2013 Planner Organization…

January 8, 2013

I shared my 2012 planner a few months ago (here).  I used the Martha Stewart binder.  It was so pretty & worked great, but something was missing.  I needed more space & more pockets.  After much research, I found a website called Filofaxusa.com.  I googled to see if anyone else used this type of planner. Let me tell you, there are a TON of filofax fans, blogs, and pictures on the internet.  I browsed a lot of them, trying to decide which planner might fit my needs best, and I found the A-5 size, Finsbury model.   I was instantly in love!  I love this planner so much, I ordered it in raspberry & mustard.  It has everything I need in a planner. It even fits in my new Louis Vuitton bag perfectly!  Without further adieu…

 

My 2013 Filofax Planner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s in my planner?

  • A5 Filofax Day per page Business Style (2013)
  • A5 Month on 2 pages
  • Month Tabs
  • Blank Index Tabs (2 sets)
  • A5 to do list
  • A5 ruled note paper classic colors
  • A5 Finance
My accessories
How I organize my planner?
  • Color code everyone’s schedule (Blue=Blog, Green=To Do’s/Appt’s, Yellow=Kids, Pink=Me, Red=Dr Appt)
  • Daily to do’s/reminders go on a sticky note. If I dont complete the task, it gets moved to the next day.
  • Use tabs for each category (See above).
  • Sticky tabs are used for sub categories within a category. (Top of planner pages).
  • Check planner every morning & night.

 

SHARE YOUR PLANNER…

Do you have a love for planners & organizers as well?  Would you like to share your planner organization at A Bowl Full of Lemons?  If so, please email me your planner pictures (un-shrunk) at abowlfulloflemons@gmail.com.

 

155 comments on “2013 Planner Organization…

  1. julie says:

    It’s lovely! I’d love to hear an explanation of how you use it….and especially all those way too fun colorful pens & markers! 😉 I’m hoping there’s a blog post coming soon about that! Thanks Toni….love your blog 🙂

  2. Dana says:

    Where did you get the cloth pen holder/organizer? Love!

  3. Wow! It’s a wonderful planner!I love it!

  4. Amy says:

    I wish I could see the pictures you post. I’ve tried turning off the adblockers for your site and using 3 different browsers (chrome, firefox and ie). The images you post never show up. There’s just a blank image space like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlor/8361409324/in/photostream

    Help?

    • Sue says:

      Agreed. I just get a broken link. Breaks my heart/

    • Anonymous says:

      I can see all of the images well. Try to do a disk clean-up& defrag and clean cookies well and then come back to the page to those having trouble. Love this planner and the colors are awesome! Great choice!! Thanks for sharing it with us=)

    • Anonymous says:

      Try the browser opera. I was having the same problem on my husbands phone until he started using that. Hope that helps.

  5. Charmaine says:

    Hi Toni, The highlight of the new year has always been opening a new planner for me. I love yours and thanks for sharing. In the last 2 pictures you showed a pen organizer was it a DIY or a purchase? Can you share so info on that?

  6. Samantha says:

    It’s funny that your blog is about simplifying life and I counted 42 pens in your bag….Pens must be your thing lol!

    Mine is packets of tissues….I dread to think how many of those I’ve got in my bag!

  7. Filofax Fan says:

    Thanks for this post! I use my personal Malden on a daily basis, and loved getting a peek in to yours. I look forward to taking a few of your tips and cleaning mine up a bit so that it is even more functional for me. 🙂

  8. dana says:

    I am in awe of your ability to organize. I love love love your blog and especially your planner! You make it look so easy! I wish I could pull my life together to be this organized or even half as organized. I am running all day and feel like I have no time to be this organized. I know to some it’s easy to be organized, not for me. How do you all do it?? If anyone has tips to help me change please email me at dlp910@gmail.com

  9. Shyla says:

    I love this! I am a planner junkie, as much as I love my iphone, I cannot leave my paper planner! I love to write things and it has to be in color

    • Merri says:

      I love the idea of the Fold-N-Go orgainzer. Never would have thought to use it for that. I have seen many use it for couponing. I am a consultant for Thirty-One and if you go to my site you can get it from there. I also use the Timeless Beauty bag as my office on the go. I put all sorts of stuff in it.

