Today’s question is from Heather:
I am looking for a planner/organizer that does it ALL — calendar, shopping lists, menu planner, to-do lists, goals, etc. Can you recommend one? -Heather
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I use Evernote for everything. Calendar, Home management binder, grocery price list, menus, recipes, etc. Everything!
COZI calendar does it all online, and has a great app that syncs across devices. I have friends who love it and highly recommended it. It didn’t work for me {my brain didn’t like the layout}, but it’s worth a try. Completely free too.
I found a great one at Walmart for this year. The pink color and side-bind is what caught my attention. When I opened it, I instantly knew it was perfect. The days are vertical, the whole week on a two-page horizontal spread, with a notes column at the end of the week. On the month view, the month is on one of the pages and the opposing page is a chore page (Do, Call, Buy columns). At the end of the binder is contact pages, a shopping list area over a two-page spread (very handy), party planning, travel planning, grocery shopping planning, and lots of open note-taking pages for journaling or whatever. Only $8 at Walmart. I always use a four-color click pen to do my calendars. I’m black (also family general), my husband green, my son blue, and daughters red. Makes the calendar easy to view and understand.
I offer a printable kit in my Etsy shop that includes all of these! etsy.com/shop/soseworganized if you are interested! =)
I use the planner found at theconfidentmom.com. I found it through this site. Thank you Crystal:) It was super cheap, I printed it all out, then took it to Staples to have a binding put on it which cost around $4.00. Love it beyond words! Keeps me running like a well-oiled machine. Go check it out!
I received a planner from PaperCoterie when they first introduced them. Its got tons of space for writing notes, a big enough space for multiple events on any day and an open page (both sides) for tons of things with the headings; to do list, favorite moments, a funny thing happened, 10 things I am grateful for and ramblings, and yet more to write notes. The biggest plus? I can customize it with pics of my kids for every single month. Love seeing those little faces throughout my day!
I finally ended up making my own, too. After years of frustration because nobody’s planner worked for my life, I discovered the free printables here on this website and others. They were cute, colorful, and perfect. If you google up “free printable (whatever),” you can find a form to suit almost every need. My customized planner ended up being a nice, leather-like three-ring binder, with free printable calendars, yearly goal forms, individual goal forms, music practice charts, menu planning forms, a legal pad, and lots more. I keep everything in page protectors just so the pages don’t tear out. I’ve been using the same planner for a couple years now, and wouldn’t change a thing. It was free (except for the notebook and page protectors), and it has been the only thing I’ve ever found that does everything I need.
Have you checked out the Beautiful Life Managment system from Grace Works? I really like it and it covers all the areas you were asking about. It was designed by a mom of 7 and is well laid out. http://www.hisgraceworks.com
I never found one that I liked enough to use all year – so I finally made my own and I love it! I created a template in Publisher, printed it on half pages and found a small binder at Staples for the half pages. It’s great! I did the same thing with my homeschool planner – couldn’t find something that was just right, so I mixed and matched until I came up with what I want and then had it spiral bound at Staples for just a few bucks! It’s amazing how much better it works when you decide what you really need!
I won a Chaos Simplified Life Planner in a giveaway. It has been a great resource. Each weekly sheet has ample space to write appointments, includes sections for “to do list”, “phone calls to make”, “notes”, “daily priorities” and even a spot to mark off water consumption. It is also filled with inspiring quotes and scripture. It also has replaceable notepads for “monthly menu plans” “gotta pick up” , “art of juggling” “important tasks” & “dreams & doodles”
http://chaossimplified.com/
chaossimplified@live.com
Our family uses Cozi. There is a free version available through Flylady.net. The free version has ads on the bottom and Flylady tasks on the calendar. It has a calendar you can customize so each family member is assigned a color, it has shopping lists, to-do lists, etc.
Several have said they make their own planners. I would love to do that, but I’m not sure how to even start. What software are you using? Do you have to put in all the dates etc. manually or have you figured out how to do that automatically?
I love my Well Planned Day Planner from HEDUA. It has to-do list & appointments, menu, financial pages each month, monthly notes, grocery list, and lots more. I wrote a post about it here: http://thriftyhomemaking.com/my-binders-and-planner/
I also use the TimeKeeper, and am about to buy one for the fourth year in a row. It is flexible but has a spot for everything – the perfect balance to help me try to stay organized.
COZI!!! Love it. But only if you have a smart phone. Otherwise printing to take things with you would be a pain. I do keep a small pad of paper and pen with me b/c I think better with pen and paper!
I love Sue Hooley’s Vision Daily Planner. I used Erin Condren’s the previous year (which was so cute) but it didn’t have enough space for goals and related tasks/projects. It also has a space to jot dinner down for each day of the week something that I felt was missing from Erin’s planner.
