How I Use My Planners

 Yes, you read that right.  I have 2 planners.

Call me an over-achiever...

I need 2 planners.  It's how I plan and stay organized, and you will see exactly how I use them both in this post.

Let's get started.

I've mentioned my love of a disc-bound system in a previous post.

The versatility of being able to add and remove pages and items is key for me.  It also means that I can reuse/recycle the covers and dividers as needed, OR make my own - which I love to do.

I currently use 2 Happy Planner systems to organize my life.

The Mini Happy Planner is a 5 x 7.25, 7 disc system that's pre-printed as a planner.

I ordered this specific one from The Happy Planner, but Michaels carries them as well.

I love the smaller size because it fits into my purse.  I DO NOT keep this one as my cute/decorated/stickered planner.  This one is strictly for writing in my appointments and reminders when I am away from home.  I use a pencil and write like a 5-year-old in this one.

Now...

This one is my ride or die favorite!

This is actually a Deluxe Happy Memory Keeping Planner that I picked up on sale at Michaels, and can I just say...

I LOVE THIS PLANNER!!!

Here's why:

1 - It's meant as a "journaling/photo" saving planner that turns into a "scrapbook" of your year.

2 - It's totally blank inside, which means I can "design" it exactly how I want to.

3 - It has blank weekly layouts with verticle columns per day; perfect for list making

4 - Its rustic theme is so pretty.

So, here's how I manage all of this.

Every Saturday or Sunday, I sit down and coordinate both calendars.  I cross-reference the small one with the large one, using Post-it strips to mark new reminders and appointments.  Then, the smaller one goes back into my purse so I don't forget to take it with me.

I then look over the new dates and pull out my Dollar Tree organizer of blank labels.

This is perfect for holding the small colored stickers that I use to write reminders and stick into my large planner.

I write out my additions on these blank strips.

Next, I stick this into the large planner and add a coordinating sticker if I have one or it needs one.

I do this with all the new additions to my planner until I'm caught up.

Once the monthly calendar is complete I begin working on the week coming up.

I like to decorate the weeks a whole month in advance with stickers and washi tape.

I'll write in the dates across the top and use this part as a weekly reminder of appointments and commitments.

I use the part below the washi tape as my list of things to do.

Here, I've posted the MUST DO items that coordinate with the events happening during the week.

This helps me to stay on top of tasks that are specific to the week - things I don't want to fall short of doing.

Then, I make a list of things that I want to complete that week.

I typically write mini tasks on the left and larger tasks on the right.  I will review the previous weeks to see if something didn't get done or was pushed off because of time.  I will add those to this list as well.

This planner stays open on my desk, and I refer to it every day, several times a day if needed.

Planning this way allows me to focus on the tasks at hand and get them done.  It's actually very cathartic for me to decorate and use "pretty" things - it helps my brain stay on track and mentally remind me what needs to be done.

In the back of this planner, I have added additional blank notebook pages and made sections for projects and goals, including upcoming things like my 35th-year class reunion and blog post ideas.  Because of the disc system, I can add or remove as needed!

I also have several "tools" that help keep me organized when planning.

Washi-tape is a must.  I've collected many rolls over the years and use it for everything.

The Happy Planner Sticker Packs are so much fun and really have a variety of styles and uses in any planner.

The individual sticker packs are ones that I've picked up a The Dollar Tree or craft stores and are super great for using on your monthly or weekly spread.

The Dollar Tree organizer holds individual blank stickers that I use on both spreads.

Yes, I will gladly own up to my washi-tape obsession.  What can I say?  I use it for so much more than just my planners.

A great Ticonderoga pencil is a must (nothing's better than a Ticonderoga pencil) and these R-2 Precision, fine point pens?  The Dollar Tree of course!!!

Can I just say how amazing they are?  Superfine tip and writes like a dream.

I use a variety of markers that color coordinate my spreads. These have been collected over MANY MANY years, so don't freak out because I have so many.  I use them for crafting as well as other projects, and you can see that there are a variety of styles and types of marker.

Whatever way you plan - paper and pencil or digital, it must work for you.

This way works very well for me.

Plan however you want - break the rules!

Simple Car Organization

Although some may disagree, a car is an investment.

I know it loses it's monetary value as soon as you drive it off the lot, however, because it gets you from place to place (job, commitments, etc.) and gives you independence, as car REALLY is an investment in personal success.

Taking care of your car helps it keep it's monetary value as well as it's personal value.  I'm not talking about the obvious here.  Washing it and performing regular maintenance is VERY important.

I'm talking about taking care of the organization inside the car!

We purchased the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek a few months ago and it is by far my favorite vehicle!

It's zippy and compact, and I especially love the styling both inside and out.  In fact, the black interior with thick orange stitching detail had me a hello.  I knew I needed to organize the inside with pops of orange!

In our former Subaru Outback, I used this white wire basket to corral items kept in the very back. 

However, an "old basket" was not going to work for my new baby, so I turned to Thirty-One and purchased the Large Utility Tote in a pattern with orange coloring.

I literally have 10 of these bags.  We use many of them when we go RVing - they are the perfect way to load and unload the RV when packing and unpacking.  They collapse neatly and store flat which makes them perfect for any job where you need a large tote but have limited space.  I also use a few in the smaller size as storage in a large closet.  They act like drawers, slipping on a shelf and holding many items.  They're perfect for keeping in your trunk to hold grocery bags.  Their uses are endless.

However, this one is expressly for my car.

All of this stuff needs to be in my car.  Let's check it out.

In the small black bag on the left, I have used Dollar Tree bags folded and placed inside.  Having a few of these great handled paper bags is an eco-friendly way of making sure that I have a bag if I need to drop into any store and didn't already have my own bags.  In addition, because they are paper I also have an emergency trash bag as well!

Above that, I have 2 IKEA rain ponchos.  IKEA carries these very affordable ($8.99) ponchos that come neatly stored within their own pocket.

Next is my Doggie World seat cover.  Our little lemon beagle leaves her little white hairs all over the place, including in our cars.  I am not going to pull dog hair out of the seats, so having a cover in both of our vehicles saves time and keeps the seats protected and in good condition.  These seat covers are also nice if you need additional placement for plants or antique shopping purchases.  They will keep your seats from getting dirty, dinged, or torn.

I always have a towel - well, for things that you might need a towel for...

Inside the large orange bag, I have a variety of things we may need.  Screwdrivers, poo bags, and an extra leash.  These are in the small black bag.

I also carry a lint brush (read puppy fur here) and an empty bag just in case.  It came as a set with the larger bag.

All of this packs away nicely into the large tote.

This tote slides easily into the very back of the Crosstrek.  It fits right up against the side and still leaves room for our frequent trips to BJs and Lowes.  If we need more room, we simply grab the handles and transfer it to the back seat.  If we have to put the back seats down to garner even more room it also fits neatly on the floor behind one of the front seats.

Having all these things in one place, not rolling around or shoved under seats or other things makes it easy to have everything we need at our fingertips.  It also keeps the car neat and orderly to boot.

Think of ways that you can organize your car with the items you might need to make your life easier while away from home and on the road.

Grab a basket, bag, or tote that you already have and organize the stuff that's taking up valuable real-estate already.

Break those rules!