I don't use a physical tickler at all. I either use iCal to put things that are date specific or I use my Mail.app tickler file.

That's my main rule. If it works, stick with it.

I use a similar system, and mail.app/MailTags/iCal, I would definitely get lost in 43 folders (with all due respect for the site, which is Great)

I don't think Merlin even uses the 43 folder tickler file. It's just a catchy name. :)

Ah yes. Falling behind on the tickler does wonders for one's self-esteem. That's why I had to give it up--it induced too many feelings of guilt.

As others have said, what counts is whether it works for you - i.e., gets things off your mind.

That said, I think the tickler *functionality* is crucial for just about everyone. That said, if the # of items in your tickler system is low, or if you don't like managing it every day, there are alternatives.

If using a tickler file: Create the 43 folders as described elsewhere, or buy an all-in-one "sorter" file, e.g., the Staples EveryDay Letter Size File & Sorter, 1-31 & Jan-Dec (Item 422683) or the "Everyday File" from Globe-Weis.

If not, use the "calendar/holding file" technique (as Stephanie Winston calls it) - more in Some common GTD questions, with answers

I used a real 43 folders system for a couple of months but I ended up discarding it when I only had about three bills and a few index cards with "buy mommo a present" stuck in. Just not enough material to warrant the added complexity.

Instead, I just write things into my Moleskine weekly planner. If I need to remember a gift, I write in "buy a gift for soandso" on the day when I should pay attention to it. This goes against the GTD principal of never putting non-date specific items into a calendar but I think this is useful enough without cluttering up a weekly planner. One shouldn't put action items in that should be done at another time, but a reminder is ok and a lot easier than 43 folders.

I'm on my second attempt at starting up a tickler file. I abandoned it the first time (a year or so ago) because I couldn't develop the habit of checking it every day. But I just listened to GTD Fast and got inspired to try again. In it, DA suggests sprinkling $20 bills randomly to reward faithfulness to the system!

As of today, I'm trying a new idea: I have just taped a sign that says "Tickler file" to the bottom of my inbox. I figure I'm already in the habit of emptying my inbox every day, so that's the perfect place to put a reminder.

Hope it works this time.

I have a sort of daily to-do list so if I need to remember something I add it to that. At the end of the day I transfer stuff that I havn't done yet to the next day's to-do list and so on, until it comes to the day I need to complete the item and tick it off. If i get a bill on Monday and want to pay it off on Friday I just keep transfering it each day to a new to-do list until Friday

I just set up a 9-folder Tickler. Sun-Sat, Next Week, Beyond Next Week. I haven't had much of a chance to apply it yet, as I just moved and my life and things are in serious flux. I'll be dumping my inboxes and cleaning up pretty soon, and I'll report on how it goes. My previous tickler was the canonical 43 folders, and it was an absolute chore to deal with: too many empty folders!