Using a Filofax as a wallet

Janet Carr

11 years ago

This is one of the most frequent questions that come up. People generally ask which models or sizes are best.

I have been using a Filofax as a wallet for about 2 years now. I like it because it means one less thing to carry and to remember when I go anywhere. I have everything all in one place. Naturally this would mean a disaster if I lost it but I usually never go far away from it. I never store PIN numbers with cards or house keys AND my address for example and all sensitive information is in code or in shorthand.

Size

Personally, I would not recommend an A5 for a wallet. It is a big binder, and heavy. Not to mention probably fiddly and awkward to open with one hand while you are at the front of a queue full of impatient people who want you to pay and get out of there as soon as possible so they can pay and get out of there as soon as possible. And an A5 is big in your handbag. Naturally, if you drive everywhere, an A5’s size and weight will not be the issue it would be if you have to walk wherever you go.

Pocket size can be nice and small but they often do not have enough credit card pockets or writing space in the planner part. The ones with the full length back wallet pocket are great for use as wallets though.

Compact can be less bulky for use as a wallet, but the rings are way smaller than a personal so you will not be able to fit as much as a personal.

Personal can be a bit big for some people. It also all depends on how big your handbag is or where you need to carry it. Pocket and Slimline can fit in a jacket pocket. Personal will fit into a medium-large bag.

Zipped can be a bit slow to zip and unzip when paying for things and often the credit card pockets close to the zip are hard to get into and out of.

Requirements

a zippered pocket for coins. Gussetted is good but not many binders have them. If your planner does not have one, an option is one of the Filofax zippered clear plastic envelopes. However, the zip pulls on these tend to be big and often dent your pages and binder cover.
a secure slip pocket for paper money
lots of credit card slots. For me, horizontal credit card slots are the best choice
at least one other pocket for receipts, stamps, bits of paper
rings big enough for all inserts.
enough space on the paper to function properly as a planner
lay flatability
not a must but a ‘very nice to have’ is the full length back wallet pocket available in Gillio and Van Der Spek all sizes and Filofax pocket sizes.

If it is

too big,
too much wallet and not enough planner
too much planner and not enough wallet
too fiddly to get into and out of

you are not going to use it. You will start to leave it home when you don’t absolutely have to have it and then you are going to need something when you don’t have it with you and then you will give up.

Recommendations:

Medium Gillio Mia Cara in Purple