      Shyla, I am with you I love my phone, it is a Galaxy S3 and I am a planner junkie as well. Trying to find the one that is best for what I need. I do love the organization she has here.

  10. Beautiful planner and great setup! I used to have that exact planner, but I just didn’t have the room to haul it around. I’ve now downsized to a personal sized. I love your color coding!

    • Amy McClatchy says:

      How is the personal size working for you? I LOVED LOVED LOVED my filofax in the pre iphone era and I am so thrilled they are still around:)

      • Amy, I’m sorry, I didn’t see this reply! I love the personal size. I actually tried recently to move back to the A5, and I just couldn’t handle the big size. I have three kids so I have a lot of info to track, but I also have a lot of things to carry around. The compromise I’ve reached is that I carry a compact personal size (personal size papers, but the rings of the binder are smaller) and I have about a month’s worth of day on two pages papers. In addition, I also have a year of monthly papers. That way I have plenty of time to plan each day on the daily pages, but I can note appointments and such on the monthly planner. I love my Filofax for that very reason-so easy to customize!

  11. Dawn Ward says:

    Where can I get one of these planers????
    Dawn

  12. Aimi says:

    Love your Filofax!! I just ordered 2 of them this weekend during their big sale!! They will be my first – Cuban A5, and a pocket Chameleon I hope to use as a wallet!! I am not-so-patiently waiting for Fed Ex to come today, any minute now!! I cannot say how excited I am. I agree, would love to see a post on how you use it! Great post!!

  13. Janis Miller says:

    The pen organizer she is using is a Fold-N-Go from Thrity-One! They are great for so many different things! Love the Filofax Toni! Thanks for sharing!!

  14. Gretta says:

    Great idea love everything about it plus the bag

  15. LisaW says:

    Found your website via a friend’s share on facebook over Christmas break! Love your site! God used your site to give me a new vision for our family organization. In the process of cleaning & organizing my “homeschool” counter – lots consolidating of files to do, too! I loved your purse organizing! I found the filofaxusa site, too & just received the A-5 Apex @60% off! I am waiting for my ThirtyOne order so I can finally create the purse I have in mind.
    Thanks for all of your inspiration!
    Lisa

  16. Coreen says:

    Do you use your Filofax planner the way some use a home binder? I am in the middle of scouring the internet, mostly Pinterest, to put together a home management binder. It looks like you have a lot of that sort of information in your Filofax. I have a Franklin planner I have used on and off through the years. I like the way you have your Filofax laid out, but I don’t want to duplicate my efforts between the planner and the binder. I am trying to be much more efficient. We have 5 kids who range in age from 17 to 2. Every spectrum of life going on from Driver’s Ed to potty training so efficiency and organizing is high on my list this year. Thanks.

  17. Sam says:

    Love your planner ideas. I just bought the Martha one. I am actually gearing up to use it today. It was pricey after it was filled with each section. The filofax is VERY pricey ($99) and more would be needed to add.
    Im sticking with Martha…..
    Love the new LV….Way out of budget for normal mamas……..the Vera was more my speed…ha!

  18. Liz says:

    I really like the organizer but what is with all the pens? It’s like a box of crayola threw up in your beautiful, neutral bag! Aren’t you afraid they will mark your bag? I always love how you have everything set just so and without clutter so this is an interesting departure. Not that it’s not “organized” but to me, all the colors and pens makes it seem kind of riotous and definitely NOT soothing! I would love to have an organizer like this to put everything in one place but you have to tell us what on earth all the markers are for? It makes me kind of dizzy!

