Last year I used the much talked about Erin Condren planner. I wrote a post about it here. While I liked it a lot and it served me well, I wasn't so enthralled that I was set on it for life. This year I went with a Plum Paper Designs Planner. PP is the same size as EC. Here they are on top of each other:
Base cost: $31.00
Add notepages: $3.50
Add stickers: $3.00
Shipping: $10.00
My total cost was $47.50.
What the hell, that's a rip off, you might be saying. Even if I only use it 300 days out of the year - probably more likely to use it 345 - it only costs about 16 cents a day. For something that keeps me organized, it's worth it to me. It works how my brain works.
Monthly view:
I still like the Erin Condren and think it's worth the money, but there's no going back from the day broken down hour by hour and the extra note pages after each month. I was concerned about the durability of the cover of the Plum Paper vs. the Erin Condren. So far it's held up well, albeit a mere two full months into the year. I am really annoyed that the front cover says 2014-2015 when it is only 2015.
I wanted to really use the hell out of this to give you my honest opinion of how it works. It's a little late for this year, but pin me for next year if you're interested!
Questions?
Happy birthday to the lovely Amanda of Voyage of the MeeMee! March babies rule.
Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday
Love the planner. I keep both paper (more in depth) and a phone calendar. I.need to write stuff down and see it. The digital gives the day before reminder which I like.I like this but I still can't justify spending that on a planner. My days aren't busy enough. $15 is my max. I really like the hourly break down though.
ReplyDeleteAhhh I have been waiting for this review - you know I love planners! I still use an EC one, and it works for me but I'm always looking for something else if it is more efficient. I like that this planner has lots of writing space, and the price is a lot better than some!
ReplyDeleteI think I might go with Plum Paper next year because I like the option of having it broken down by hours or parts of the day. I have Emily Ley's right now and I like the look of it a lot but I got the pretty basic version because they're not cheap. I like that she includes a place specifically to write in what's for dinner and there's a checklist for each day. There's no extra Notes pages and I didn't realize how much I relied on that in my EC planner.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I don't think I'll ever go back to EC. I've had two. That was enough.
I like writing things down too, I just need it purse sized so I can carry it everywhere with me. I also don't write down as much as you do, but I do like the idea of writing down the exercise!
ReplyDeleteI so wish I could get into the paper planner. I try and end up stopping after the first month. I switch between paper notes, and electronic versions. I like that you can customize that one though.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you- I am a paper planner gal and always will be. Erin Condren has been my go-to for 3 years now and like you said, sure it seems like a lot of money, but when you use it religiously like us, I think it's totally worth it. Plum Paper sounds awesome, the hourly break down is REALLY tempting! We'll see where I land come November this year ;)
ReplyDeletei love me paper planners because stationary! while i can't justify the size and the ring would drive me insane trying to write on the left side of the planner, i buy a smaller one when it goes on sale. the cheap asianness in me won't let me spend that much unless it's via gift card etc. that said, i do like the hourly thing as well as the notes at the bottom....................
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*lurking plum paper now*
and damn you for putting this into my head.
Very interesting. Great to find what works the best for you and do it. I used to write down my outfits in school and when I worked until I had kids, then it all went to hell. Happy that I have always been a good multitasker out of necessity and it's how I like to operate. Continued Goddess speed to you. Your birthday month weather can only get better JMJ. Happy Wednesday. Love, your Momma
ReplyDeleteI went back to paper last year with an EC planner and I love it too. I tried all electronic and I just missed having my "book" to jot things in and refer back to easily. The PP version looks just as worthy to me!
ReplyDeleteOooh, that is pretty snazzy. My current organization involves scribbling stuff down in a $1 Target notebook that I then forget to look at for several days. So maybe I have room for improvement?
ReplyDeleteThat's the exact layout of my plum planner and I love it - it's seriously the best one I've ever had!! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure planners are my love language.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I love planners! I actually made my own blog planner for the year, using a free pdf. I loved being able to customize it to fit my neuroses! I definitely could do with a smaller one though; mine's a normal notebook size! -Dorrie @ Bear Den Plantation
ReplyDeleteYou know I love this. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love planners and will need to check this one out. I really love the layout.
ReplyDeleteI love it! And how annoying that yours says 2014-2015...mine just says 2015. But i totally agree--the customization of this planner was what sealed the deal for me. The only thing I'd do differently next year is that I'd add more note pages for sure! Great review love!
ReplyDeleteAh! Perfect timing! I just ordered a Plum Paper planner last month and am (im)patiently awaiting its arrival. I didn't get the hourly break down, just blank lines. I can't wait to use it!
ReplyDeleteI love the Plum Paper planners. I like that you can pick a cover and also what month you want it to start. Plus they are so much more reasonably priced than the EC and almost every other planner out there.