Sue’s gave me plenty of space to manage my dad’s chemo treatments, doctor’s notes, manage my own home, tear off shopping lists in the back and complete sections for projects. I tracked making my granddaughter’s christening gown, my dad’s care, Christmas 2013, a Very Small Closet wardrobe list, DH’s sizes, my weight loss, etc. I still have plenty of room for more projects. This post made me realize I need to order next year’s planner and I found it on Amazon.
I’m not a sales rep for Vision but I’m in love with this planner. It’s slightly smaller than the Erin Condren and costs much much less.
http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Planner-2014-Sue-Hooley/dp/193267683X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375927010&sr=8-1&keywords=vision+daily+planner+2014
I use the Franklin / Covey planner. These were super popular in the 90’s, and my husband bought one for me as a mother’s day gift. At the time I had 2 kids under 2, and I thought, how will I even be able to fit this in the diaper bag ( I had stopped carrying a purse earlier that year). Anyway, those girls are now 21 and 23 and I still use the Franklin/ covey planner. I have binder and buy refills each year. And those refills have changed over the years. I also use the planner as my wallet- has credit cards, licence, $ etc. There are many forms you can buy to customize and even print your own custom forms. Avalaible on line and in stores.
I have to agree with those who said Cozi.
You can have multiple shopping lists, to do lists, diary, calendar (that I sync with my hubby’s work calendar on outlook), and you can specify who gets reminders about appts and through what medium (text, email). And those are all on the free account.
I love that my husband and I can add to the calendar or lists and they’ll sync automatically. It definitely cuts down on “Did you remember to get…?”
I strongly recommend it.
Wow I have Cozi, but I am certainly not using it up to it’s potential. I didn’t know it could do all that!
Erin condren!!!! A must it has plenty of space to write everything. EC has beautiful customizable covers and stickers to use for events. Ordering my third this week:)
Erin condren defiantly. There is loads of space to write everything. The covers are customizable. EC even has stickers you create for events. Ordering my third planner this week.
Evernote and If This Then That.
After finding out how easy it is to set up reminders, lists, etc in Evernote, I started using it more. I always have my phone or tablet with me, so it is accessible. I can collect all my thoughts/plans/goals in one place but have them organized in their own place. The only feature that was missing was a full calendar, so I use If This Then That to send it to my Google Calendar. I am working on syncing my iPhone calendar too.
Paperless Home Organization: How to Create A Digital Home Management Binder
You can find the ebook listed above on Amazon. A great system to handle everything in your home, without generating paper. If you have a smart phone, and a laptop, this is a great system. I have been using it all summer and have drastically cut down on the amount of paper in our home, and have felt on top of our lives.
I love Erin Condren’s life planner
Cozi – it is an online app, but you can use it on the computer as well, and it has all those things!
I was just looking at one today called the Home Executive Day Planner. It is everything that you’re looking for!
Monthly layout
Weekly layouts
monthly recipes
weekly menu planning space
weekly shoppinglist
extra space for notes
stickers to mark appts/reminers
Her website is http://picketfencepublications.blogspot.com/p/shop.html
And you can find the flip through here http://www.youblisher.com/p/662634-2013-2014-Home-Executive-Day-Planner/
And it is super cute and only $15!!
I love the Well-Planned Day planners, they even have a program/app for it but I prefer the paper ones.:) It is set up for homeschooling (I have that version but I think they have a regular planner too) it has meal plans, tear out shopping lists, goals, etc.
I made my own! I am using an organizing binder in the classic size that I bought used; I have made 5.5×8.5 daily planning templates, printed them, cut them out, and hole-punched them (and even corner-rounded them). I printed out free printables for other parts of my system. I am really happy with the choice so far! I have used many previous calendar/planning systems, but none had exactly everything that I was looking for.
I’m about ready to order the Timekeeper for a third year. I tried a new planner last year (I never considered myself loyal to any one planner), and ended up buying the Timekeeper a month later because it worked so much better for me. I like the tear out shopping list (though I run out early), the pockets, the while month layout, and the weekly layout that includes space for menus and a to do list.
I use the Well Planned Day Planner. I love it!
I also have The Time Keeper and love it. Just ordered the 2014 version. (Also – it’s printed in the USA, or was when I contacted her last year about it).
A ring organizer! There are tons of brands-Filofax, Day Runner, Kate Spade, Franklin Covey. you can get them very inexpensively at Target, Walmart, or for a greater variety, online. (Ebay has a huge selection for very cheap!) I use a personal size Kate Spade, and I have everything you mentioned and more! My favorite part is that you can just replace the calendar pages as the year ends, so there is no need to copy over notes, goals, lists etc that you want to carry over to the next year. Right now I’m even using mine as a wallet as well!