    • Joann says:

      I have been scrolling through these posts to see if anyone asked the same questions! Please please explain the pens. Do you carry them with you all the time or is this just where you store them? Is this your everyday bag? I’m into color and just purchased a new planner last night! I am finally going back to paper after struggling with electronic organizing and being miserable. Please comment about the pens and teach us how to use them!

      • Admin says:

        This is my everyday bag. I dont usually have them all in there. I use the highlighters for color coding the schedule. The Sharpies & Flairs are not usually both in my bag. I use them to write on my washi tape and sticky notes. The washi tape can go all the way across the page, depending on what you want to use it for. I used it for our vacation block out on the planner, spring break, and important dates to be “highlighted”. Hope this helps. 🙂

    • Debi Powell says:

      I’m wondering the same thing! Love the pretty colors, but wouldn’t like 5 or 6 suffice? I’m curious what you use them for as well…. does anyone know??

  19. Robin says:

    oh wow! I love this post! And I am smiling from ear to ear because I purchased the EXACT Filofax a few weeks ago!! I love it so far but with your post, I feel like I am going to be uber organized 😀

  20. Amy McClatchy says:

    I love your planner but I REALLY WANT YOUR BAG!!!!

  21. Joanna Christophersen says:

    I really thought I was the only person that had a planner/ office supply addiction. Thank you for easing my mind 🙂 My lay out is very similar (for this 5 minutes: it changes with my mood) but I’m interested in what you use the Washi tape for. Is it for scheduling appointments in your calendar? I use the transparent sticky notes for that- heaven forbid I have to erase anything or use white out in my prized possession 😉

  22. Jaime Cotter says:

    The cool pen case is from Thirty One. It’s big enough to hold a nook or Kindle too.

    http://Www.thirtyonegifts.com

  23. Shelly D. says:

    You mentioned washi tape. I love washi tape! But how do you use it in your planner? I’d love another place to use it. Maybe I could justify my addiction!

    • carrie says:

      i agree…i want to see more on using the washi tape! i am an addict too and would love to see it in action.
      i just got my first filofax yesterday!!! it is orange and i think the metrol one? oh boy..i would never make it in philofaxy world! anyway…its the personal size and i love it.

  24. Mindy says:

    Love the use of the washi tape! I have oodles that I can put to good work! Brilliant!

  25. This is really cool. I love the colors and the different markers. I’m honestly a Google Docs spreadsheet kind of girl but if I ever went back to paper, this is what I’d use.

  26. Amie says:

    I want one!!

  27. Jeanette says:

    The organizer in me just sequels with delight, but the techie in me says “keep it digital, it’s cheaper, smaller, reusable,and share-able”. Tough call. Very tough call.

  28. Shayla says:

    Love Love Love this! Simple yet very effective!

  29. Robbie says:

    Oh my gosh–it’s like all my favorite things in the world came together in this one post: planners (love the color!), chocolate (the Godiva rewards card), Thirty-One products, color coding…and there was even an ad for Gantt chart software! I had been meaning to take a photo of my 2013 planner set up; will definitely have to do that now so I can send it on to you. I had tried to get my Facebook friends to tell me about their 2013 planners, but get much response. Nice to find others who share my enthusiasm! 🙂

  30. Amanda says:

    Do you use an online calendar as well? I used to use and love my filofax, but I found that once I got married and had kids, that a shard online calendar (we use google calendar) was the only way to go so that my husband could see when all of the appts and family outings, etc. are. Do you find it difficult to keep your husband in the loop if you are using a print calendar/planner?

    I would love to go back to using my filofax so I was just wondering if you’ve found a good way to include other family members?

    • Jeanette says:

      I’m TOTALLY on the same page with husbands and Google calendars. I’ve decide to get a planner and will just have to go double duty with Google to keep everything in sync. I realized I need the planner for those little notes and to-do lists that just take too long to write down on the phone. Plus this will force me to spend needed time with my planner, as is suggested.

