxes to get them to understand their world...oh and help them get organised.
  • FILOFART: The unfortunate sound your thumb makes as it rubs against your A5 Cuban after you have just treated the cover with leather cream.
  • FILOFAT: The state you are in when you realize it's time to move up to an A5!
  • FILOFAX ELBOW: Medical condition attributable to using an A5 binder habitually.
  • FILOfaxed: Faxing the entire contents of your Filofax to yourself before traveling (I may or may not have done this)
  • Filofilm: The films that we love with Filofaxes in them
  • Filofix: Buying a new Filofax
  • FILOFLASHING: The act of casually taking your Filofax out for no other reason but to show it off to the people around you.
  • Filoflirt: When certain Philofaxy members xxxxx, oooo
  • Filoflix : You Tube vids on our fave subject
  • Filoflutter:  The feeling you get when you see one in a second-hand shop.
  • Filofondeling: Obsessively stroking or petting the cover of your Filofax in order to asses the Strokability factor or gauge the texture in order to appease your Filolust! That's three words in one definition!!
  • Filofrustration: That feeling when you've got you're setup planned and then as soon as you start to move stuff you realise it can't physically work...
  • FILOFURY: The unpleasant emotion your better-half expresses when they eventually find out the money for the gas bill was used to pay for another Raspberry Pocket Malden you won on eBay!
  • Filogrinning: Awkward smile at pc/mobile device whilst reading Philofaxy/Facebook group chat
  • FiloKent: Well known film star
  • FiloLust: That rush of emotional want for the newest or even more so the most recently retired Filo.
  • FiloMeme: Washi tape in Filofax
  • FILOMETER: A device for measuring how long one remains satisfied with the current in-use binder or setup. Often needs to record quite short periods.
  • Filomorton: GOD
  • FiloPal: Setting up a permanent place to pay for your eBay win
  • Filopanic: The state you are in, when the filo you won on eBay never arrives!
  • Filopen a slim writing instrument that fits the pen loop and uses ink of a special formulation so as to not bleed through on the thin paper in a Filofax
  • Filoplight: Synonym to filowildered
  • Filopocalypse: Destruction of Filofaxes...or worse...the horror
  • FiloPurple: Jennifer
  • Filosaurus: The file that will hold the gems from this thread!!
  • Filosnort: The noise produced when trying to inhale whilst laughing at new Filofax words
  • Filosopher: Steve Morton
  • FILOSPEAK: Using words that only are understood by those who own a Filofax e.g. washi, WO2P and 'Malden'
  • Filostalker: What I've been reduced to when I'm out in public and I spot someone with a Filofax or similar and I have to drum up the nerve to compliment her on her planner...or keep quiet, lose the nerve and just spy.
  • Filostand: What your nightstand morphs into on any given night.
  • FILOSTARE: That awkward moment when you accidentally half-rip out a page of your beloved Filofax, stare at it in disbelief and think 'I can't believe I just did that!"
  • FiloTed: For those of us who cuddle our Filofaxes all night long!
  • Filotot: A newbie with Filos. Filotots are newbies up until 1 year of owning filos, maybe? Lol ... Then, filokid, filoteens, filodults, filograms/filogramps or filonans/filopopas??
  • FiloTraitor: Me! LOL. Cos technically I use a Mulberry. [Angela McSloy]
  • FiloTube: Taking social media by storm
  • Filotubed: How you feel after viewing all of the Filofax videos on a Saturday.
  • FiloWait: That many days between ordering your Filofax and the postman delivering it.
  • Filowildered: Confusion connection with the decision whether one should get the purple or the ochre, the Malden or the Holborn..
  • FLAGFAIL: When you're at the shops and being handed by a complete (but caring) stranger the small fluorescent adhesive flag that was stuck precariously on your backside!
  • Fliofaxophile: Lover of all things filofaxish, including being a member of Philofaxy and friends of Philofaxy.
  • INFAXUATION: Living eating breathing all things Filofaxish.
  • Malden-Mania: Fairly self-explanatory.
  • Philofaxy video Webfinds:  A strange collection of video clips that go on for hours were you rarely see the faces, strange terms are used without explanation because none is required and they often start with the code words ' I just wanted to make a quick video....' And people often only have one hand, they must all have suffered some accident to lose the other one as they struggle to open their Filofax
  • Pickled Filo: Being drunk in charge of a Filofax.
  • Ring-ectomy: The process of removing old, battered, gaping rings for new ones. No one has heard of a survivor from this operation as of yet
  • RING-RUSTY: A condition that sometimes afflicts binders in humid climates.
  • RING-SCREAM: The sound you hear when the rings close on that small web of skin between thumb and forefinger.
  • SINGULARITY: Theoretical future state in which one can work on a long term basis with just one Filofax binder.
  • SMARTPHONE: The telephone in ones hallway which is dusted weekly and whose cord.is kept untangled.
  • Spyfax: Noticing someone in a meeting has a Filofax and sneakily trying to work out what it is! Just don't get caught.... Spyfaxfail! 
  • Wishi washi: Hoping you can still buy the same roll you just ran out of.

