Empress Bat's Journal: filofax hacks

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Filofax - Mini Malden in navy

I have many Filofax ring bound organisers.. Some of them are quite old, some of them are unusual, ... some of them are sitting on a shelf gathering dust bunnies. Basically I really did not need to buy another Filofax. Did I let that stop me? No dear reader, no.

My favourite model of Filofax of all time is the Malden. The soft covers, the zipped pockets, the many places to stash forgotten business cards. I have had a Personal and an A5 Malden in purple for many years, and have wanted a mini version for a long time. I was sad when I realised Filofax were not making them anymore.

That was until Filofax started making them again!

Last month (being April 2021 if you are reading this in the far off future) I decided I was going to stop being sensible - ha me sensible... anyway I was going to stop saying to myself 'no you don't need another Filofax', and give in to the temptation that is the gorgeous navy Malden mini.

I purchased mine online from Organiser World in Australia, I have been a frequent customer of theirs for quite some time. If you are interested in viewing their offerings the link to their site is here: Organiser World (Australia).

Once the gorgeous little Malden arrived, and after I spent a good hour or so delighting in its company, and talking to it (don't judge), I realised I needed to have a use for it. This is where I decided to make it my new wallet, Note I have used Filofaxes as wallets before, in 2018 I was using a Filofax Topaz mini as a wallet, a short post about that can be viewed form this link: Filofax Topaz as a wallet. I have also used other mini Filofaxes as wallets ... and funnily enough I have also used... wait for it ..WALLETS as wallets...

hand holding a navy blue small Filofax organiser binder

The mini Malden, isn't it adorable?

I scoured around my very disgustingly messy art room/study/cannot find the floor room, for plastic credit card holders that I could convert for this Filofax. I found some from an old wallet, punched holes into the sides of the plastic sleeves and then placed them in the Filofax. This way I have somewhere to stash cards (like my EB Games card, or as you can see in the photo, my public transport card - 'Go Card') that can be scanned without having to take them out of my wallet. The small zipper section is ideal to keep a few coins, and there is a full length pocket encompassing the entire back of the organiser that I can stash dollar notes and receipts. I have added some note paper in the back in case I want to write a quick shopping list or note something, and I added a key ring chain to the zip so I can clip decorative and possibly nerdy type of things on there if I choose too. Like a Legend of Zelda keyring charm for example. I cut the acrylic packaging that was around the organiser (the acetate stuff that has 'Filofax' printed on it, to make a fly leaf. I kept the box the Filofax came in to stash the diary and other inserts the Malden came with.

open Filofax navy blue mini ring bound organiser, with a rose gold key chain on the zip that is on left hand side, and travel and credit cards visible in the pockets and card sleeves

It's my wallet!

The mini Malden is well made, with contrasting white stiching along the edges, a press stud closure, and a pen loop. On the right hand side when open, there are two credit card sized pockets and one zip pocket, and the right hand side has two credit card/business card pockets.As mentioned before there is a pocket the length of the cover at the back. The rings are tight and close well, and the opening mechinism is firm but not too hard to press to open the rings.

This mini Malden cost me $159.95 Australian and I am pleased I convinced myself I needed it as it is a cute wallet, and is now also part of my Malden collection.

If you want to see more posts about Filofaxes and planners please see the index to those topics in my blog to the left of this post, and also I highly recommend you visit Philofaxy.

A glimpse of my Filofax Topaz mini as a wallet

If you want to see more posts about Filofaxes and planners please see the index to those topics in my blog to the left of this post, and also I highly recommend you visit Philofaxy.

I had been after a Filofax in the mini size for a long time. I really wanted one to use as a wallet but Filofax does not appear to make the mini size anymore, with their smallest being the pocket. I finally discovered one that was not only new, but affordable, from Pen City So in December last year I ordered this gorgeous Filofax Topax mini, I think the colour is burgundy.

Beware there are a lot of photos in this post! I wanted to show you all how I use this Filofax and give you plenty of pictures that I am happy for you to 'Pinterest' or use for your own inspiration.

