I think this is the most requested post EVER. I finally got around to sharing my planner organization, but not before I switched out planners. I am a planner addict and have already been through 2 planners this year. I like change and this is no exception. If you find that your planner isnt working for you, dont be afraid to change it out. Its not set in stone. When Martha Stewart first came out with office supplies, I was so super excited. I love office supplies, I love Martha, and I love planners. 🙂
I picked up these planner supplies at Staples. Some of the stuff was 25% off and I got a coupon for 40% off one MS item here.
The binder is the smaller size. Its 5×8″ or something like that. Its a great size and portable!!
Menu planning.
I like to use these particular (Mr. Sketch scented) markers because they do not bleed through to the back of the page. I have so many skinny sharpies but cannot use them in my planner for that reason.
Everything is color coded. Each family member has a color, as well as the family as a whole.
I use sticky tabs at the tops of the monthly pages to navigate easily.
My planner is organized into main sections…
1. Monthly
2. Notes
3. To Do’s
4. Menu Planning
5. Budget
and then I have sub sections…
1. Blog Schedule
2. Sponsors
3. Ideas (Blog)
4. Giveaways
5. Income (Blog)
6. Checklists (more on this soon)
7. School
8. Blank
The blue planner…
The Red Planner….
More Martha Stewart products…
I love these bookplates.
Pantry stickers… Love.
I love my new planner. What type of planner works best for you? Leave a comment and share with us.
Tags: planner, planner organization
Blog, Featured Posts, Organize, planners Posted in
62 comments
62 comments on “Planner organization…”
I love the Martha Stewart products – I used bunches of them for the organisation I volunteer for since there are so many items to keep at my fingertips. But your photos have inspired me of other uses and needs that I never thought of. So – I still have a MS-Staples coupon – perhaps I should stop by tomorrow and pick up a few things. Thank you for giving me loads of new ideas! I hope you don’t mind, but I am sharing this blog entry on my Facebook page. Love it!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/at-the-Blue-Barn/74233914968
xx Jennifer
@atthebluebarn
I love the color variety 🙂
I can’t get those Martha Stewart here in Spain BUT I love reading how you do it.
Isn’t Martha just the BEST ?! Ugh <3 <3 <3 LOOOVEEE your planner! I bought one of her hard plastic spiral notebooks to use in my planning system as well as some of her labels...the quality on her labels is incredible, the paper is such good quality they almost feel like a sticky fabric.
I couldn’t ever find a planner that fit my needs so I literally spent 3 years (and who knows how much money) on perfecting my whole planner system. And I know this seems silly but it seriously Changed.My.Life. I had no clue how much I was capable of when my time was managed properly in a way that was fitting to me …anyway, ramble ramble 😉 i’ve got tons of pictures and more rambling about my planning system on my blog:)
http://theoxfordplacediaries.blogspot.com/
I think I need to head to Staples to check out Martha Stewart’s office supplies. I have seen them on several different blogs and love them more and more each time I see them. Love your planner!!! Very bright and cheery. 😉
xoxo,
Kristin
I think you just inspired me…or made me jealous of how organized you are….either way, thanks!
Well I know where I am going to be this weekend…buying a new planner. I THOUGHT I liked having a large planner because I always have a lot to write, but I think my taste has changed. I will take yours!
I love your blog! Is your planner Martha Stewart? What size binder? This is great!
Thank you for sharing your ideas!!
Love your planner. Just wondering though, how the monthly tabs at the top are used. Are they on the calendar pages? I think I need to go shopping!
Yes they are on each monthly page.
Yes. Its martha. Not sure what size… 5×8?
Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my chin… Definitely gonna have to invest in some Martha Stewart organizing products! Love that color blue!
Wow, you sound like an amazingly organized person! Wow…Wow…Wow…
~Aidyl
I have gone crazy in the MS aisle at Staples. I was embarrassed to go in it got so bad! I’ve been using alot of her stuff for scrapbooking and organization. I have been eyeing her planners but am pretty happy with the one I have.
Are you using the smaller planner? I love how cute it is but thought it wouldn’t be enough room for me or to store things I needed too.
Love your planner!! That turquoise is my fave color right now and that’s what drew me to her line. Along with the red? Gorg!