Thank you to: Kent Buchanan, Angela McSloy, Karine Tovmassian, Lynda Noland, Susan Stanaway, Dizzy Moras, Rebecca Cripps, Robyn Placek, Julia Driscoll, Sam Hollinsworth, Shelly Sharp-Wittschiebe, Lindsay Jones, Katerina LeNoir, Cheryl Turtlemoon, Kate Bernasconi, Linda Saper, Ray Blake, Amanda Bigrell, Alan Marshall, Emma Meek, Tessa Kidd, Deborah Hadley and Sara Williams  for all your contributions!

And of course you can have this list in your Filofax!

Filofax Glossary - A5 .docx .pdf
Filofax Glossary - Personal .docx .pdf




24 December 2017

Frequently Asked Questions About Philofaxy

Over the years I've been asked most of these questions more than once. Therefore it made sense to turn them in to a post of some sort!

1. When did you start the blog?

I didn't start Philofaxy, that honour was another guy by the name of Matt from the USA. He started it in October 2005

Nan joined him in June 2006. Matt disappeared to spend more time with his family at some time after then. Laurie and I joined Nan in June 2009, Anita joined the team in May 2012.

2. Who are the team, can I join? 

You can find out more details about the current gang of four on the 'About' page.  If you would like to join the team then why not try writing a guest post or two first. Or contribute a few ideas for future posts.

3. What are the organisers in the photo at the top of the blog? 


  1. Filofax Pocket Sandhurst - Tan
  2. Gillio Medium Mia Cara (Black and Red)
  3. Van der Spek A5 Custom - 6202 outside 6208 inside
  4. Van der Spek Standard (Personal) 6218 Blue
  5. Van der Spek A5 Custom - Tabac
4. How much do you charge for a review?

We do not charge for reviews. Naturally if the company donates the sample we are very grateful. I don't keep them all. Over the years a lot of the review samples have been given away as prizes. 

I try to work on the basis of giving a fair and accurate review no matter what price point the organiser is. I try to be as objective as possible without bringing in my own subjective opinions. This to some people might be a little bland, but I wrote technical reports for 20+ years that had to be similar, objective not subjective. I guess it is difficult to break out of that 'style' 

I hope you as potential customers find the reviews useful and the companies gain some new customers. 

Some samples are only loaned to me for a limited period to do the review and then returned to the company. In this case the company will arrange shipping in both directions so it is just my time and my own photography equipment that is used. 

5. How do you find the blog posts?

Over the years I've built up a system with a large number of blogs and You Tube channels in it. It reads the RSS feeds from these sites and lets me know when there are new posts and new videos for consideration. I then check each one and determine if it will be included or not.  Google doesn't highlight that many blog posts these days. Therefore my own system is much better. 

The system is affectionately known as Gromit the cartoon character from Wallace and Gromit. Back when we had a Windows 3.11 network at home the network name was 'Wensleydale' rather than 'Workgroup' and each computer or printer on the network had a character name from the series, for instance one of the printers was 'Preston' ! Gromit was my desktop machine that the system originally started on!

The same system is used for Travellers Notebook Times as well. 

We are always looking for new blogs and channels to include for both sites.

6. How many visitors are there per day to Philofaxy?

Not as many as we would like! I started collecting stats in August 2009, since then there have been about 5.25 million visits with about 14 million page views. 

Our best year was in about 2014 terms of visitor numbers. But with other forms of social media competing for peoples attention/time our visitor numbers have declined a bit. 

These days we get about 1500 visits per day but it varies each month during the year, increasing in December/January when people are looking for new diary inserts. And we get 3000-3500 page views a day. Quite respectable figures for a niche blog!

7. How many blog posts have you written? 

I honestly don't know the answer to this one. This post is number 3976 of all of the posts on Philofaxy, but I have no idea what proportion of them I have written.

