UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.
Congrats to: Jenny (jpage84@…) and Lyss (lyss.rose@…)
Over the last 3 years, I’ve talked A LOT about planners here on my blog. I LOVE paper planners and calendars!
Although there are a few things Dave and I do digitally via Apple’s iCalendar, we both definitely prefer paper planners so we can see many days and weeks at one time, quickly scratch a couple notes down on a specific day, and vigorously cross off our finished items each day.
For the past 3 years, I’ve used the same planner — and I loved how the inside of the planner was set up. Vertical columns for each day of the week, a full week at a glance, and plenty of blank space at the bottom of each day to jot my notes, make my to-do list, etc.
It was the best planner (for my needs) I had ever found — however, last year the company changed management, their customer service plummeted, and their 2013 planners were not available until well into 2013 (crazy I know). Luckily, I had an extra one from the year before (and the dates aren’t written in so I could make the 2012 version work for 2013) and a friend gave me one as a gift — so I am actually set for planners for a few months yet.
But since I like to be prepared (and since I know the “normal” time to shop for a planner is right about now) I decided to start looking for other planners that had the same set-up as mine. I kept coming up short with many of the different companies and brands I looked into.
And then, a few weeks ago, The Personal Planner company (here is their Facebook page) contacted me about reviewing their planners and doing a giveaway on my blog. They told me I would be able to customize my planner for my personal needs — but I’ll be honest, I was not super optimistic I would be able to implement all my “planner essentials”.
However, after spending 3 or 4 minutes quickly looking through some of the customizable options, I felt fairly confident I could make a planner EXACTLY how I wanted and needed. Plus, I got a little creative and designed my own cover and back (more on this below).
After about 15 minutes (seriously, it didn’t take long at all) I had a planner that looked and functioned almost exactly like my previous planner, and it had several extra bonuses the old planner didn’t have — like extra pages in the back, customizable tabs at the bottoms of each page, and really fun colors and designs to pick from.
I was sold and immediately told the folks at Personal Planner that I would love to promote their planners on my blog!
Here are just a FEW of the customizable options:
- Size / style of the planner
- Color, design, font style of the inside pages
- Front and back cover (you can even create and upload your own custom design like I did)
- Page layout and page design
- Owner information page
- 3 tabbed sections on the bottom of every page (there are so many different options to choose from)
- Various choices for extra pages in the back of the planner
- Optional addition of your our own personal dates (birthdays, anniversaries, school days off, vacations, etc)
- Optional addition of your own addresses so you can have a complete address book included in your planner
- and so much more!
The process is super quick and easy. With just a few clicks here and there, you can totally change the look and design of your planner.
Here’s a TINY sampling of the various sizes, styles, colors, and designs:
One of the things that most attracted me to the Personal Planner is that although there are TONS of awesome pre-designed covers you can choose from (and then customize as desired), you can also upload your own pictures or your own complete design for the front and the back cover.
So you literally can personalize this planner to look exactly like you want. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been able to do this with any other planner company I’ve worked with — and I’ve tried my fair share of planners over the years 🙂
When I set out to create my planner, I wanted something really unique, and since we have a new baby coming in March, I didn’t want to use a picture that would then be out-dated in just a couple months. So I opted for a quote instead — and I just LOVE how the design turned out 🙂
Here are digital pictures of the actual front and back designs.
Simple, but definitely not something I’ll mind looking at for the next year or so 🙂
The Giveaway:
Today, 2 lucky readers will win a Personal Planner. Winners can completely design their own planner.
How to Enter:
{required} Leave a comment on this post. What do you look for in a planner?
If you are reading this in your email or feed reader, please visit the actual blog post to enter. Email entries, Facebook comments, and Twitter messages will NOT be counted.
Prizes:
(2) Personal Planners as described above.
This giveaway ends at 10:00 pm on Thursday, 11/21/2013 and is open to ANYONE, 18 years or older. I will use And the Winner Is to select the winning comments at random. Winners will be notified by email and noted at the top of this post. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize or I will choose a new winner. Please see my full disclosure policy and contact me with any questions you have. Good luck!
Deanne Schmidt says
I like seeing a month at a time. I prefer that the day has lines to write on also.
Sally Kurjan says
Our super busy family needs one central planner in order to stay organized and keep our lives running smoothly. Each person “kinda” knows what they have going on but it is so much easier when it is there in black and white….and blue and pink and green and purple. I love the idea of a personalized planner. I need plenty of space to list activities and appointments, make lists of things to do, and keep up with important dates. This planner seems to have it all! I also love your quote on the front. So true.
Christy says
Space for keeping track of on going to do lists/project lists, and room in each day for daily activities (including weekends).
Jennifer says
I like the customizable covers as well as the visual spread of seeing a whole week at a time. Thank you for this opportunity!
Holly T. says
I try to find planners that have large spaces for writing all the family things that come up. I also look for a To Do Section that’s not day specific.
Susan M. says
Room for my appointments, husbands’ appointments, my kids’ appointments, daily/weekly and monthly reminders and to-dos (oh, and not be enormous – ha!)
Stephanie M says
I love planners that have time “stamps” and large spaces for each day for a “to do” list. I love a week view so I can see when I have extra time each week for ME
Michaela Furlong says
I love these! I like a lot of space on my days so I can write down multiple to do’s.
Florence says
I’d like my planners to be unique & fun! One year, our office did planners for all of us including everyone’s birthdays and quotes contributed by the staff! I’ve also handmade a personalized planner for my hubby b4, including some of our fave photos! I’d love to win this!
Kerriann says
Lots of room for notes!
Jamie says
Love to have large spaces for jotting down everything. Also like to have to ability to have weeks and months at a glance – helps me keep me organized in advance.
Amanda D. says
Large spaces to write in for daily activities.