      • Fabulous post. It is possible to blend online (such as Google) calendars and paper planners. I currently have a shared family (colour coded of course) Google calendar which I print out onto paper. I print the next 3-4 weeks as Week on two pages for a detailed week to view and the next 12 months as month to view. This way you get the best of both worlds.

  31. shailor says:

    Do all your ‘page per day’ pages fit in your filofax? (:

  32. Suus S says:

    Love the planner. And I loveeeeeee all those pens. You have put a very nice planner. I think I am going to use some of tour ideas.

  33. DEM says:

    Welcome to the Filofax fan club! They are addictive and useful little things! Before I knew it I had acquired 12 of them! Your FF is beautiful!!!

  34. GG says:

    Beautiful and inspiring, thanks for sharing! I love how you have everything neatly organized in one purse.

  35. Thanks for sharing. Love the binder and the way you set it up.

  36. Love it all! I’m a Thirty-One Consultant and I love seeing how people really do utilize Thirty-One products in their everyday life! LOVE your blog. ♥

  37. Klavdija says:

    God, I love your planner! You did well 🙂 I’m crazy about planners, my “Do it all” planner is now replaced with handy Moleskine weekly planner, I can’t leave without my planner and all the lists 🙂

  38. gothbarbie says:

    Love how you’ve set up your new filofax – it looks so happy and pretty! I for one drooled when I saw the plethora of pretty pens in your purse – and the way you have them stowed looks so neat and tidy – yet handy! I carry tons of pens with me but my purse doesn’t look that organized! Thanks for sharing!

  39. wlh says:

    Can you tell me if you carry your FF around all of the time or do you leave it at home and use a smaller planner in your purse? That is my difficulty, I love planners, but carrying around a large planner gets so heavy and burdensome…

    • Admin says:

      I ALWAYS have mine with me. If its not in my purse (when I go into a store), its in my car. Never leave home without it. 🙂

  40. Angela says:

    Love it! I put all of my appointments in my phone’s calender and set a reminder, but I still love to physically write stuff down and cross it off.

  41. Ellie says:

    Loved this idea and I get my planner in the mail today! So, excited! Thank you, you helped me finally decide on a planner. Was struggling into the new year with making a final decision. So, of course I am behind and things have been a little crazy with moving in late December. You have been an inspiration for many ares of my home. Thanks!

    • Lynette D. says:

      How have you enjoyed using the Filofax? I’ve just recently gone from online back to a traditional planner, and I like the one I’ve chosen but its not very customizable. How are you liking the Filofax?

  42. What a great blog! – Stopping by from Filofaxy and about to be a new subscriber.

  43. Shelly says:

    That is just so pretty… I swear I heard Angels sing… (seriously, I loooooooove pink and your planner is about the prettiest I’ve seen! ) Loooooooooove it!

  44. Kristine says:

    I am a planner addict too! Right now, I’m using mom agenda planner for 2013. Already browsing ideas for 2014. I usually get my next planner by end of Summer to get ready for school year. Will keep Filofax in mind. 🙂

  45. I had a similar experience when I was looking for a new planner, found the web just full of filofax fans and just had to get one for myself. It’s my second year now with a personal sized Adephli filofax and I love it. Your post is tempting me over to the A5 size though, so much room to write! I’m also using a plannerisms planner.. if you haven’t checked out laurie’s plannerisms blog you should!

  46. Carla says:

    Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of Filofax. The Finsbury in Raspberry is a wonderful choice. Enjoy. 🙂

  47. Marge says:

    Love your planner! I’m going to get one soon.. Did you make your own divider pages and tabs? Where did you get those? The ones that are the right side going down… Thanks for your website and sharing your planner…way cool.

  48. Tammy says:

    My sister sells 31 anyone is looking for those products to organize! They have the organizing cube too. Her site is http://www.mythirytone.com/partywitmarty Love this post I am so getting oganized thsi year!