Before I joined the team I read all of the posts from the first one through to the current one back in 2008. Then I did it a second time including the comments. I've not attempted to do that recently!

I can remember most of them that I've written, but I have to use the search to find them because I'm useless at remembering when I wrote them!

8. How much money do you make from Philofaxy

Not a great deal! There is some affiliate links used to Filofax and Amazon. I do have expenses to cover such as postage and the cost of the server that the diary inserts are hosted on as well as the podcast. 

However I am happy to do this for zero profit. Why? Well let me explain. 

Through the 'work' I do with the companies they are happy. They also have happy customers. And I've gained a lot of friends through the 'work' I've done on Philofaxy and you can not put a value on friendship? 
  • Cost of a pen - £5
  • Cost of a Filofax - £100
  • Cost of friendship - Priceless
What earning I do make they are all declared on our annual French tax return! Sad I know but I prefer to keep everything simple and straight forward. 

9. How did the name Philofaxy come about?

I can't be 100% certain but it might have been to avoid trademark issues with Filofax. In English Ph is a similar sound to the letter F so changing F for Ph avoids the trademark issue!

I've even registered: http://philofax.co.uk Filofax obviously didn't think about spelling variations!

10. Do you read all the posts and watch all the videos that go in to each webfinds?

I used to, but these days, the blog posts are given a quick scan for consideration for inclusion. With the videos it would take too long to look at each one, so I look at the title and the thumbnail of the video and may be a quick scroll through the video to assess it for inclusion. I do go back and read or watch the ones that are of interest to me.

11. What are your favourite posts to write

I do enjoy writing reviews as well as my 'travelogues'. As a keen amateur photographer for many years, improving my technique for photographing organisers has taken me longer than I would have liked, but after investing in some studio lights it is now much easier to do.

I generally start off by taking the photos and work out the 'story' I'm going to tell with the series of photos. A full review can take 2-3 days to do including the photos.

When I've been on one of my unannounced visits like the trip to Italy with Gillio or to the Van der Spek workshop, I love to draw the reader in at the start and carry them along with the trip.

I've also had a lot of fun writing posts which have evolved gradually like the reveal we did of the new Filofax range in 2012. I did this one with the help of Alison my dear author wife. She took my basic idea and added a bit of 'drama' to it. She said what are you going to say next? I was laughing... 'Nothing' was my reply. That was cruel!

So the post went out and the reaction was incredible. I had planned part 2 to be published the next day, it wasn't even written at that point so whilst the death threats poured in, I quickly got to work writing the real 'reveal' !!

12. What are the hardest posts to write

I was discussing this with Anita recently, we both agreed that the Free For All Friday posts are the hardest ones to write, trying to think up a suitable topic every four weeks. Yes we do sometimes cheat by looking back at similar ones from pervious years!

13. What is the difference on Twitter between Philofaxy and PhilofaxyNews

@Philofaxy is our main Twitter account, it shares the post from Philofaxy each day.
@PhilofaxyNews is an automated account, it relays posts from the Filofax Focus Flipboard magazine.

I hope I've answered most of your questions.... if not drop your question in the comments below.


23 December 2017

Web Finds - 23 December 2017

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 for our weekly round-up.

Here are some Philofaxy posts you might have missed this week:
  1. Web Finds 16 December 2017
  2. Setting Goals with your Filofax by Laurie
  3. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 66
  4. Free For All Tuesday No. 359
  5. Web Finds - 19 December 2017
  6. Welcome to Philofaxy
  7. Tell us about...... 19
  8. Free For All Friday No. 475 by Anita
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. Time management Monday: Planners for Men/ Gender Neutral Planners - Quo Vadis Blog
  2. Guest Post – How to use a Planner: Ideas and Inspiration from a Real Planner Girl - The Yorkshire Pudding
  3. Issue 8 – December 2017 - Paper Planning Magazine
  4. Writing Wednesday: Writing Series in 2018 - Quo Vadis Blog
  5. Mark Your Planner | 2018 Launch Dates - Day Designer
  6. New Year Planner - Mrs Brimbles
  7. Top 10 Quo Vadis Blog posts of 2017! - Quo Vadis Blog
  8. Planner Friday - December - She's Eclectic
  9. How to Hold Yourself Accountable in the New Year - Day Designer
  10. The Big Secret About Goal Setting - Getting Things Done
  11. Quo Vadis planners and diaries in the UK and other countries - Quo Vadis Blog
  • 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. 



22 December 2017

Free For All Friday No. 475 by Anita

I must admit that sometimes I find it hard to write the Free For All Fridays!
It seems that either I'm lacking in inspiration, or what I start to write really needs a much longer post.

