Do You Keep An Address Book?

We've given up our traditional address book and we're wondering if you have too? Or if you use a different method since we are all trying to be as paperless as possible. Click through the jump to see how we keep track of things, even if it sometimes fails us. Let us know your tricks for remembering such things after the jump...

This past week we were in need of some family addresses. Typically, such things are filed away in our Gmail so we can merely search for the emails (that we send to ourselves for just this reason) that contain the information we are looking for. We do this with birthday's, phone numbers, addresses and doctor information. It's nice to have it all at hand with a few quick keystrokes, until your search comes up empty handed like ours did this week, when we had to *gasp* pick up the phone and call someone to find out the addresses we needed.

The address book above the jump can be found in the Beth Bee Books Etsy store. There are several designs that are cute enough to make us have one hanging around just in case our Gmail method ever fails us!

Do you keep an address book? Have a different method? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Comments (17)

I keep all contact info on gmail, even if I don't have an email address for someone.

I double up. I keep everything on my computer, but also have a nice little address book. This way, I don't have to wait for my computer to turn on or wake up and sign on to gmail and search and click around when I just want a phone number or to address a letter. It's a nice little address book that will last me many years. I only write in pencil so I can make changes as people move. I guess I just don't like the idea of being completely reliant on my computer, plus I can take the address book wherever I go, if I so desire.

I've been using a flip open rolodex for years. Some people move a lot, and after crossing through old addresses, reversing their card, I can still start a new card for them, and toss their old one. I can also slip in business cards.

I definitely still use the rolodex at work. I have those little plastic stickers that you can attach to the bottom of a business card and just pop it in the rolodex. It's just way faster to flip through there if I know what I'm looking for than any other method.

Personal addresses, however, migrated from the Palm to the Palm Treo, and are backed up on my home computer.

I create Excel Spreadsheets -- at least for things like mailing addresses.

i stick with a book. i'm not losing all that info to a computer crash or forgetting to backup before re-installing software.

computer file and rolodex. The email contact though is a very good idea-I'll switch to it.

I have an address book for most of my important addresses and contact info. When I'm sending cards or thank you notes, I don't want to have to turn on my computer. But I also have an Access database with all the contact info for other friends, extended family, etc. that's left over from wedding planning and is a good resource.

index cards in a box. I often record information like phone numbers, faxes (I use it for work too), email, websites, etc. Any one format doesn't really work for me since there is a lot of non standard information.

I created a spreadsheet in my Google Docs (along with so many other important documents).

Very, very useful when you want to access your contacts from a dodgy internet "café" in India.

Oh, no, no! I'm returning to paper for a few reasons. No. 1, I have resolved in 2009 to generate more snail mail. Yes, yes, I'm all for greening my lifestyle, but I also know that without at least occasional snail mail, there will be no family memorabilia for the next generation. No Granny's love letters, no excited reaction to a proposal of marriage or a long-awaited promotion. And No. 2, if you've ever had your hard drive wiped, you've learned not to rely solely on it or any other electronic storage device. I'm slowly rebuilding my paper address book and loving every minute of it. It feels cozy and right somehow in these stressful times.

I use a good old fashion address book. I also write in pencil so I can change addresses when people move. I keep my stamps, return address labels and cute stickers in it as well for quick use when I am sending thank you cards or letters. It is very similar to the one my mother had when I was little so it makes me think of her everytime I use it.

I keep an address book and a rolodex. Keeping an electronic file only lays you wide open for a computer crash or other data disaster.

I enter in everyone as a contact in my hotmail account even if I don't have an email address for them. When I have a big list of people to send things to for the holidays or other events I can go in and make a new mailing list. I go through and add everyone I want to send to and then print the list. Everyones' address is there when it prints out and I can just check them off as I go. Also later I can use the list as a reference in the event that I'm not sure if I sent someone an invite/card or not. I also printed up a hard copy of all my contacts and I keep it in a folder at home, just in case.

I agree with Signe, I keep handwritten one in pencil, had my computer crash and lost all of my info, so much easier to flip open to what I need....also handwrite addresses, do not use To: labels...

I have the Moleskine address book and love it. I bought it before I studied abroad so that I could always have access to addresses. I still carry it with me and absolutely love being able to access addresses without needing to be at the computer. It also lets me write notes and send cards from anywhere.

I keep everything in gmail (even if it's not someone I ever email with).

I also bought an address file (like a better rolodex) from Etsy & have hard copies filed away in there now. I use the file for a lot more than addresses though, so it's not there just for that.