  49. Sara Mesa says:

    I absolutely love Filofax and I had to buy one. My first one as a matter of fact. I bought the personal size to be able to carry it in just about all my purses. I use a Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10.1 to keep appts and as an organizer but I have to have it on paper. I have a few Franklin Coveys but I am in love with Filofax. It is very cool and functional. I am sure that after all of these posts, Filofax has had a huge increase in sales. Happy Organizing.

  50. Allison Stull says:

    I love your planner. I have pages from the same martha stewart binder you used in 2012. Im am looking for a new binder but love the pages im already useing. Can the same size papers that fit in the martha stewart binder, also fit in the Filofax A5? Thanks for your help!

  51. Teresa says:

    What style is your Filofax? I know it’s an A5, but what is the name of it? I was trying to find it but couldn’t pin it down. Thanks!

  52. Brooke says:

    For those that asked about a synchronized Calendar…try Kozi Calendar. You can use it on the PC and on Android/Iphone/Kindles 🙂 And, you can set things on the calendar for everyone or specific people (i.e. parents vs parents & kids) and will also email you or text you reminders. I love it. Although, can’t get my husband to use the same – he doesn’t TRY to be organized 🙂

  53. Alexandra Stoddard has been using Filofax for decades. I’ve got a mini-Filofax and use it for notes, memos, etc. but use a Franklin Covey system to keep my life straight -ha ha-. I can’t say I’m thrilled with it so may change if/when I find something I like better.

    • Gena says:

      I’m glad to see someone still using the Franklin. When used properly, you can’t beat them. However, with technology involved these days, there isn’t much of a need for me and the extensive Franklin system any longer…I’m liking this Filofax idea…I have lost all “data” using “technology” once, so pen and paper is worth something to me.

  54. Chelsea says:

    I really love your blog and all the organization tips you give. I love love love this planner and everything you do with it, I am absolute awe!!! It inspires me to go out and reorganize mine. I also love your purse and would love to know what kind it is… i am a shopper so it caught my eye along with the amazing organization!!! 🙂

  55. Lexie says:

    I am curious how much it was, it looks expensive. Currently (as I am on a budget and money savey) I am using one from Walgreens that is only 6.00. clearly I am far to frugal for this one but I love it. Are Printables available online for pages those of us want that cannot afford such a planner and want to make our own?? Thanks!

    • Amber says:

      I am about a month late on this, but http://diyplanner.com has a TON of free printables, not to mention a hundred other website. There’s more work that goes into making your own planner and it’s a system of trial and error, but it can be as inexpensive as a stack of index cards and a binder clip or more elaborate.

  56. Jessica says:

    I just ordered a Finsbury personal size in raspberry this morning! I cannot wait for it to ship and arrive! There is just something about pen and paper that I like better than trying to keep everything on my phone or ipad. It’s going to be fun setting it up!

  57. Evelyn says:

    I just got my first Filofax. I’m so excited to start using it. But how do you use yours? I have to start getting organized. With two kids, school, work, and everything else I don’t have time to get organized but now I will. Can you give me a couple of ideas of how yours is setup?

  58. carolynn says:

    What’s your preferred pen for writing in your filofax? I’m looking for one with no bleed or shadowing on the back of the filofax paper. I love my pilot precise v5 roller balls, but there IS a bit of color showing on the back side of the pages.

  59. Juli says:

    I love my Filofax. I have the slim personal size Finsbury in raspberry which I use as my wallet. Love it!!! My boys are all in college now so I just use it for myself and my husband. I have used color coding ever since my boys were little. Each one had their own color for hangers, towels, gameboys, as well as pen color for my calendar. A was green and S was blue. It was such a lifesaver and we averted many conflicts because I didn’t have to ask who left the towel on the bathroom floor or who needed to put their clothes away from the laundry room. I could tell by what color the towel or hangers were. No blaming it on the other. So simple. I used the same color for marking their stuff in my planner. Worked great for my planner as I didn’t need to put a name next to an event. I could tell by what color it was written in who it belonged to. My husband and I also had our own colors for my calendar and still do. Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful organizing tips. I have enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to the next.

