The Planner Craze!

Hey everyone!  Do you use a "planner" of some kind -- a Filofax, Erin Condren, Franklin Covey or any one of the other popular brands out there?  I do and have since the 70's (okay, don't call me old -- I'm just very mature and have been around the block a few times) when my children were in grade school, and I was one of the few "stay-at-home Moms."  Being in that small and very select group meant I was the chief volunteer for everything that went on in the school -- PTA President, room mother for both kids, Chair for all fundraisers, cookie baker for all parties.....well, you get the picture.  Of course, this was on top of keeping up with Scouts, soccer, piano lessons....whew, I truly had a full-time job that I did not get monetarily paid for, but I did it for my children.  I was involved in so many things that I knew I had to have a way to keep it all organized.  I bought my first planner at that time, and it was not much more than a small notebook to which I had added a calendar; but it saved my bacon many times.  This was kind of the start of my OCD about being organized.  I discovered that I REALLY liked having a place to write all this "stuff" down & even started taking some classes on being more organized.  As I got more into this organization thing, my "planner-needs" grew, and they continued to grow as my children got older, and I joined the ranks of "Moms working outside the home."

Over the next few years, I went through numerous planners, then Daytimers, & then entered the world of Franklin Covey.  Now these were not cheap, but once I found the binder that I liked, I had it for about ten+ years.  I simply replaced the calendar inserts every year.  I was running a small business at the time, so my FC was by my side at all times.

Then came the electronic planner.  Wow, no more lugging around the big leather-bound tome.  All well and good, right?  It was okay, but I needed that connection with pen and paper and scratching things off my list.  So, for a while, I was actually using both types of planners.  Well, if you've taken any classes on organization, the first rule is to have "one" place for everything, so I chose my old standard paper & pen.

Life had changed, still running a business, but scaled back, so I didn't feel the need for my old faithful Franklin Day Planner.  I was really feeling the need to have pages and sections geared to my life specifically, so I decided to create my own.

I bought one of these plain little 7x9 binders with the clear plastic cover that allowed you to insert your own graphics, photos, or scrapbook paper to make it your own.  I did a bit of embellishing and used this for a good 7 to 8 years.  Got my money's worth out of this little $3.99 notebook!

After I retired, I didn't think I needed a planner any more, but was really lost without some kind of schedule.  The Man thinks I'm kind of crazy, well, a whole lot crazy; but I just function better with plans.  A couple of years ago, I read about ..........

Wunderlist 

It's free unless you want the professional version and can be set up to completely meet your specific needs.  I have this set up with all my "To-Do's " and when they need to be done, all the stores that I frequent with an ongoing list for each one (including grocery stores), plus weekly menu plans -- really just about anything you want to keep track of is available.  And the added plus is that it syncs to all of your devices -- laptop, iPad, iPhone, or any of the other brands as well.  So when I'm out and about and find myself close to a Michael's Store, I just open Wunderlist to my Michael's page and know immediately what I needed to pick up there.  I use it all the time for grocery shopping, too.

This is all well and good, but for this "pen and paper" obsessed person, I still need some kind of planner and decided to unearth my old 7x9 binder.  It was looking rather worn, so I thought I would simply purchase another plain white one and decorate it myself. Off to Staples I went.  Well, right next to the plain and simple were the prettier versions that were still less than $5.  YAY!  Just take a look at the goodies I bought.......

My new binder is right there under the Martha Stewart Tear Drops -- my favorite color, too!

I blame Pinterest because I couldn't just leave the binder as is, I had to embellish a

 bit & add a closure.  I don't really have a need to close it, but this was just such a cute idea!

I love that the entire binder is covered in a heavy plastic and has a pocket inside the front & back covers.  I keep just a few things tucked or stuck on this cover that I can use to call attention to a specific page in my binder.

If you follow my blog, you know my "word" for the year is "SIMPLIFY," so I added it where I can see it all the time as a reminder.

Inside my binder you will find monthly dividers which I have had & used for a good ten years.

I printed my own monthly calendar pages.

I really love daily pages and found this Free download from Judy at Contented at Home.  It works pretty well for my needs & is available in a half-page size.  I simply print them as needed.  To keep my binder from getting too bulky, I run on a 3-month set up -- just past, current & next (right now I have Jan/Feb/Mar).

After my monthly sections, I took some Avery dividers & my label maker & created sections that work for me.

 Blog -- here I simply made up a sheet that works for my simple blogging needs.

Everyday -- this is my family section but also has some subsections, too,

Like these pages I made for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and......

Special events like Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, Family Reunions, etc.

My Home is where I keep any and all ideas for decorating our home or DIY's we are working on.  I even have a subsection for Christmas 2014!

Hobbies is just that -- ideas for cards, scrapbooking, crochet, sewing, quilting, etc., etc., etc.!

This last section is where I keep a list of websites, usernames & passwords.

I made up my own sheet for this.  Now, just so you know, my binder never leaves the house.  I use Wunderlist when I am out, so my binder stays right on my desk next to my computer.  If I carried it with me, I probably would not include this section in the binder.

I also have one of these pocket pages in each section.  You just never know when you might run across a picture of something you want to remember or an article you want to share.

I added one of these thick rubber bands on the back cover as a place to hold a pen & some extra clips.    Well, there you have it.  My Staples stash cost less than $20, and I've ended up with quite a nice little planner.  It certainly suits my needs, and I've really enjoyed sharing my ideas with all of you.  I would be very interested to hear what your ideas are about planners and whether you use one or not.

I may do another post about how I organize my week and keep track of my "To-Do's."  Being retired doesn't mean I sit around eating bon bons and watching tv all day!

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share my life with you!

I may be partying with some of these fine bloggers this week:

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons for One Project at a Time

Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow

Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday

Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday