The does-it-all Malden

Jordan 17 Comments

Most of you already know that I’m a bit of a Filofax oddball, in that I only own TWO Filofaxes. I started with my Slate Domino, and about six months later I purchased my personal Crimson Malden, where I’ve been happily ever since (for over a year now!). Yes, I’m temped by other binders, but never enough to splurge on one when the Malden suits my lifestyle so well.

Some of you may also know that the Malden is also sort of my wallet (or purse, for those of you across the pond). I say sort of because while I keep all of my cards, coupons, etc. in the Malden, I’ve never really carried cash or change. Instead, I use a simple little clutch…

This has always been annoying to me- if I need to pop into a store I must bring both items (if I have any cash, at least!) But, I never could get along with the tiny zip pocket in the Malden for coins, plus it is home to rogue paper clips and bandages. I thought about putting my Filofax zip lock envelope back in, but the zipper on the darn thing is so huge, plus I am already running terribly low on ring space.

Hmmm… running low on ring space. That brought me back to my back-and-forth love/hate relationship with my Franklin Covey Swingpad. I love the thing because it is simply so cool and convenient:

However, it takes up some serious ring real estate. I was finding myself not using it nearly as much as I originally did, instead opting for sticky notes or scrap paper. And when I did use it, I didn’t even really use it- I just left it in its “tucked in” position which renders its awesomeness completely useless.

I got to thinking. Then, after seeing Sandra and Alison’s awesome pocket Maldens at our recent meet up, I was really determined to make the full Malden-wallet happen. Since I have a bunch of Staples Rewards dollars built up, I stopped in this morning and grabbed these guys:

I liked that they didn’t have the giant zipper sticking out like the Filofax brand ones do, instead they are basically a more durable Ziplock bag. I was a bit nervous about how well they’d keep the coins in, but so far so good!

The goal is to keep cash and coins in this pocket, but we’ll see how bulky it gets. I usually don’t carry very much cash on me, but if it gets to be too crowded I can easily slip bills in one of the front pockets instead. I haven’t had any real life tests yet, but it seems like the coins will also be pretty easy to access when at the checkout line.
I also am totally loving how it lays relatively flat in the Malden since the zipper is pretty much flush with the rest of the envelope.
It’s hard to tell from the photos, but I placed this new addition in the front of my binder right behind my top opening envelope with all of my nerdy sentimental keepsakes in it. I also put the zipper to the left, as it somehow seemed to flow better (even though I’m right handed). 
So, the Swingpad has been booted in favor of making my Malden an even more useful item in my daily life. We’ll see how long it lasts, but right now I’m loving it. Plus, even though I originally got rid of my notepad in the back slot because that’s where I keep all my stickers, I realized today that a notepad still fits, I just keep the stickers behind it. A win-win, I’d say.
Well, that’s what’s going on in my nerdy little corner of the internet. Filo users- do any of you use your personal binder as a wallet/purse? If so, where do you store cash and coin? You know I’ll keep you updated as to how this little experiment works out 🙂

Jordan

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17 Comments

  1. My ancient ostrich personal is both wallet and and life-keeper all in one place. I use the Filofax zip lock pouch for my cash, and a plastic business card holder holds my credit cards and license. (My ostrich doesn't have card slots built into the inner cover like most of the ones from recent years.) I have been using my Filo as all-in-one wallet/life-keeper for three or four months now, and I find it really works great for me. No plans to change it up any time soon. Hope you have good luck with it, too!

  2. Ah, yes- you're lovely ostrich! I can only hope my Malden looks as well loved someday!

    Glad to hear the wallet/life-keeper system is working for you- hopefully it works for me as well!

  4. Yes, I just read your post the other day! Yay for making our Filos work for us 🙂

  5. Agree with you on how the zip on the Filo zip-lock bag is huge. I have a pocket-sized one in my Slimline, and it's creating a dent in the leather at the back. I'm living with it for now, but I need another one real soon or the Slimline will have a permanent pock-mark. I'll need to get one of those real soon.

  6. Thanks so much for this blog post! I saw those pouches at Staples and thought about using them for coins/bills in my Filo but wasnt sure how that would work out. Now thanks to you, I know! 🙂

  7. Nice to see that I'm not the only one using those dayrunner pouches. I use one in the front of my personal malden to hold business cards. Keeps them clean and flat. I'm considering downsizing to a pocket and wonder if dayrunner makes a pouch that would fit that size as well. Might need to do some shopping.

  8. I also agree about the Filofax zip being huge & these are so much better. I'm going to look round the house for any spare ones that you squeeze the top to close & see if it'll hole punch OK 🙂

  9. I am back in my personal crimson malden… I just love the feel and the colour. Not brave enough to use it as my only wallet though…. is it working?

  10. Do it! I'm still loving it- and Staples had a two pack for pretty cheap!

  11. You're welcome! I was really worried about the coins, but I usually don't carry too many and so far, so good!

  12. Hmmm, I only saw these ones in store, but I wasn't really looking for anything smaller since I just have a personal. Good luck!

  13. Yeah, I've seen a few people use regular old Zip Lock bags! I almost did, but I wanted something a bit more sturdy- these aren't indestructible but I have a feeling they'll last longer than a zippy bag!

  14. It is! I was really worried, but I'm totally loving it. Especially when I have to run out the door for a quick errand- I just grab my Filo, keys, and go! No more worrying about having the Filo for cards, wallet for cash, etc.

  15. I realize this is an older thread, but just to let you know that Sanrio has pocket sized zip bags as well as calendars and other planner accessories in pocket size. I found them looking for Snoopy calendars/diaries on Amazon. The Snoopy notepaper and calendar pages are really cute, and it's punched correctly for my pocket Malden. I went ahead and got them even though 2012 is half over.

  16. Great post!! This is my #1 dilemma, and have been bouncing between a personal and pocket size Malden, in what I call The Grand Wallet/Planner Experiment. 😉 Currently in pocket, which is OK because my bag is much lighter, but I miss the space of personal. Perhaps I can make my personal work again, if I cull just down to the essentials, and use the zip pouch you have (I have several of these – I agree about the Filofax brand one. The zipper is convenient to use, but way too bulky).

    I love your blog, and your "One Filofax" series is really getting me thinking lately…..

  17. I thought i just entered a long comment, but it didn't post. :-/

    Anyway, what I'd typed was that I've been bouncing btwn pocket & personal size Malden in what I call The Great Wallet/Planner Experiment. I really don't want to carry separate wallet & planner in my purse if I can help it. Currently in the pocket size, but since I miss the space of my personal, I may use the DayRunner envelope as my cash system, as you have (I have several of them). I like the Filofax zipper envelopes for opening & closing convenience, but agree that the huge zipper really just bulks things up.

    I've noticed with my Maldens that you really have to be disciplined about keeping bulk to a minimum, and carrying just what you really need, because they're so stuffable. My personal size quickly became way too heavy, so I switched to pocket. My bag is now much lighter, but I miss the writing space, so….. 🙂

    I'm also loving your 'One Planner' series. It's really gotten me thinking. I just posted on the Facebook Philofaxy group about it, and linked that blog post! It's stimulated quite a discussion. Thank you for sharing your fabulous thoughts!

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