    • Evelyn says:

      I love that idea. I also have boys. A matter of fact. Two 9 and 7 1/2. And you gave me a great idea. Because I constantly have to be asking, Who’s towel, who’s shoes ect…. Thanks for the great idea. I hope other people put more ideas.

  60. Katie Hanes says:

    I love how you did your planner!!!! I just bought the ARC system and am working on organizing it, you gave me some great ideas! I also sell Thirty One and Love my Fold N Go Organizers…. They are great from everything from pen holders to using them to hold wipes, diapers, and creams and then flipping them over to use as a changing station! If any of you readers out there need help ordering please let me know!
    https://www.mythirtyone.com/KatieHanes/

  61. Anonymous says:

    I love your site!!! It’s my first visit here. I want this planner- but $100 is pretty expencive for me. Has anyone found anything comparable for less?
    Thanks,

    Dawn

  62. Anonymous says:

    I love that organizer, but think that $99 is pretty expensive. Has anyone found anything comparable for less? Love your site. It’s my first visit!

    Dawn

  63. Dawn says:

    Love this site!!! Love the planner- but $99 is expensive for me. Has anyone found anything comparable for less?

    • Jessica says:

      I love Filofax but thought the price tag was a little much for me, too. Especially on my first attempt at a planner – I didn’t want to end up spending $100 on something I hated! I personally enjoy my Day Runner, the Signature line. It’s refillable, and completely customizable. That’s what I love about it! It was about $25 – comes with the entire year in monthly form, some weekly pages, a “today” tab, a contacts section, a pencil pouch, lots of pockets and some note paper.
      Separately, I bought some tabs, highlighters, etc., to customize it, and then I bought more refill paper from the website so that I could create my own sections. I love mine, it works perfectly for me and ended up looking nearly exactly like this one!

  64. Beverley Woodbyrne says:

    Could anyone tell me what washi tape is please? I have never heard it of it over here in England. Love this planner, incredibly organised to look at. Would love to hear how you actually use it. Love your blog by the way.

    • Claire says:

      Its kind of like masking tape in different colors that you can write on. Its really cute and makes important tasks pop. I got mine at target 4 rolls for 6 bucks!

  65. Carolyn says:

    I just love your planner! I also have An A5 Finsbury . Mine is in Antique Rose. I have been using Filo faxes for a while and they are such beautiful planners. Your website in one of my favorites!!

  66. Michelle Erwin Felzien says:

    I was wondering if anyone has experience with any online planning systems? I like the FiloFlex and I had a difficult time finding them, other then online. I learned at the store that carries them that they will soon discontinue carrying the products due to lack of interest. I live in California the land of Smart Phones. I would like to have some ideas of how to incorporate the planner with any online systems such as Outlook or Google, etc. I also carry so much as it is to be carrying a planner seems a little overwhelming.

  67. Claire says:

    Hi Tori! I absolutley LOVE your blog!!! I just ordered my second filofax and it should be in the mail this coming week! I was wondering if there are any other planner inserts that will fit in the filofax? I’m looking for something with a little more style than plain white pages?

    p.s. I cant WAIT for the next book in the book club!! The last one had me crying!!

  68. April says:

    Do you REALLY carry THAT MANY PENS with you in your purse?

  69. Anonymous says:

    I went to the filofaxusa website to look for the Day per page fill ins, and all i could find was this: http://www.filofaxusa.com/store/diaryrefillsdetails.asp?productId=2385
    is this the same size or will it not fit int he A5. If this isn’t the right product, can you leave a link to the correct one? I’m in LOVE with your planner, and basically your entire blog. i will be using it for sure in my first home!

  70. Brittany says:

    Hi I was looking on the filofax website- I can not find the A5 Filofax Day per page Business Style (2013)
    on there. Any ideas where to find them? I have been searching I am new to the planning system! Any help would be appreciated. Love your site!