I did my tour of planner post a couple of days ago at http://giftieetcetera.blogspot.com/2012/05/photos-of-my-planner.html .
Loved reading yours. I especially like the idea of using monthly dividers on top and subject dividers on the side.
Love your Planner ideas. I love all Martha’s stuff. What is the binder size is it full or half in this picture? Thank you for so great idea on that planner!
The binder is the 1/2 size (5×8) or something like that. Its a great size and portable!!
I have to stop by staples and pick up some of the Martha Stewart products.
Toni, I LOVE your blog, recently got here from iheart organizing about a month ago. I’m also liking your new color scheme, very inviting! I recently began work on my own home management binder. And I know what you mean about changing things up, I’m constantly changing my binder including the tabs. Great to see what categories you use, and mine is very similar. Do you mind if I ask how long you have had the small size binder, do you have any regrets about going with a smaller size compared to the regular size binder? I’m thinking of also going smaller.
Thanks, Sandra from http://www.simpleispretty.com
GREAT IDEAS!
I’m sure you, being as creatively organized as you are, created each planner page yourself. If I’m right, you should do a post about the various pages you created for this particular planner!
Love it! Makes me want to create my own, and being a student, about to begin planning my wedding, and having a Fiance who works so much that I end up doing everything myself, this would be a wonderful idea!
Could you give me an estimation of how much you paid for the planner and contents?
For the planner and supplies, the cost was around $50 with the coupon and sale. Its comparable to the Erin Condren life planner.
Samantha, I did not create any of the pages. They were all from the Martha Stewart line. Thanks for the compliment. 🙂 Its a good idea.
Sandra, I have had a smaller planner for a few months now and really like it. I also use a large binder for my home management stuff. But for the daily stuff, its my martha planner. I love it.
I use an ARC planner from Staples because I love the accessories that go with it. I recently bought a MS monthly calendar in both sizes for work and for personal use. I love that I can take from different places and punch holes to get what I need. Love the MS line!
I love everything about this planner! I’m a planner addict too, and I have an Erin Condren that I really like but I can already tell that customizing one like yours will work better for me. I even ordered the markers 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing and I’m heading to Staples today!
So you still use your home management binder? how do you use the 2 planners in conjunction with each other?
Wow you are the most organized person I know! I used to love planners but have found i’m in a love/hate relationship with my current one :/ Will try these ideas out! Thanks!
Cathy Trails
Oh this is perfect, just what I need in my life! If only the Martha Stewart Home Office line were available in England!
I have tried so many different variations for my planner and organiser and I think yours looks fantastic.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Morwenna
I use an Erin Condren planner. Unfortunately, I usually find out after a week that the planner I bought isn’t working for me. HOWEVER, I’ve been using the EC planner since February and love it. I only wish it were smaller. 🙂
Great job! Would love for you to share this with us at Inspire Me Monday, my weekly week-long Creative Blog Hop at:
Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
I am also adding you to my Pinterest boards (that’s how I found you!)
Have an awesome week! 🙂
It seems from the post that you have not yet met the AMAZINGNESS that is Sharpie Pens! They write like the skinny markers but are made specifically not to bleed through the pages. I use these to grade student papers – they are my favorite! Target is the only place that has fun colors that I’ve seen, though.
http://www.staples.com/Sharpie-Pen-Fine-Point-Pens-Assorted-4-Pack/product_729593
I also got an Erin Condren Life planner last summer and have been through COUNTLESS planners before but this one made it almost a whole year! So far it is the best and I am looking forward to the updated design. If I wasn’t using that I would go back to something like you posted here though, I love the Martha Stewart options you chose to use.
Oh I love the planner, I hope they get them here in the UK. Yours looks so cute, the colour and colour coded areas really speak to me 🙂 I have lists and books for work, blog and family.
p.s. have just become your 6,000th follower!
What did you use for the tabs on the tops of the calendar pages? Beautiful planner! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I would love to see more pictures of each section. I’ve been trying to find a good way to organize my blogging stuff.
Maybe I missed it but are both your binders the same? The red and blue?
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I use an Erin Condren planner. Pricey but I love it. I love the idea of color coding stickers! A lot of people color code in pen but I can’t bring myself to do it, I’m very much a pencil only kinda girl.
