Organizer Fever

"I need a new planner."  It's not true, but I keep telling myself that it is.  Right now, I'm using a small binder to carry with me and a normal-sized binder to keep reference info.  Now that I'm rather largely pregnant, I don't carry more than my wallet and the small binder.  The bigger binder gets left in the car a lot, unless I'm sitting in a waiting room somewhere-- then I get it out and pay bills, plan menus, etc.  Honestly, even when I'm using the bigger binder, I still leave it in the car and just take what I need out of it.

In my small binder, I have: membership cards a pocket to keep my to-do's a wish list MPG tracking sheet for my car packing lists blank pages for recipes reference prices for stock-pile shopping pet info monthly calendar week-on-one-page calendar address book

In the bigger binder, I have: cleaning lists master menu freezer inventory financial goals gift ideas and gifts bought schedules for schools, soccer, church, volunteering, hubby's sports, etc  monthly calendar list of pregnancy-approved meds

I want a better system.  I need a better system.  I end up moving stuff from the big binder to the smaller to make it more "handy", then my stuff is all over the place or cramped in my tiny binder.  I like the A5 size binder - because it is really easy to make your own pages, but it's half the size of a standard binder.  There's enough room to write, but it doesn't require a tote bag to carry it around.  It seems to be a nice hybrid of what I'm using now.

And, of course, I want a purple one.  It has to be pretty or I won't use it regularly.

This is my dream binder.   

The Filofax A5 Finchley in Imperial Purple.  It's the bigger, purple version of what I use as my small binder.  The leather is so soft and luxurious.  And, of course, it's purple.  But, it's ridiculously expensive and it's not available in the US --so, as much as I love it, I won't pay to have it shipped from Italy.


So these are the candidates:

Day Runner Terramo Planner

Filofax Domino Organizer

Both are, of course, purple.
Both are size A5.
Both have credit card pockets.
Both have a notepad spot in the back.

Both have a closure of some sort.

The Day Runner Terramo: -is closer in design to the Filofax Finchley (pictured above) -has a big pocket on the inside to keep loose papers or even a small notebook -comes with a notepad -is the exact planner Mom has, so I can actually hold it and see if I would like it -doesn't have a "secure" closure (it seems like the tab would easily slide open if I stuffed the binder)  My mom confirms that the sliding tab stays shut and even allows for the binder to be stuffed fuller than a snap closure would.

The Filofax Domino: -is a Filofax.. I'm partial to Filofaxes -has two pockets on the inside to keep loose papers -does not come with a notepad -is not sold in stores, so I can't go see one before I buy it (though, there are many blog reviews of the A5 Domino) -has a secure closure that would hold lose papers - even on the outside cover of the binder (ie. shopping lists).

I can find them for around the same price.  The Filofax seems to run a bit more expensive most of the time, unless a good deal appears on eBay.

Help me decide!!  Vote in the comments :o)

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