As an author who writes by hand, it’s made a lot easier if we can have folders or compendiums to tuck our notebooks and paperwork into so we know where everything is.

I’ve been big on compendiums this year, finding several B5 sizes but not A4 which is what I need. I did manage to find a Filofax one from the op shop for $1.25 years ago. It was $80 in store so it was a bargain. But I need more, in different colours.

So, instead of spending $80 I went searching for alternatives and realised I could use old diary covers. I dug them all out and got rid of a few diaries and kept the covers.

A4s for my notebooks. And even if they can’t fit into the plastic I can still store the book in there and keep notes in the plastic pockets instead.

My old 2015 diary cover fits notebooks well and I’ll definitely keep using it. It even has a pen holder.

The smaller diary covers also fit notebooks well, and have the plastic pockets for notes.

What do you guys purpose around the house when you can’t find it in store or online?