I blogged about mine awhile ago, when I was using a Filofax: http://thefunmommy.com/filofax-an-overview/
I’ve never found one to satisfy my own needs. Its always too much or too little. So, like another on here, I created my own. I recently saw the idea of laminating your sheets to reuse (verses put in a page protector). I like it a lot for using my non-permanent pens (wet erase) — much better than writing on a page protector.
Anyhoo, I have my big flylady calendar on the wall (month view), a weekly view laminated page, a menu plan (weekly) laminated page, a daily page (laminated). I created a pantry/shopping list in excel that has three pages — one page for each store and a list of what I get at that store and the amount I expect to have in my pantry. I’ve started printing this up once for each month and use it through out the month. Its easy for me to see if I NEED to hit a particular store this week, or if I its flexible as to which store I go to. I try to do hit only one store each week. This all in a small 1/2 inch binder, though laminating the pantry pages and spiral binding it would be nice… might do that when I’m done editing (still figuring out what to have on the lists!).
I bought the Day Timer Family Plus at Walmart for $19 the other day. It has everything you mentioned and then some. IT has a seperate column for each family member as well . I also got the FREE colored pens at Walgreens this week so each family member has a color. Please check it out if you are trying to organize your family. I have tried EVER planner out there and this is the best by far. BTW. they come in pretty colors too. I chose Turquiose! Happy planning!
Last summer I found the planner of my dreams…at Walmart. It’s a Daytimer Family Plus 18 month spiral bound planner. I think it was less than $10. I’m planning on getting another one next time I go to Walmart.
Haha..guess I should have read the replies before I wrote the papragraph below. LOVE my Family Plus Planner:-)
Mine isn’t spiral bound though. It’s the standard planner style in (faux) leather. I’m am hoping to find a refill when needed. It does have 18months though so no need to worry about that for a while!
ooooh, I might splurge and get the refillable one. I didn’t know there was one.
Organizeher at Target has monthly and weekly calendars, spots for meals, and different lists.
Does anyone know if there is a way to customize a tablet the same way you would a paper planner? I would love to be able to go paperless with my lists and calendar, etc.
I dunno if this helps, but I kept losing my paper planners and/or kept forgetting to update them so I finally switched over to the COZI app and I LOVE it. It texts us and emails us important calendar reminders, I keep my shopping lists, my to do lists, my goals and tons of notes in it. And I use the FREE app…so I don’t pay a dime. I have it on the ipad, phone and you can use it online by logging in to their site. http://www.cozi.com
I love Cozi too–always have my phone with me!
I have been using the Wunderlist app for iPad/iPhone for half a year now. I really like it. This is the longest I have stuck with one planner for almost 8 years! So I use iCal for specific dates and Wunderlist for menu planning, authors, packing lists, errands, etc.
I have fallen in love with LifeTopix…it takes a little time to get use to it but it does EVERYTHING I need on my mobile device.
I use Cozi on my Android phone. I love the program! I make lists for everything from camping supplies to grocery lists. The only complaint I have is that it is only the pay version that lets you access your menu plan on your mobile device.
Cozi is so helpful to me ( grocery lists, to-do lists, calendar, and more!) and I LOVE that my husband can access it from his phone as well…it’s made grocery shopping so much easier!!
Evernote works very well and accessible anywhere. Keeps all my stuff.
I make me own planner using the Martha Stewart discbound system from Staples. I love how it has the compactness and benefits of spiral bound while still allowing me to change things around. I then created my own set of pages that had exactly what I needed, and I also offer the printables for sale here: http://confessionsofarecoveringchocoholic.com/sweet-life-organizer/ It has everything you mentioned. I, too, love having absolutely everything in one place.
You could also probably compile your own from various free printables floating around the internet. There are tons out there. (Try a search on Pinterest to find them.)
Target carries a line of products called Organizeher. The planner has monthly calendar, to do list/project list for the month, daily break down for each week with spots for mine, theirs (4) and meals, and a blank lined page at the end of the month. At the rear of the planner are pages for websites/blogs (includes lines for web address, username, and password), books to read, and movies to see. This planner starts with totally blank calendars that you fill in the dates, so its good for a whole year from whenever you start it.
Erin Condren planners. They are pretty pricey but include everything you’re looking for 🙂
Yes, I love my Erin Condren Life Planner!
Where did you purchase your Erin Condren planner at? I’d be interested in looking into one for my planning needs.
Via the website: http://www.erincondren.com/store/
I splurged on the Arc hole puncher and planner accessories at Staples. It let me create my own planner without having to use a binder and make different sections etc.
I use iCal for individual calendars (work, my personal, husband’s work, husband’s personal, etc.) he can check it if he wants to. However, I print out the daily and monthly sheets, as there is space to write the to-dos and add from the master to-do list in ical or from opus domini. I can also print out other sheets, lists, etc.
I bought the Arc hole puncher too! I LOVE making my own planner to fit my needs! The best part is that I can change it or add to it as I feel fits!