  71. Amanda says:

    Hi there. Need some help. I am really new to the Filofax world and am looking to set mine up similar to yours. Problem is I have been having no luck finding A5 day on a page andvmonth on two page refills for 2013. I don’t know what to do or where to purchase as they don’t seem to be available on the site . Help please xo thanks a bunch !

  72. Harini says:

    Love Your planner… I use a time capsule system to organise my day in the office.
    I hope you like it here…http://livingorgansied.blogspot.com/

    Love from India
    Harini

  73. Erika Taylor says:

    So do you have an organizer as well as a home management binder? It seems kind of redundant as they have the same sections. Please let me know what works best for you, if you use both and if so how? Thank you so much for this inspiring blog!!

  74. Rebecca Nelson says:

    I love your planner!!! I’m a planner junkie. I have a day planner from erincondren.com which I love but I need more info in my planners. I might try filoflax. I have heard of them. I love it you to like to color code. I’m huge with that. It helps me a lot. I love your organization with your planner. I’m BIG on that too!! Where did you get that LV purse? I’ve been looking for one like that. I love how the A5 you mentioned fits in the purse. That’s great news.

  75. Anonymous says:

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this site and the planner. I especially love colored lined paper to write on but can’t figure out the sizing? Amazon has it and it is for FF but is referred to as “personal size???” I am not familiar with A5 or anything or their code numbers. I like a 5X7 planner so what should I look for since they don’t always give the dimensions clearly?

  76. Erika Taylor says:

    I would like to understand your entire process in terms of your family binder vs your planner/organizer. I followed your older post and created a family binder which also has most of the stuff I see in your organizer. Do you still have the family binder as well as this filofax organizer. Are you writing your data in both places. Please answer me as I feel as though I have my info in so many places. I mean who carry’s the family binder with them everywhere but yet it has so much that you need (schedules, grocery list etc). Thank you so much for helping me in organizing my life with all of your ideas!!!!!

    • Toni says:

      I have a filofax that I use for everything now. I used to use a home management binder but you dont need both. If you dont have a filofax or planner, I would use a home management binder. Then you will also need a budget binder. Hope this helps. 🙂

    • Angie says:

      I myself have find it much easier (and lighter) to create a dedicated Home Management binder that stays at home, rather than keep that information in a Filofax. As for avoiding duplication of things like recipe list and grocery list, my method is to use my Home binder (using generous 8 1/2 x 11 letter sized paper) for planning and mapping things out. I then keep sticky notes right inside my Home binder to jot down the items I need to buy from the store, which I stick into my Filo. As for meals, the week is mapped out in my Home binder, but on a daily basis, jotted down in quick form “B: L: D:” in my filo for quick reference. This is the only information I duplicate from Home binder to Filofax which I do every morning as I am charting out my day.

  77. Erika Taylor says:

    Thank you so much…this helps alot. Just wondering if you have the time and you are willing to share…what goes in each section…If you have a budget binder whats in the budget section of your filofax, what is travel section etc. I know that everyone has a different system but I why reinvent the great wheel that yo’ve already created. Enjoy your evening!

  78. Natalie says:

    I just found your site and I am really loving it! You introduced me to both Erin Condren and Thirty One Gifts and I am lusting over both products. Out of curiosity, why did you choose to stop using Erin Condren and go for Filofax? I’m trying to decide between the two at the moment, and I’m interested in your thoughts.

    • Toni says:

      Last year when I found the filofax I fell in LOVE. Its really hard to explain but its much better than erin condren. You can do alot more and customize the filofax. 😉 Not a hard choice for me.

  79. Lolita says:

    Your ideas and creativity are impressive! I’m a high school student and I would like to know if a Filofax would be useful for my school stuff and my papers. Is it hard to keep it organized?

    • Toni says:

      Lolita, They would be great for your high school organization! You can customize the filofax to fit your needs. 🙂

  80. Kathy L says:

    You are now 6 months into using this new planner. Do you still like it? My current planner is a school year calendar. I am getting ready to try something new because what I used for last year did not work.