Carol Gifford says
I like a planner that has equal space for weekdays as well as weekends. Being in ministry, there is much happening to keep track of throughout the whole week.
Lisa Collin says
Love these! They’re right up my alley!
Lisa Mc says
This is a great planner. I like the type that lays flat and the two page spread is a must. Even though I use a digital calendar, I could never give up my paper planner.
Tina says
I would love to be able to design my own planner. Being organized and know who is supposed to be where at what time is important! It is also important to stay organized at work…I would need space to make notes, tasks lists, and supplies needed for the project. I would also make space for items that need to be followed up or require more time.
I love the design you selected for your planner. Very neat!
susan says
I look for lots of room to write appointments and to do lists in a planner
Sandi says
I look for something I can use professionally (hourly appointments late into the evening) and personally and for family events. I usually can’t find it.
Eva says
Big squares but also notes pages to keep grocery lists too.
Jacky says
I need a planner to help me manage all parts of my life: home, work, my kids, my personal goals, to do lists and long-term notes. It’s really hard to find a planner that incorporates all of this in a format that is clear and easy to use. The customization of this planner is really cool because you can make it fit all of these things the way you want it too. The fact that you get a cover you love too instead of whatever cover goes with the best inside pages you can find is a great bonus!
Kelly Guerin says
In a planner, I need the space to break down each day by tasks, time slots (meetings/work/kids stuff), and things I need to do/have done. I need a week at a time but I need each day to have ample space for everything I have going on…
Marci Hira says
I have a hard time finding planners because they are all time based. Sometimes, I like a section that is more of a notes style because my days fluctuate. I also would like to incorporate my own cover because having something you’re proud of makes you feel good and use it more often.
Kris Tate says
What a great idea – Finally a planner you can customize to fit your needs. LOVE THIS!!! I never can seem to find one that does everything. Will definitely be taking a look! I would love to have one that works nicely for daily schedules as well as has plenty of space for notes, ideas, etc. Maybe even a couple of pockets to hold coupons and other things.
Suzanne says
I’d love one of these – I do want plenty of space to write down daily info, but also want to be able to see a month at a time so I can get a better “picture”. I’m old-fashioned and like the paper kind of calendar that I can take with me – can’t quite wrap my head around electronic versions!
Lori says
I like to have a pocket for notes that need to be transferred. I am not the most organized person–which is why I LOVE your blog. I feel encouraged when I read about how disciplined you are and how you break it down so that we have those opportunities. Thanks!
Holly Fieger says
I, like you, like to have my weekdays arranged vertically, as opposed to horizontally. I also have some unique ways I use a planner so the thought of being able to customize in so many ways would be fantastic!!
Sasha says
Love the customization available on these planners – especially the landscape orientation! Those are very hard to find. Neat partner!
Nelly Groenewold says
For years I would use a regular calendar trying to find one that had big enough squares or enough columns to hold all of our schedules. Since both my husband and I have medical issues, I need a good calendar that shows the whole month at once to see all of our doctor and lab appointments. I would also love to have pockets to hold lab orders, medicine charts, and other important papers needed for appointments or for other things. I have also upon occasion tried organizers. My son has tried getting me to use the Google calendar, but like you, I prefer the paper version.
Francine M. says
The one thing I really need in a planner is the month at a glance, preferably a two page spread. Even though I write items in on each day, I love to be able to view a month at a time. Specifically the weekends. It’s much easier to decline an invitation or avoid having a few hectic weekends in a row when I can quickly see an overview of our plans for the month. I can’t have a planner without this feature! 🙂
Jennifer says
I look for a planner that is a size I can keep it open on my desk, but can also put it in my purse to take along with me so that I can take it everywhere with me easily. I like something without too much “busy-ness” on the inside, as I make my lists daily on a post-it and affix it to the page opposite the current date. This looks like it would work perfectly!!
Kristina H says
I love paper planners! I like to have one that I can carry around with me in my purse. I have to write everything down or I forget. I need to be able to keep track of appointment, volunteer work and the kids schedules! I also like a planner that has some room for me to take notes and write lists.
Bronwyn McLellan says
I look for plenty of space for my scrawl. I love that this is ‘customizable’… I can see this would be perfect!
Kelly Jones says
I look for a planner that has 2 seconds for 1 day. My to do list on one side and my actual appt on the other.
Cathie says
What a great product – I love the options! I look for lots of space to write, and the same layout that you prefer.
Janie says
Customizable planners are a must for me…most are preset in a way that doesn’t fit my style of scheduling…LOVE these planners, I would definitely be thrilled if I won one!!
Stacey L says
Month at a glance with space to write, plus plenty of space to write lists, to-dos, etc. on the pages behind. I work several jobs so finding a way to track all of those hours, plus my kids schedule, etc. would be awesome. Thanks for the giveaway!
Christy L. says
I LOVE PAPER PLANNERS. We used to have a Franklin Covey store nearby and I loved their planners..they were detailed yet easy to customize. Since they have closed I have yet to find one I like as much. These planners look amazing. I write lists daily. I helps me to retain the information. If I can’t see it I tend to forget it. I prefer to write over type any day. I appreciate technology but I am and probably always will be old school 😉
Michelle says
I use Flylady’s wall calendar at home (Flylady.net), but use a weekly calendar to track appointments at work. I would love to have a personalized calendar that will track all of my appointments and encourage me along the way. Thanks!
Carrie says
I would love to have a custom planner! It would be fun to create one just for my needs!
Lilyana says
What I look for a planner is something that can handle my work schedule, 5 kids appts and sport activities, my school assignments and all my family activities. I too have my fair share of planners and at the current moment, I have carry 2 to fit me and my family needs. I wish I could just combine all into one and this one would simply be awesome!