It is an ideal size for me to use as a wallet with the added advantage of having the rings for me to add clear plastic card holders and calendar and note pages.

I added some sticky notes I purchased from Kikki K and stuck them to a piece of card which I then hole punched and added to the rings.

I bought some clear card holder plastic inserts that are meant for a personal sized business card binder and cut them to fit the mini. Putting my store cards, bank account cards and discount cards in here meant that I can easily flip through my wallet to find the one I want. Additionally with cards that have bar codes, I do not even have to take them out of the plastic sleeves as I just flip the sleeve over to show the reverse of the card for the retailer to scan. I did not get a ruler with this Filofax so I cut down one from a personal sized organiser.

I cut down a cardboard pocket meant for a pocket sized organiser to use to stash my postage stamps and a small magnifier sheet.

I have inserted a small plastic zip pouch that was made for a pocket sized but actually works well in the mini with only a slight over hang at the top. In there I stash receipts and sometimes a coin that I get in change that is not valid currency here and nobody else will accept it!

In the front pockets I have my Medicare card (in Australia we have Government supplied health insurance called Medicare), the bank account card I use most often and my public transport card. There is a double sided opening slot in the front with the Filofax model information on it, I use that to put a paperclip in case i need one.

There is a zip pocket at the back of the Topaz where I store coins, but it cannot take too many so the overflow goes into my lilac coloured piggy bank! I have a small pen in the pen loop as well so I can write down notes or shopping reminders.

There is an open pocket along the back of the Filofax where I put bank note currency, (as opposed to coin currency, as not sure how to describe it.... polymer dollars??? )

I have been using the Filofax Topaz mini as a wallet for six months, and I am really pleased with it. The size is just right for me, it has all the pockets and inserts I need, and it is sturdy.

The leather is like faux crocodile texture and has a mottled burgundy and black colour. The only thing that I think would make it perfect, is if it was purple.....

Setting up my filofax Metropol A5

As you may have read in previous posts, I have a filofax, and i love it! Cherry red vinyl, large paper capacity, cool pockets, two pen loops..everything is great except for the filofax inserts.

So over the last few days, I have been creating my own templates, and making my own cardboard pocket inserts, and doing all sorts of things to my new filofax to make it work for me.

This is what I have so far, under the headings as i posted about in an earlier post, information; study; home; business; and ideas.

How do you personalise your organisers/filofax?

This is where I can stick sticky notes, or reminders , tickets, things i need to pay attention to, BEFORE i even get into my filofax. there are also some sticky notes attached to the ring binder, next to my dashboard so i can locate and use them easily! ________________________	Dashboard I needed a DASHBOARD for my filofax. A dashboard is like the central control of the filofax and is the first goto place for information. I created a 'don't forget' page on my computer, printed it on A5 paper, and then laminated it. (items can be stuck with washi tape and easily removed when no longer needed) __________________
Calender As i mentioned in my initial filofax post, I am not intending to usemy filofax as a replacement for my diary, so I do not need all the diary pages. I would, however, find it handy ot have a calender for the year as reference. I may need to know what date i next get paid on, for example, which is always a good day!	I created my own calender and printed it on A5 paper. There is one I have uploaded if you would like the page to print. __________________
Books I read a lot, and I also am studying as well as working full time. I would like a place to keep a record of books i want, need, have,.. so I designed a book list for myself and printed it on A5 paper. The template is available to download. __________________
	Dividers I do not like the vanilla manilla dividers provided by filofax, so i bought some lovely card making printed card stock, (A4) cut it in half, punched holes in it, and have some lovely gothic type divider paper!! __________________
Shopping List I want to be able to stash my basic goto grocery list somewhere handy, so I created a cutesy strawberry themed grocery list, printed it on A5 , punched holes in it, and have my very own shopping list pages!! __________________
	Pockets can't have too many pockets. I created this page by cutting two A5 pieces of card, lining and taping together with washi tape, then punching holes in it. Makes two pockets, looks good, and is useful!