  81. Chris says:

    I have 3 filofax’s an A5 which is my home everyday,day to a page (printed free from limetree) zone cleaner, menu planner, garden , bills, catchall and co-ordinates the other two. My personal one is my project planner of everything from painting the verandah to a knitting project. The pocket size one I use as my purse with credit cards 3 months of week to a page at a time and blank pages I made for my shopping lists which I just tear off also a section for clothes sizes. It’s handy for jotting down appointment,phone numbers, and ideas I see while shopping.
    It’s taken me years to get to this stage and it works.My husband writes all his stuff on a FL calendar that I only put on time related things he needs to know.
    For those on a budget little 3 ring binders are good for experimenting with,before outlaying on a planner, with lots of free printable available on the net.

  82. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for
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  83. Jessica says:

    OH EMMM GEEEE can I just say you are a girl after my own heart. I love with a capital ‘L’ your planner. I don’t tend to find someone who gets what I am looking for and you did it!

  84. Anusha says:

    Oh goodness! I can’t even start to tell you how much i loved this post. I’m such a fan of organization, i’m a neat freak! all the images were so colorful, it’s very refreshing, as well as informative.

  85. Miriam says:

    I love these, but cheese weasels they are expensive! Is there something similar cheaper? Any suggestions?

  86. StevieB says:

    I love this site!! and love all the organizing tips, but can you tell me where you purchase your LV bags 🙂

  87. Those are amazing ways to organize an agenda. It would bee awesome to have a planner like that, even though it’s way too pricey for me. And your method of using your planner was amazing!

  88. KarenJ says:

    Do you like your Filofax planner better than the Erin Condren planner?

  89. Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
    There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks

  90. Claudia says:

    I am so happy I found this page <3 I love this planner. And I am so glad to know that I am not the only one obsessed with my planner 🙂

  91. Shannon says:

    Love this. Love your site, but it is so bad for me right now,trying to do the Dave Ramsey TMMO. I am constantly tempted to buy new things to organize.

  92. Katheryn says:

    I’m wondering if anyone has used the ARC or circa hole punchers to punch paper and insert pages, etc into a spiral book? I have a spiral notebook I’d love to re-purpose as a planner/journal and am trying to figure out how to insert additional printables and tabs, etc.

  93. Dana says:

    Why do you prefer the filofax planner over a Franklin Covey? Just curious.

    • Rachel says:

      Toni typically says, it’s just a personal preference. She likes the customizing that the Filofax allows; not just that you can customize but the options for customizing.

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  95. Do you know of a less expensive organizer? The Filofax is expensive.

    • Rachel says:

      There are planners for all price ranges. You can check out any mega-store (walmart, target) or an office supply store for less expensive alternatives to the Filofax.

  96. Go Here says:

    Pretty useful….looking forwards to coming back.

  97. Anonymous says:

    Where did you find such a beautiful small binder like that?

  98. le says:

    when I look at this post I totally relate to it I’m obsessed with stationary and my filofax

  99. Ciara says:

    To the person who wrote this post, would u mind helping me put together this planner? I bought Filofax planner and need help please!
    This will help me and my family so much.
    Thank you

  100. Tala says:

    It’s 2014 but this is the only time I’ve come across this post and it’s wonderful! I resolved to be more organized with my planner last December and my bag looks exactly like what you have last year! Glad to see that someone else from the other side of the world “functions” like me. Hehe. Cheers to organizillas!

  101. Nicole Morrison says:

    I absolutely love your page! So trying to find a mustard a5, alas I have had no luck! I am a long time filofax addict. Loving the pictures of your planner!

  102. Anonymous says:

    I’m sure someone asked this above but there were so many comments I couldn’t read them all! 🙂 but what bag is that? It’s so cute! Thanks!

  103. Amy says:

    What kind of bag is that? Do you use it as your purse or a tote?

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