I love this but can’t find the calendar inserts in Canada. They’re. It on staples.ca or in store. Amy thoughts on how I can get my hands on them in Canada?
Where do you find the calendar pages like in your red binder?? I too love the Martha Stewart office supplies…and I see that calendar page at the MS display over the products…but I can’t find it at either of the Staples here. Is it actually part of the Martha Stewart line?? I couldn’t find it online either. 🙁
I found the calendar pages at staples with the MS stuff. Others have said they cannot find them either. 🙁
If you can’t find them at your local store I believe you can get them online. Or you can ask a salesperson to locate one and order it for you. Also other companies planner pages fit in the binder as well. Daytimer, Franklin Covey Classic, while at Staples go to the planner aisle and there is a host of other products not just Martha.
I have the aqua binder and i love it. I was fortunate enough to find inserts in the clearance section at staples for $0.50 so I’ve outfitted my binder with avery accessories. If you have a tight budget for your planner check out the clearance section at Staples AFTER the back to school sales. That is when you’ll hit the jackpot.
Lastly if there is an item that is on clearance at Staples that you need more of but they’ve run out then head over to Office Max and they will match the clearance price!
Well pooey…but thanks! I’ll keep searching. Maybe I can find them online somewhere. I might be able to order from Staples in the US. 🙂
I found it online under staples.com!!
Just a quick question, What is the difference between the blue and red. Is one older, I know you said you like to change up planners. Or is one for work and the other personal?
Js
i love this! great post! found ya through google and im glad i did. i do have one question for ya tho..when you write in your planner, do you remove the page and write or just write in it where it is?! the reason i ask is cause of the bulkyness of the stickers or pens yanno. i have a filofax and adore it but its so awkward to write in it yanno..just wondering what other folks do. :]
I’ve used a day-timer planner for years. I love it, I didn’t think when I became a stay home mom I would need it. Wrong! I didn’t even think about keeping blog ideas in it or tabs out the top. Thanks for sharing!
I think planners need to be portable. So 5X8 size is nice. You still have enough room to write what you need in it. I would really love however if I could make a cover for mine so that it had soft edges, and handles so I could tote it around like a purse. Easy peazy!
Which sheet protectors do you use (1, 2 or 4 pocket) and what do you keep in them? Thanks!
I love the Arc by Staples. I have been using this for years. I bought the hole punch and use post-it products. It’s really easy to add and subtract pages without the opening and closing of your binder. Try it!
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Just curious, what made you change your mind about using the Erin Condren Life Planner. You seemed completely sold on it last year. I know you said you like to change planners, but was there something specific that made you change your mind? It seems like the MS make-yourself one is comparable in cost? I’d love to know your thoughts. I’ve been researching different options hoping to purchase something soon. Thanks! Dawn H.
Does the planner u have fit in ur purse?
What are bookplates?
The planner wil fit some purses… depending on the size. You can see a sample of how I use the bookplates in my office organization post.. Its on the white ikea file cabinet here http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2012/09/home-organization-101-week-4-office.html
I have the same planner- in brown- and LOVE it! : ) I didn’t like that Martha’s calendar was only monthly (at least all I found), so I added pretty day-timer seasons weekly pages.
I have never had an organiser for the home, but I am going to have one as I can see it is invaluable in kepping the house organised.
Love it, thanks.
I have a similar one that I totally went all DIY on it so it was just what I wanted. 😀 I even found some super adorable, skinny pens (some erasable!) from the Tokyo Pen Shop. Here’s some fun photos of mine, but also keep in mind I’d been drooling over Levenger’s Circa system for years now.
Hi Toni- I love your website! Is your Home Management Binder different than the 5×8 binder at the top of this post?
Where is your binder from? i LOVE it
I been trying to get those calender inserts in your binder…I am wondering where you got them thanks!!! 🙂
What portions of your budget binder do you keep in your planner? Do you transfer those back to your budget binder each month? How do you incorporate the two?
Thanks!
I FREAKING love your planner! Soooo adjustable through out the year – exactly what I need as priorities change! I bought a store planner out of necessity at the end of the year (had my second baby 12/31 & had no planner/calendar to write down doctor appointments – oh my), and 2nd month in and I hate it! I am going to order a filofax & other pieces tonight! I love office supplies too xoxo!!!!