I agree with Gwen and Samantha! I have spent years trying to buy the perfect planner, but there was always something wrong or that did not fit my needs exactly. When you are unable to buy what you are looking for make it. I too purchased some Arc supplies and off to work I went. My husband created the actual calendar pages and all my needs were met
1. A calendar with vertical columns and times
2. Running To Do List
3. Notes Section
4. Monthly Budget Section
5. Menu Plan & Shopping list.
The great thing about the Arc system is that you can add pages and rearrange things as nescessary.
I finally ended up making my own. I found great free printables from all over the internet, designed a few of my own, and then had the whole thing spiral bound. This way, it was totally customized to me and my family, but it definitely was more work than just ordering something. If you are looking for everything in one place rather than wanting to search out printables for free, you might want to try Jen over at iheartorganizing.blogspot.com She has an Etsy shop with a fabulous set of home management printables.
Good luck!
I’ve had great success with Amy Knapp Family Organizer that I found at a Christian book store. The Christian Family Organizer also has daily scriptures for devotionals. https://www.familyorganizer.com/products.aspx
I love Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer, too. Last year I switched to another, similar planner and I didn’t like it nearly as much. I’ll be back using one of Amy’s again this year.
The planner that I put together, The Time Keeper, has most of the features you are looking for. You can check it out here: http://www.wellkeptlife.com/
Check the photos page for a look inside the planner. And let me know if you have any questions!
Starla,
I like the planner but do wonder, does it have a page for goals?
Not specifically. However, there are extra blank pages in the back that are marked NOTES that are specifically for something like goals etc. That way you can customize the planner to make it work for you.
That is perfect, thank you for answering me.
I have a lot of practice with planner/binder fails. The only system that will work is one that fits in your purse so you can carry it with you. I use the “classic” size from Franklin Planner and buy blank pages and print my own design in Excel (week-at-a-glance, goals, and a spot for notes). I have a section in my planner for menu planning, http://franklinplanner.fcorgp.com/store/category/prod434/US-All-Forms-%26-Tabs/Menu-Planner-Shopping-List?skuId=23616
which works brilliantly. I use this size because it works with half-size or 8.5×5.5 notebook paper and binders. Office supply stores also stock tabbed dividers and poly folder pockets in this size.
I’ve been looking at making my own design as well because I am just not finding what I want. Do you have any hints of how to go about making your own?
Patty, I’m not gonna lie, it was time consuming to make my own pages, but it was worth it in the end because I have exactly what I want. My day job has always been accounting, so I found Excel easy to use. I just manipulated the columns until the week at a glace reflected what I need and fit within the page. Does that help? If you email me, I’d be happy to send you the file. Can I say that here? Moms need to stick together. My full name as one word. I use yahoo as my email provider.
I also use the Franklin Binder in classic because yes, it goes with me EVERYWHERE. Leather Bound, going on 13 years now, still in good shape. I have found that their pages are way too expensive for “Mommy-me” (They were about $50/year back in my college days, but oh-so-pretty). Now I do two things for pages…
either print them using this site:
http://www.diyplanner.com/templates/official/classic
or often-times I make my own spreadsheet versions using excel. I have done this most recently for my budget tracking and created a tool that is significantly better than the version I’d used in the previous (too many) years.
I would recommend figuring out the correct sizing on your excel doc using a purchased page in the correct size and setting the margins parameters based on that.
I would also do a test drive with your printer on how to print two side by side pages back to back. Then print a *few* to use. Sometimes I would print quite a few only to find they needed some tweaks to make them user friendly. Adjust as necessary and once you have it right, then commit to printing a few more! It’s worth the time and effort upfront. Although I admit that the formatting, cutting, hole punching can be daunting at times, but is best done in front of the tv at night! Hope it helps!
(Am I the only one that goes to this extent?!!)
I agree…I use the franklin covey planner ALL THE TIME. mine fits In a large handbag, it’s about the size of a 6×8 photo and is about 2 necessary thick because mine has a slot for credit cards/money etc. I don’t do too many extra things but they do have tabs that you can label yourself….my tabs are labeled things like prayer list, groceries, thank you/cards to write etc. it has a little form you fill out each week that are actions you are doing this week towards your roles/goals. I.e. my role as a housekeeper goal is everything into place and a place for everything…so my goal for this week is to clean the top of my fridge….study up on the system…. I like techy things…but I love my paper franklin covey
I personally use “The Time-Keeper”. It has your monthly calendar, plus weekly ones in between, tear-out shopping lists, menu planner (on each week), to-do lists (on each week and month), and extra note pages in the back for whatever you want (goals perhaps?). I use the to-do list also for my goals sheet as it is pretty big.
You can visit the blog @ http://thetimekeeper.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/the-time-keeper-2014/
Or see sample pages of one and/or order one @ http://www.wellkeptlife.com/index.php?id=12
Good luck on your search! 🙂