In an effort to “Get my life together in 2017”, I decided to join the planner movement. New Year, new planner right??? Michelle and I talked about this on Episode 3 of our Podcast, where we discussed our lackluster efforts with time management. Time management is so important and should be a priority. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Try implementing this on a daily basis!
I have tried so many things to stay organized over the years. Daytimers (remember those?), steno pads, my tablet, too many apps to name, and more recently my phone. I decided, after much research to try using a planner. I came across The Happy Planner and fell in love.
The Happy Planner is a product created by Me & My Big Ideas (MAMBI for short). It is a company created and run by Women, located in Lake Forest, CA. I came across several different brands of planners, including Erin Condren, and also found a few off brands on Amazon. I had no idea when choosing this planner that there are “groupies” and Instagram hashtags for people to show off their planner skills! I even joined a group of over 29 THOUSAND members on Facebook!
What won owe over with The Happy Planner, is the fact that they are customizable. You can buy various add-on packs, notepads, and pocket pages. Most planners are spiral bound and cannot be changed. Also, the price point for MAMBI planners is very affordable. Michaels and Hobby Lobby, both sell the planners and accessories. Don’t even get me started on the wide range of accessories! Michaels recently had these products on sale, and with the additional coupons available, you could get a 12 or 18-month planner for as low as $7.99 to $13.99!
The planners even come with inspirational themes. The cover that caught my eye said: “This is your Year”. This is something that I have been saying to myself, so it was only natural that i chose this for my everyday planner. Each monthly tab has a great quote, as well as snippets of affirmations on the bottom of the daily pages.
For 2017,I decided to purchase 3 planners (I also bought a mini planner for my Daughter). The large size will be used exclusively for my office, one for everyday use that I will carry with me, and the other exclusively for our household, and my personal budgeting.
I know having 3 planners sounds quite daunting (trust me, i feel it too), but i felt that having a purpose for each will help me keep these things separate, while still remaining organized.
So today, I poured a glass of wine, and my Daughter and I had a “planner party”. It was fun, and a great for us to have some bonding time.
I hope that investing in, and using these products will help me achieve my goal of “organization” for the new year. I am determined to get myself together this year, one sticker at a time!
How do you organize your time? Planners? Bullet Journaling? Good old fashion pen & paper ?
Until next time…..
Crystal
These look adorable. I’m actually in the market for a new planner but I haven’t found one I like yet. I will definitly be checking these out. Thank you.
Hi Jessi! Thank you for stopping by! You will love them. Check out their webpage for great tips and ideas! Don’t forget those Michael’s coupons! 🙂 http://www.meandmybigideas.com/create365-thehappyplanner/
I used to be a bit of a planner-a-holic. Then I spent the money for a nice leather Franklin 3-ring deal and used that for years, but it was too bulky to carry on a regular basis, and the choices limited. I’ll have to check out MAMBI though. Anything to help me get back on a schedule and stay on it. I tend to make lists which I then ignore. lol
Hi Lisa…. i’m so glad to hear of others with the same problems as myself… I am horrible with lists, etc. I had several Daytimers over the years… I’m really crossing my fingers this time!!
THanks. I needed a good rec for a new planner. CHecking them out as I type.
Happy planning.
Hi Deborah! Thanks for stopping by! Keep me posted on your progress and if you were able to find one!
These look great, but three sounds ambitious, at least for me. I am glad to hear you are doing it with your daughter. That sounds like fun and good motivation too. Good luck to you!
Hi Shari! Yes, i was a little ambitious with my coupons… This weekend, I’m going to try to plan in all of them at the same time…. TRY i say!! 🙂
I am a planner addict. Honestly, I’d have loads of them each year – I’m trying to streamline a little bit. But loved this post!
Thank you so much Andrea!! Please share your tips!!! 🙂
This is my first Planner year as well, and I’m excited to see how it helps me stay on track! Thanks for sharing, I’ll have to check this one out also.
Hi Callie! Thanks for stopping by!! Good luck to you…. keep me posted on your progress!
I just started with a planner and honestly, I feel like I’m working on the planner as much as I’m working on the stuff “on” the planner. LOL 🙂
LOL Dawn!!! That is sooo true!!!! That’s why I’m TRYING to keep my decorating to a minimum..keyword…trying…. LOL
I just got a Happy Planner, too!!! I really love it, so far! 🙂
Hi Abbey! New Year…New Us!! Thanks for stopping by!!
Nothing like a shiny new planner . . .or three!!! I have a total addiction to planners and journals.
Hi there! Yes!! 3 !! What was i thinking??? I’ll post pics of my progress, maybe next month… Hopefully the pages won’t be blank!!
I really need to do this. I have got to either get organized or accept that I will leave this earth without ever getting that skill.
Erin Condren is my GO-TO! I am a live-and-breath by my planner girl, and I LOVE having everything written down!
-Taylor
Hi Taylor! You go girl!!! Please share some tips and planner pics! I could use the inspiration!
planning is the only way for me to organise now I’m in my late 40’s and hitting the menopausal brain fog too! I discovered the bullet journal method late in 2016 but will take a look at these, thanks for sharing.
Hi Amanda! Trust me, you aren’t the only one with the 40’s brain fog…. That is why I am hoping I can commit to planning! I have post it notes EVERYWHERE!!!
I love planners. And have this one as well. Happy planning!
Hi Jen! Thanks for stopping by! Happy Planning to you as well!
Hi Jen! This really was my favorite out of all of them, and i really loved the black, gold, and white color scheme….. Do you have a lot of accessories?
I need a new planner! I used EC last year but this year I’m not putting that much money into planner. I’ll be checking this out!
Hi Kristie! Thanks for commenting! Yes, i researched so many different ones, and I couldn’t justify spending almost $50.00 on the planner alone!! You will love The Happy Planner!! So affordable!!Use those Michael’s coupons! I went today (for something unrelated lol) and they have a coupon for 50% off!!!
For my blog, I’ve been using Trello a lot, but I love using a paper planner for the rest of my life. I’ve started bullet journaling lately and it seems to be going well!
We talked about bullet journaling on the podcast…funny episode… thats something i want to incorporate in my planning this year!!
I had a Happy Planner last year. I didn’t like that the pages could come out. That was really frustrating. This year I went with the Brilliant Life Planner and I love it!! I use simple bullet journaling in it, and I love that it has sections for memories, gratitude, people to enourage, goal making worksheets, and project planners. It is perfect for anyone with a small business, or two. 🙂
New stickers are coming out in March!!!!