How to Choose a Planner – Part 1

There are so many different types of planners it’s easy to become overwhelmed with choices.  Spiral/coil bound, discbound, Erin Condren, Happy Planner, Inkwell Press, Plum Paper, Simplified Planner, MTN, Day Designer, Filofax, Kikki k the list goes on and on. Here’s how to choose a planner just right for you.

How to choose a planner that’s right for you.

Here are a few things that you should take into account when choosing a planner.

• Your Budget. Can you afford a one off, big purchase once a year with a few small purchases to keep things fresh or a regular medium size spend?
• Size. Would you prefer something you can carry around in your bag planner or perhaps you would like a larger desktop/countertop planner?
• Time. If you are time poor a fully “done for you” planner that is already designed and setup with co-ordinating accessories is the one for you. With a little more time on your side a “blank slate” planner that you can customise yourself might be just what your looking for.
• Creativity. Are you into all the stickers, washi and pretty paper or do you just want to get it all down on paper so you stay on top of things?

Ring Binder

• Endless choices of inserts
• Fully customisable
• Make your own
• You can change layouts as often as you like
• Add and remove extras as you need them (going on holiday, add packing lists, maps etc. and then take them out when you come home)
• You need to hole punch pages to keep them secure. Paperclips or bull clips can work in an emergency.
• More equipment required, hole punch, paper, printer
• Things can get lost if you move your pages around too much
• Weight. The rings plus the cover itself can be quite heavy, even empty.
• Sometimes the rings get in the way of writing. (You can take the pages out to write on)

Arc/Discbound

All the points above except

• The arc hole punch is expensive. You can use a regular hole punch and clip the holes. This takes time.
• Doesn’t weight as much as a ring bound planner but you don’t have the protection ring bound planners give.
• You can make your own size if you like. Just purchase discs from MAMBI, Staples or other suppliers.

Spiral bound

• You are limited by what the makers think you need.
• Everything is in one place, no need for extra equipment
• Nothing gets lost.
• Need to re-write information from one year to the next (contacts birthdays etc).
• It ends. Last day of the year is it!
• Good for journaling, if that’s your style.

Join me for part 2, a rundown of notebook style planners.