As it's my last FFAF of 2017, I thought I'd reflect a little on how my year has been from a Filofax perspective... I have sold more binders than I've purchased, and I've learnt some useful lessons from some of those bought that weren't quite right for me. It's been a busy year and my binder has been invaluable, I'm happy with my set up and it just works well for me. Apart from trying out the ones that didn't work out, I've been in my red Winchester for nearly all of 2017 and am feeling very content now. 2018 will hopefully be more of the same, using up supplies I already own and I will be selling everything except the Winchester. 

How has your year been with your planner(s), and will you be staying with the same set up or ones for the new year?

And as always on Fridays, please feel free to discuss anything ring-bound planner related.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

21 December 2017

Tell us about...... 19

With less than 2 weeks to go to the end of the year.

'Are you thinking of changing how you use your organiser in anyway compared to the last year?'

The same as this year or different?

Tell us in the comments below.

20 December 2017

Welcome to Philofaxy

Welcome to Philofaxy.

If you are new to the site or you have been here for a while, this post is a way to show you around so you get the most from the site.

As you might have seen there is a lot of information on here and you might have problems remembering where everything is, so we hope to be able to help you out with how to find things to get the most out of the site.

So looking at the Home page you are on now, below the banner you will see: Home, About, FAQ etc

Home: Takes you back to the start page from where ever you are on the site, clicking on the banner does the same.

About: How to contact us at Philofaxy and some background on the contributors.

AdSpot: This is our readers advert page, you can place a wanted or for sale advert for your Filofax goods here free of charge. However, we do recommend donating to one of our favourite charities, but it's based on an honesty system, we don't check up on who has made donations and who hasn't.  This page is great because you are buying from people that do understand the Filofax range unlike some Ebay sellers... Please read our Sellers Guide before sending in your advert.

Catalogues - A vast collection of old Filofax and Lefax catalogues for you to use for research purposes

Diary Inserts: A huge collection of diary inserts for A4/A5, Personal, A6, Pocket, Mini and M2 sizes for you to download and print yourself.

FAQ: This is a good place to look for the simple often asked questions. We try to up date it from time to time to reflect the current topical questions. But you will find links to a lot of the previous posts on key topics like punches etc there.

Files: This the home for all our downloadable template files which you are welcome to customise to your own needs or just print them off as they are.

Links: Links to lots of blogs and other Filofax related sites, yes it is on my list of things to update this page as soon as I get some time!

Suppliers: Looking for a Filofax or inserts or accessories, then this page is a good place to start.

Searching Philofaxy -  With nearly 4000 posts on Philofaxy spread over 12 years, finding exactly the information you want could be quite a task... however we do have some tools to help you:
  • Search - Pop a key word in to the search box in the sidebar and the search tool will find all of the posts with that keyword in it.
  • Labels - Further down the sidebar you will find the label cloud again this will find all the posts with those labels on the posts. We try to label all posts, although some of the earlier ones are unlabelled... another job still to be done!
Subscribing to Philofaxy
  • RSS - You can add Philofaxy to your favourite RSS reader.
  • Email - If you want to receive each post by email, pop your email in to the subscribe by email box  and follow the instructions. This service is provided by Feedburner. They will send you a verification email which you have to click a link in to confirm your email address in the usual way.
Philofaxy on the Web
  • Facebook - You will find our Facebook page here and a list of other groups here
  • Twitter - We are very active on Twitter as @philofaxy 
  • Instagram - MrPhilofaxy is very active on Instagram
  • Flickr - There is a Flickr group for sharing your Filofax photos and ideas
  • Linking back to Philofaxy - If you would like to link back to Philofaxy from your website or blog we have a 'badge' with the exact code which you will find at the bottom of the side bar. 
Regular Posts on Philofaxy
  • Free For All Tuesday - Questions and Answers on any Filofax related topic
  • Free For All Friday - General discussion, open house for anything Filofax related
  • Webfinds - Each weeks round up of other Filofax related posts on the web
  • The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - a regular podcast featuring Steve and Karine who discuss a wide range of topics and subjects. Each one is about 30 minutes in length, take a listen and subscribe.  
Other Philofaxy Events
  • Skype Roundtable Voice and Text Chats - once a month we have a Skype video/voice conference, this is open to anybody to join in. It is an open agenda and we don't only get to talk about Filofax things. People taking part can be spread around the world, so it can be quite educational as well as good fun. Look out for announcements on the blog about when the next one will be. Generally they are the first Sunday of the month, but they can move slightly if this conflicts with public holidays or Steve's travel arrangements!
  • Meet Ups - We have held several very successful meet ups, they vary in size from as little as two or three people up to twelve people, these have been held in London, New York, France, Holland, Belgium with other ones planned for other countries around the world.
    Although meeting 'people off the internet' can sometimes seem a little odd, we all have at least one interest in common and everyone I've met at all the different meet ups have been great people to sit and chat with.  
Guest Posts on Philofaxy
We welcome people to do guest posts on Philofaxy, but they must be about ring bound planners of some type or be associated with planners, time management in some way. We do not respond to requests to post links along with guest posts about pensions, raising a family, investment opportunities in the Scilly Isles, etc. etc.... yes we get frequent offers like this in the Philofaxy in-box!  If you would like to do a genuine guest post this post will be a great help to you.  
That was a bit of a lightening tour around the site and some of our activities. Please do add a comment on to posts, we love to get feedback and we do read all the comments.

