The Cheapest Planner: How to Turn an Inexpensive Notebook into a Flexible Planner

Are expensive planners out of your budget? No problem! In this video, I’ll show you how to transform a simple, cheap grid notebook into an effective planner that works just as well as high-end options. Save money without sacrificing organization or productivity!
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#BudgetPlanner #DIYPlanner #productivityhacks
** Planner Supplies **
Pilot FriXion Clicker Erasable Fine Point (0.7MM) - amzn.to/3Hpl1PT
Crayola 10ct Kids Fine Line Markers Classic Colors -www.target.com...
Paper Mate Felt Tip Pens - a.co/d/9kcN7RA
Uniball Zento Gel Pens 0.7mm Medium Tip - www.target.com...
Quad Ruled Spiral Notebook - www.staples.co...

[@calvoniaradford548]

I love this idea, especially the grid notebook.

[@makingalltheplans]

The grid notebook was a game changer for me. Being able to keep everything lined up is key.

[@MelodieH12]

You are so creative. I love this idea! I have decided to join my work & personal planners. And it’s working out well, for this busy season. Thanks for sharing your tips! Great video 🎉

[@makingalltheplans]

Thank you, you are so sweet 💕 I had them combined until my one planner got too thick! But I really liked having everything in one spot.

[@lesliewheeler1741]

Great idea to use a graph notebook!

[@makingalltheplans]

Yes! I was so glad I stumbled on them. It makes it so much easier to line up lists or calendars!

[@calisongbird]

I’ve been using 5x5 graph composition notebooks for awhile now. They’re durable and the grid size is better for me than the usual 4x4 quadrille.

[@sofiakarim2978]

I have been excited to watch this video since you wrote it on the post-it ❤❤❤

[@makingalltheplans]

Hope you enjoyed it! It's not the neatest planner, but it's a necessary addition for those quick planning moments.

[@sofiakarim2978]

@@makingalltheplans you are completely right ✅️ 👏 💜

[@alalineman1]

Great idea. I've been using Dollar Store sketchbooks. They are half the size unlined and cheap. I'm going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!

[@makingalltheplans]

You're welcome!

[@pjlacey3990]

Great video! I hope there are still some back to school sales!

[@makingalltheplans]

I saw a few in the clearance area of Target the other day. Hopefully you can still find one or two!

[@needofspirituality2778]

Thank you for sharing this video, I loved it! ❤

[@makingalltheplans]

Aw, thanks!!

[@yutubl]

I also use checkered paper note books: 1 normal sized college block (ca. 80-200 pages for lists, ideas & bigger sketches; for long term notes archivation I put them into a ring binder), 1 hand sized notebook always with me in my sling/bag pack (for important things like PIN/password etc.) and 1 hand sized thick time planner (ring binder - exchange yearly calendar and todo-lists section). The ring binder time planner is much bigger than my smartphone, I use my smartphones calendar, adresses-, check-lists functions. BTW: In my home I also use paper calendars with important date (dentist, etc.).

[@makingalltheplans]

Sounds like you have a great system that is working for you! Even though I prefer paper, I can keep my family on board easier if things are digital, so I definitely have a combination of tools as well!

[@calisongbird]

I noticed at the end around 8:10 mark you mentioned that you also use a “normal disc bound planner.” What is the purpose of the 2 separate planners?

[@makingalltheplans]

My disc bound planner is the planner that I use regularly. But sometimes I need to make a list, or lay something out in a different way, and that’s where the grid notebook comes into play.

[@calisongbird]

@@makingalltheplans interesting. Your grid notebooks look so carefully and beautifully laid out… personally, I would just use that. But then, I’ve never really cottoned up to disc planners. I don’t like the way the paper eventually frays where it meets the discs, and frequently comes off the discs when the notebook is folded back on itself.

[@makingalltheplans]

Thank you, that is so sweet! In this stage of life, I have a lot of printed papers that I need to be able to put my fingertips on quickly and that need to travel with me. Otherwise I would probably just stick with the notebook.

[@calisongbird]

@@makingalltheplansoh ok, that makes sense!

[@nonielee5133]

I just discovered your channel. Great idea! Looking forward to more great ideas!

[@makingalltheplans]

Thanks! And welcome!

[@freshleap]

Works fr me

[@moxiejae321]

❤

[@ekeener8255]

I like to use a pencil because of changing something to another day or maybe making a mistake

[@makingalltheplans]

A great idea! I just have so many pretty pens calling my name. 😂

[@CanCricket12345]

Can someone please let me know what pens those are? They write beautifully and they don’t glob/blob up when drawing lines with a ruler. I generally just use cheap ballpoint pens and the blobs of ink when using a ruler just drive me mental! Desperately taking any suggestions for pens that don’t do this!

[@makingalltheplans]

The pens that I am using live are Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens - a.co/d/9kcN7RA. Let me know if there was another pen that you saw that you would like to know what it is!

[@Quopiam]

Same here. Searching for years now and never found one. 😢 I use kleenex to clean tip and ruler after every line. 😟

[@HoneyBee-pc3xi]

Sharpie pens. Staedtler triplus fineliner. No smearing.

[@makingalltheplans]

I have had the same struggle. I do have one ruler that has cork on the bottom of it, raising the edge up a little bit. Harder to work with the ruler, but because the edge is raised up so there is less smearing. It's similar to this - amzn.to/4enoFbV

[@calisongbird]

She’s using the Paper Mate Flair felt tip pens. I used to love those as a kid in the 1970s.

[@carlittasnewlife4404]

🌻

[@sofiakarim2978]

❤❤❤

[@dedestaggs5093]

You mentioned not wanting to mess up your planner. Now I'm confused, I thought this was intended as your planner???

[@makingalltheplans]

There was a time that I used this as my sole planner, but now I use it when I need to plan out things that don't fit nicely into a weekly spread. I use a discbound planner that is very flexible and print a variety of pages that I hole punch and use in that planner, but there are many days where I just want to plan out my day, or a group of days, but don't want to fill my weekly spread up with lists of tasks. Hopefully that makes sense.

[@katsmith8263]

Not going to work. Because it's too big to carry around

[@makingalltheplans]

What solution works best for you at work? Are you a digital planner so you can travel lightly?

[@AZsunflower]

You can use a smaller notebook. I like the larger one and have no problem carrying it around.

[@HoneyBee-pc3xi]

I like the A5 size notebooks for a daily planner, Two page spread. Left side for tasks and appointments. Right side for notes and lists.

[@makingalltheplans]

This is a great solution to the request for a more portable system!

[@katsmith8263]

Not going to work. Because it's too big to carry around

[@butterflies015]

It's no bigger than a classic size hp.Just looks bigger cause of the writing.

[@AZsunflower]

I carry mine with no problem. Not pocket sized for sure. I don't care for little notebooks although I keep one in my purse for short notes.

[@JanisOnTheFarmette]

Notebooks are available in many different sizes.

[@imnotmarthastewart8120]

I have one on my desk and a pocket size for my purse. ❤

[@makingalltheplans]

Yes, what the others have said. It's really trial and error to find what works best for you! Good luck!