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!
Maria says
I have never been able to follow thru with a planner. I have started many, but they get ignored.a week or two later. There isn’t a whole lot of variety in my days, no need to look at a planner to know I have to go to work M-F. LOL But my son is 3 and I feel that I need to start a good planner habit before he has multiple sports and meetings and whatnot.
Molly says
I am still struggling to figure out what works for me. I like for dates to be in it, but nothing like an hourly detail. My biggest problem is keeping it on me so that I can update it whenever, wherever!
Olivia @ Crossing Bridges says
I LOVE planners, but also have trouble finding one that has everything I want in one book. The idea of customizing one is super exciting! It definitely needs both month-at-a-glance and week-at-a-glance pages, and plenty of space to write in notes, doodles, ideas, etc. I’m not particular about needing contact pages in my planner, but I definitely need plenty of blank pages somewhere!
Lisa says
These planners look amazing! I like to have something that’s durable, because I’m not exactly gentle. I also want something where I can see everything in ine place- schedule, appointments, to-dos and other lists, etc.
Heather says
I am an independent distributor with It Works Global, I am also a full time insurance agent and I have a 2 and a half year old and a fiance at home. Between all of that I juggle a lot of things on my schedule. If I didn’t have a calendar to keep track of where I need to be and when… I would go insane! My insurance job is a set schedule, but with my It Works business… well I sell whenever and wherever! To schedule parties and such I need to know at a glance when I’m free, plus I send text alerts to some of my customers to let them know when their orders ship and such. Add to that mix a need to plan my dinner every night (my fiance can’t cook) and a digital version just won’t do for my schedule!
Michelle says
I look for planners that have enough room to write in but aren’t necessarily TOO big. I also love it when they have extras like the one you listed above. I’m really hoping to get drawn!
Jenny says
I love extra writing space at the bottom of the page for notes as well as a few different views (monthly, weekly). I love that this one is customizable and is super cute!
Kari says
I’ve struggled to find the right planner. I like the dates to already be in at, and for it to have month and week at a glance pages. I don’t need the hours detailed out. This sounds like the perfect option.
Kelly says
I need my planner to have lots of room for lists.
Holly L says
What a great idea! That makes it all the more special. It would alsoake a great gift!
Tracy says
Have to have a dual page that shows the whole month in one view! LOVE book calendars that are customizable!
Abby says
I like to see a week at a time and be able to see my schedule and add notes/to do’s.
Amy says
I would love a planner with space to write your to do list on the bottom of each day. And I would love being able to personalize it with a picture. Thanks for this giveaway!
laura says
I have yet to find a planner that has everything I want but this just might be it
We have been using electronic as well but I still need and love y back up paper version. This looks like what I need.
Crystal f says
I love planners! I like ones that have a monthly layout followed by weekly. Plenty of soace to write but not broken into hourly increments!
Lydia D says
My planner must fit in my purse and have weekly and monthly views.
Rebecca says
I like a paper calender so that I can look at multiple dates at a time. I like to have one that can easily fit in my handbag. I have to keep schedules for 4 people and I also use a color coding system for each person.
Tricia Bosma says
I have struggled to find just the right planner. Would love to give this a try!
Amanda Jayne says
I love planners that are colorful and have lots of space to write things in (and doodle!).
Brittaney Thoen says
With five kids and so many activities I love the fact I can personalize it. I just stood at Staples looking for a planner for over 20 minutes trying to find the “perfect” one…. Thank you for this opportunity 🙂
Crystal H says
I look for something simple and easy to use when buying a planner. This looks like a fantastic option!!!
Katy says
I look for planners with enough space to write…not fond of teeny, tiny spaces on calendars. I need a new one, so I hope I win 🙂
Emily says
love good planners that are easy on the eyes =)
Donna G says
I want it small enough to fit in my handbag and large enough so that I can read what I wrote. A month at a glance and extra pages for notes and lists of things I need to remember are key. I don’t need a LOT of stuff but what I need, I really need.
Sue says
I would like a weekly overview and days that give you lots of space to put down ideas and “to-do” things. I don’t need an hourly breakdown. Oh and a good size without being huge. 🙂
Thank you for the chance.
You have inspired me already so much to get better organized! 🙂
Jessica says
I live by my planner!!!! I always struggle to find the right one that fits my need of being in school, working full time, arranging clinicals for my school, teaching part time and being a newlywed!!!! A customizable planner would be perfect for me!!! When I look for a planner I look for space, a monthly and weekly calendar! I’m OCD about my planners!
Robin says
This is definitely the time to find a new planner for next year – and I’ve been searching!! This looks fantastic! Would love to have one for next year! I love paper planners.
Robin says
I look for monthly at a glance with space to jot down what is going on and also daily space to write down more specific to do items. It’s hard for me to figure out where to maintain a list of long term to do items and I hope that I can customize this planner to have space for just that!
Nona C says
I love to use a planner. I have to have a large enough writing space for each date to write in schedules or needs for the day
Margo says
For the last several years I have used a basic monthly paper calendar allows me to see the whole month but the squares are so small I cannot put much info in them but . I have looked for different options over the years but nothing fit the bill. I like the fact that this can be an address book too.
Yvonne says
I LOVE planners. I always look for monthly calendar and weekly calendar, plus a place for notes, etc. It would be great to design my own planner with specifically what I want!
Tawanna says
I’m currently struggling with the decision of which planner to purchase. The last two I have tried have not worked for me. I spent the day yesterday roaming different office supply stores trying to find something that works. Nothing seems to have all my “wants”. I’m looking forward to sitting down later tonight and giving this planner a try.
Dorcas Byler says
Yes, I definitely need to be more organized.
Kelly says
I could use some organization! I like ones with a tear off grocery list.
Anna E. says
Definitely the week by week view. I take things a week at a time!
I also like the personalization aspect. I don’t like things that are very business boring, but I am just not into cutesy things either.
Jeni says
I am constantly looking for a planner that best meets my needs for my family and business as well. I am looking forward to exploring the site after seeing your post! Thank you for the review and shared information.
Heather says
I like planners that have both a whole month page, and then a whole week at a time. These are super cute – how fun that you can customize! Great to know that you can put extra pages at the back as well – I never seem to have enough of those.
Tamie Lonsberry says
Planners always have what I don’t need and not what I do need. I need space to write in each day without being huge. If I can’t bring it with me it won’t get used. I would love a chance to create my own.
Jamie says
I always look for one that has the entire month laid out on a 2-page spread – seems to keep me on track more, plus we don’t have *that* many things to fill our days.Yet 🙂
Angie McGeown says
I have to have a full month calendar with a nice amount of space to write down all the stuff I need to remember. Otherwise, it will definitely be forgotten.
Katie holland says
Love a paper calendar. Would love to personalize it.