If there's something you haven't understood or there's a topic we haven't covered that is Filofax related please get in touch with us and we will do our best to respond to your email within a day or so.

19 December 2017

Web Finds - 19 December 2017

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.

Meanwhile here are a selection of the latest Filofax videos for your enjoyment.
  1. Functional Planning In My Foxy Fix planners - Fran Plans!!
  2. PLAN WITH ME | A5 / Large kikki.K Planner | December 18-24 | 'MERRY AND BRIGHT' - ms.paperlover
  3. Girlboss Functional Planning 3 - How to Mind Map your Job Description | Kendra Bork - Kendra Bork
  4. TIPS & TRICKS: How to Use Your Planner for Time Management » Functional Planning » Artsy Alyce - Artsy Alyce
  5. Girlboss Functional Planning 4 - Goal Setting Using Your Job Description | Kendra Bork - Kendra Bork
  6. 2018 Planner Line Up and Van Der Spek Touch Me Noir Flip - Mod Planner Girl
  7. PipSticks Planner Kit Unboxing || Discount code || Van Der Spek quick planner update!! - Marsia Bramucci
  8. Gillio A6 Compagna Ring Planner - Setup - misshollyho
  9. Planners I Use + New Foxy Fix Rings - Annie Plans
  10. Thrift Store Find Franklin Quest Desk Planner - TalesFromAPolkCountyGirl
  11. Mini Happy Planner-Franklin Covey HACK - Stranger Archives
  12. Planner Peace || Franklin Covey & Erin Condren... A Match Made in Heaven! - PandaBoo Designs
  13. Plannercon Europe - Brussels 2017 - Managing Mischief Co
  14. New Journal and Filofax Malden - Robin's Nest
  15. DIY Filofax Dividers | Colorful Scalloped Tab Dividers - PlansMeetPaper 
  16. Option Three, Filofax 2018 - Planner chicky
  17. 2018 Planner Setup: Pocket Filofax - Plannerfulofkeyz
  18. Girlboss Functional Planning 5 - Gracefully Merging Digital and Analog | Kendra Bork - Kendra Bork
  • 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. Plan With Me – Winter Animals - Sam Alderson
Enjoy.




Free For All Tuesday No. 359

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.

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

It is Tuesday after all so fire away.

18 December 2017

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Plannerverse - Episode 66


Planning and Execution. 

Planning your week can take many forms, but ensuring you get through all your tasks and appointments in the week can be another matter.

Doing them efficiently and with the least amount of stress and with the better chance of success is also important.

In this episode we discuss various ideas on how to Plan and Execute your tasks for the week and in different scenarios too.

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

Show Notes (timings approximate)
00:00 - Introduction
02:00 - How to get through your list of tasks
03:00 - Pre-planning
04:00 - Getting the order of doing things in correct
08:00 - Omnifocus - Location based tasks
12:00 - Routines
16:00 - Our normal routines, ones we don't think about in detail
18:00 - Planning travel
20:00 - Itinerary planning - Travel Planning Personal size insert .docx .pdf
25:00 - Expand what you are going to do to help you get through the tasks
29:00 - Tip of the week

Karine's Printer:



Episode 66 -  Planning and Execution


A direct download is also available here: Episode66.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:
Karine: Plannerology, Karine Tovmassian (IG)
Steve: Philofaxy, Travellers Notebook Times, Mr Philofaxy (IG)

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: http://philofaxy.com/podcast/

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

Previous Episodes:

2017

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