ReplyDeleteI was never a paper planner girl, thought they were ridiculous.. but then I looked at myself and realised I never actually used the electronic stuff, and when I did - I would forget! so I got myself a Kate Spade planner and now I will never turn back. I love writing things down, I love seeing it all there - love. I got a 17 or 18 month, don't remember now, and I won't do that again, I would prefer it to be Jan-Dec but I'll know for 2016. I really like the look of the Plum Paper ones, I have it pinned for next year each time I see a review. I saw one that had a week on one page (or was it two?) but it was horizontal and I might not be describing it right but I LOVED it. I don't have anywhere to write my meal planning ideas or my workouts (I would love the checklist thingy at the bottom, or even the hourly thing, thats really smart) and that's precisely why I never write them down and book them in like an appointment, because there is nowhere to write it down. Anywho. Rambling. So getting this next year.
ReplyDeleteSuper annoyed that your front cover says 2014-2015. That is not cool.
When I was a PO and had dozens of appointments plus court, the hourly breakdown made my life so easy. Now I just rely on the monthly breakdown in my $8 Target planner. I need something a bit more but for now this works just fine.
ReplyDeleteI used Erin Condren last year (my first ever fancy pants planner) and this year I went with Whitney English. I thought I would like the layout of the Whitney English a bit better but I'm not quite as in love with it as I thought I'd be. This might be one to consider for next year! Definitely more budget friendly than the one I have now, it was crazy expensive!
ReplyDeleteI have used the EC planner too...but for some reason I am sooooooo bad about writing stuff down....I think I can just keep it all in my head or on my iPhone calendar/notes section....I dream of being as organized as you!! Glad you found one you like better. Thanks for sharing!! :)
ReplyDeleteI've never used the EC planners, last year I won a planner in a giveaway (yay!) and this year I got a Sugar Paper planner for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThis planner is not only beautiful, but it looks like it'll fit and has a place for anything and everything. Love that :-D
I love my Plum Paper BUT...it's too big and bulky for me. I think I need to look into a smaller version for my purse!
ReplyDeleteI envy your organization. I'm terrible. I do make daily lists when I get to work. I put scheduled social outings in my phone. That's about it. You know what that means? It means I'm terribly unorganized and need more of this in my life.
ReplyDeleteOooh I like that planner! I keep a hard one as well as an electronic one but I am like you, I prefer my hard one. It helps with planning dinners, workouts and keeping track of schedules.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If I don't write it down, it doesn't happen!
DeleteI have been trying hard this year to get into using my phone/google calendar but it just isn't the same. Looking forward to hearing what you think of this one!
ReplyDeleteI have used mine for almost an entire year and LOVE it!! I bought the family planner and added a space for me, each of my girls, meal plans, and blog post ideas. Its been amazing
ReplyDeleteI loved my EC planner so much but it was so freaking heavy. All I really use mine for is the monthly calendar so I found one at Barnes and Noble that is thin and doesn't weight like a pound.
ReplyDeleteI love planners so much....I don't have a fancy one right now but being at home with Kyra all day I don't really need one....but someday in the future I am sure I will be picking up one of these!!!
ReplyDeleteGotta say, I could NOT survive without my electronic calendar. Could. NOT.
ReplyDeleteDoes she also make planner inserts?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. Check out the Etsy shop!
DeleteI started with the Emily Ley planner this year and then I got the Plum Paper. I am in love with it so far. I ended up with the weekly spread. Then I added the blog and my home sections to it. Though it was funny when I saw your post because I am going to post my review of the Emily Ley shortly. Then after that I will do my plum paper review. But I am seriously in love with my plum paper planner!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the paper planner. Works way better for keeping me organized! I like having space for to do lists too. It gives me a way to focus on the most important things.
ReplyDeleteI always tell myself that I am going to let myself splurge on a NICE planner, but I can never bring myself to do it. I kept look at the Erin Condren planners but I never took the plunge. I will have to look at the Plum Paper planner :)
ReplyDeleteI am totally a planner girl so I loved every word of this post. I actually have two planners, an Erin Condren for the blog and a filofax which is work and life stuff aka my most used planner (and some weeks my only used planner). I need to write stuff down myself. I like seeing that Ive accomplished stuff and what I still need to do. I use my phone planner if im on the move and need to hear a beep saying "get on this" .. otherwise its my paper planner!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this brand but it looks like a good one, the cost isn't too bad either!
ReplyDeleteFor years I tried so hard to be all-electronic, but I failed at Outlook, Google calendar, iPhone apps, etc. Last year I bought a planner from Poppin and I haven't looked back.
ReplyDeleteI know it's a bit late to comment, but I've grown to re-love my paper planner. While I like that I saved money making my own planner pages, it's not as neat or professional as a bought one. I'm so torn.
ReplyDeleteHEY! Thanks for the birthday wish, friend!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna check this out... I have a paper planner but it's just a blah Mead one from Target. I use my Outlook a lot for work and personal stuff but I like having a paper planner as well. Plus, I like the idea of checklists and notes and whatnot.
I know this is an older post, but in doing my research for a new planner I just found it. I hate making decisions and picking a new planner is one of the hardest things ever! First it's all of the pretty covers to choose from and now I'm torn between the Family layout or a regular one with lists.
ReplyDeleteI see that this is an older post, but how about a recap of the year in review with your planner =)
ReplyDeleteSo... a year later... Don't suppose you're still all over your Plum Paper planner? (why yes, I'm nosy, and debating getting one for myself)
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