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!
Holly says
I’m a planner junkie as well and am always looking for new options and layouts that meet my needs. Having been a teacher before becoming a business consultant I think in weeks and the layout you have in your planner is perfect!
Alex says
There’s just something about paper planners… These look great! 🙂 I love that they can be tweaked and personalised. Exciting find! Thanks for sharing!
Emma C says
I look for what I like. I’m extremely picky so I love custom planners.
Marianne says
I would love to win this. These days I am searching for a change of planner for 2014.
Melanie says
I love my planners. I look for a monthly option for quick reference budgeting, and plenty of pages for notes and tasks. I can’t live without my planners. I actually started just buying a journal bc I can never find what I need
cathy says
I was just thinking today that I need to start using a planner. After reading your blog and seeing how organized you are I decided I had to get on it 🙂
Elissa Goodwin says
I look for something that has a nice size month at a glance as well as daily sheets. Also, it must fit in my purse 🙂
Mara (@ Super Savings) says
I’m not sure exactly, but I was *just* looking for one last week! We’re homeschooling this year, so I’m trying to figure out my needs for myself and the kids schedules. I love the idea of customizing it myself!
~ Mara
Tonya H. says
I absolutely love the bright colors that are used for these planners. I could not make it thru the day without mine. I also love bright colors are a life safer. They catch your attention.
Beth says
I look for a planner that will fit, in my purse, enough space to write in each day, smaller monthly calendar in the corner and blank pages in than back.
makinna says
I have to have a week per 2 pages just like you. and I like having a full month calender at the first of the months!
Yrma says
Nice design
Kris Gamertsfelder says
Plenty of space to write stuff down!
Melyssa says
I would love to try this!!
Lisa Adams says
I would need a lot of graph pages for bullet planning inside and monthly on two pages. I love the boxes and the colors. I would love the idea of customizing a planner to get exactly what I need to avoid planner fail….
Debbie Elliott says
I have to have a planner with a 2-pg per month layout with plenty of writing room for lots of activities. I love the look of these planner options and am sure I could create something that would work for me. Thanks for the info on this great site. Love your site also!!!
Amy says
I am always looking for a planner that allows me to see both a week at a glance and a month at a glance, and allow me to combine all of my kids’ information and schedules with my 5th grade lesson plans and school schedule.
Charlotte says
I love this! I could not make it without my paper planner! Though this is ideal, I do rely on my At A Glance planner to keep me organized. How wonderful to design your own!
Michell Nichols says
I’ve never used a planner, so I’m not sure what it would have. Would be fun to customize one!
Flavia says
My planner needs to have 1 or 2 days/page. I like to have plenty of space to write everything I need.
This is so great, I’m going to have a look on their website.
Tracey says
Big spaces for my BIG writing. Space for notes, meals, exercise, scripture memory, to do….whatever I need for that time. I like to be flexible and most plans are most emphatically not flexible. 🙁
Cathy King says
I MUST have plenty of room for my list!!
Jennifer says
I like a planner with a little organization built in, but also space and freedom for self-directed planning. I love the large week-at-a-glance format of this planner with lines for notes and lists as well as blank space for little sketches or outlines for mini day-projects. It has both the structure and freedom I want in a planner.
Gina says
I love having enough space to write plans for 5 people. A bonus of menu, shopping list, etc. is a plus, too.
Lisa Marshall says
I like a week at a glance withroom to write plenty of activites. With a meal planner and space to jot to do list, notes, or a shopping list.
Diane G. says
A planner must have space to write things down! Not too big and not too small….
Julia says
A planner for me MUST be week to a view. I also LOVE planners that go beyond 12 months and into the next year eg 16 month planners.
Amy C. says
I like to see a full month on the bottom of the page it helps making plans.
Dana says
Between work, church, friends and LIFE my planner is a must. Being able to personalize for my needs would be awesome!
Jill S says
I need space for notes.
Diana M. Ford says
Oooh, what a great company! I can’t wait to check them out 🙂
karel says
I need enough room to write my household tasks as well as my school assignments, work schedule and doctor’s appointments.
Stefanie says
I love the month at a glance along with a week at a glance. I’m actually having a hard time finding a planner for next year, so this would be great to customize my own planner for the next year!
Lori says
I like to see the entire month on one page. I need to see how it all lines up. I don’t generally look for a lot of separate room for each day.
Maritza says
I’ll love to buy two planners for each of my grand kids,
they will be perfect for them! The one that you created
Is simple beautiful. Andrea, thank you for the hard work
that you Do!
Sarah says
One of my favorite tasks EVER is opening a brand new planner and filling in all the birthdays and events of the coming year. I would love the chance to design my own planner, as I am still old-school and love the paper/pencil way of keeping track of my to-dos. 🙂
Sherry McDonald says
I look for weekly pages with plenty of space for jotting notes and to do lists. Pretty planners are nice, but usually the decorative trims waste a ton of writing space.
Heather R. says
I like planners I can customize. I want space for jotting down notes or changing things if I need to throughout the year.
Melissa Q says
What do I look for in a planner? I look for the ability to see a full week at a time, with space to pre-insert recurring tasks (Monday is “clean the kitchen” day and Wednesday “clean the bath” day) with extra space for all the other to-dos that spring up. For me, it’s more about managing tasks than time on the page.
Jenn T. says
In this fast paced, smart phone dependent age, I still need the peace of mind that comes from an actual calendar at my finger tips. Having a month at a glance is a must for me. As well as extra pages in the back for jotting down gift ideas throughout the year or taking notes during a meeting. A good planner can also be a nice record of “Life” for those of us that don’t keep a journal.
Lynne says
Always looking for a fun way to keep myself and my family organized. I think this would fit the bill nicely!