Build Your Own Planner

Materials used:

·         Zipper binder ($4.50 WM clearance!)

·         Pack of 12 folders ($5.99, Hobby Lobby)

·         Free downloads from Day Designer.com

·         28lb paper for daily docket (Office Depot, paid with gift card)

·         32lb cardstock for monthly calendar (Office Depot, paid with gift card)

·         Silicone supply case ($3.99, Staples)

·         Business Card pages ($5.59, Staples, for multiple projects)

·         Looseleaf hole reinforcement stickers

·         Planner stickers ($3.99, WM)

Quite simply, I cut the folders in half, to have 24 tabbed dividers, then used a paper cutter to trim them to size.  Punch holes in them and you get customized divider tabs.  I reinforced the punched holes with looseleaf hole reinforcement stickers.

Day Designer not only makes spiffy planners, they offer free downloads of about any planner page type you can think of.  I downloaded the blank monthly calendar, 1-page a day and 2-pages per week package, the meal planner, and shopping list pages.  I printed 18 months’ worth of blank monthly calendar pages on the 32 lb cardstock, and about 100 pages worth of 1-page a day on the 28 lb paper.   Punch holes and put to the side.

I organized my tabs and used a label maker to make the labels.  I put my monthly calendar first, then the daily docket, then everything else I need to manage: kids, pets, health, home, blog… I used up 15 of my 24 tabs.  The little details:

·         Alternated patterns of tabs – polka dots and stripes are very Kate Spade

·         Put key documents in sheet protectors

·         Put a few business card pages in the Contacts section for important contacts (insurance agency, financial planner, doctors)

·         Include a well-made supply case for office supplies.

o    Include post-it notes, flags, scissors, tape and a sharpie or two, in addition to standard pens and pencils

·         A few notecards and stamps round out the stationery, kept in a page protector sleeve.

Now for the most important bit, the actual monthly planning.  I grabbed my collection of sharpies and filled out 18 months of calendar, through March 2022.  I know, 2020 has taught us that the future is always in flux, and the best laid plans are always tentative.  Therefore, events that are not “set in stone” are written in pencil.

Among the things written in ink:

·         Holidays

·         Children’s school calendars

·         Professional Licensure dates

·         Payment due dates

·         Appointments

·         Sporting event fixtures (for DVR setting)

·         Pageant events (for DVR setting)

Usually I color code my calendar by event type, and mark paydays with star stickers.

I keep my work notebook in the front pocket. The daily page, weekly two pages, and meal plan are kept at the front of the tabs for easy access.  The daily page is dedicated to schedule, work tasks, and notes.  The weekly two pages are the “to-do” list for the week.  I dedicate each day of the week to a particular set of tasks, like blogging, career development, home maintenance, family fun, etc.  And there you have it, my self-built planner/portable office, how I integrate work and life.