I am a planner. Through and through. Lists, schedules, and calendars make me happy. I was a bit skeptical of Erin Condren Planners, when I first heard about them. Then Amber ordered one and I brought it to her when we ran the marathon together last fall (it was crazy expensive to ship it to Canada, so she had it shipped to me!) - and I was sold on it. From the pretty packaging to the layout of the planner - I loved it.
Now, these planners do come with a bit of a hefty price tag... They tend to be $50, so about $60 with shipping. Last year I used a $10 off coupon and so paid $50 between the planner + shipping - and it was worth every cent. Yes, $50 may seem like a lot to pay for a planner... but I use it. Every day. I am going to geek out and turn all financy on you - considering the fact that I use it daily, the cost/use is about $.14. Yep. Less than a quarter/day. Or think of it as a latte/month. They are about $4-5 these days, so instead of having a latte a month, you could have something tangible - a beautiful planner.
This year I did luck out and I scored a $25 for $50 of Erin Condren products groupon through Plum District. So I paid about $35 for my planner - again, well worth the money spent.
Here are some pictures to give those who are unfamiliar with the product an idea of what it looks like!
 |
| My prettily wrapped planner! |
 |
| This is the front - you have many options to choose from. I requested a different color combination for mine. And now those of you who don't know my last name do now... |
 |
| Example #1 of a typical week of my life (doesn't include my work meetings because I use my outlook calendar for that). I like how each day is broken out into morning, afternoon, and evening. I have never ran out of room writing down what I have going on! |
 |
| Example #2 of a week in my life. |
 |
| And here is my 2012 planner! I went with a French-inspired Fleur de Lis design since I love all things French! The 2012 edition features tabs for each month (which I love). However, they are not laminated, so I plan on getting little tab laminators upon the recommendation of a couple of other bloggers. |
I am not at all compensated for doing this post. I've never received any free products from Erin Condren. I just happen to be very passionate about my love of her planners! If you want to check them out, here is her website!
Yay :) I love the life planners too- though I didn't get laminated tabs for mine (I couldn't find them at Staples and I didn't want to order them for some reason) and now mine are already getting kind of yucky. I like the tabs in theory but I think i'd rather just use a paper clip so it won't get so bent. Also I really wish she made smaller ones. I have a lot going on but i make my own planner for work so I just don't need nearly as much space and it just takes up so much room in my bag. Those are my random complaints haha, but I'm still thankful for it!
ReplyDeleteI finally ordered my first one last week...cannot wait to get it! I hope it keeps me in order!! haha LOVE the fleur design
ReplyDeleteI love the design of your 2012 planner! I'm sure you can't wait to use it - or maybe you already have started...? I have a nice (but rather bulky) Franklin Covey planner that I really like. I might have to do a planner post at some point.
ReplyDeleteyeah.....pretty sure I need one of those now. I haven't used a planner in a while and now I miss how organized my life was with it!
ReplyDeleteThat is nice. Easy planning and being able to see your day and week at a glance is not something you can put a price on. Good stuff! Those are cute planners too.
ReplyDeleteI use a planner every single day and I can't imagine making it without one! (I use this one http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/diariesplanners/12_month_daily/12_months__daily_planner__red_hard_cover__pocket.php)
ReplyDeleteI ordered a Life Planner in August and I have to say, I really regret my purchase. $35 is still a LOT of money for a planner (when some run you $5...) and I guess my life just isn't hectic enough to need my days split out like these. Plus, it's so big and bulky, I never carry it around so it's pretty useless for me. I know a lot of people love them & get so much use out of them but they must be busier than me! :)
ReplyDeleteFor now, I use Google Calendar on my iPhone and it works SO much better for me. I'm able to get reminders when things are due and what is happening that day so it's been more helpful for me.
I've just never been a planner person so I guess I should have KNOWN I wouldn't get much use out of it but everyone was raving about them so I caved into the peer pressure, hehe. So glad you love yours, though!
I LOVE my life planner too and use it a lot, a lot! I didn't bring it to Orlando with us because I was trying to pack light and I actually felt a little lost without it. When I first got it I didn't like how big it was but now I'm used to it and I'm glad it's so big and has so much room to write stuff! Some of my busier weeks I completely fill it! I will continue to buy on every year!
ReplyDeleteI should use a planner as when one ages, it is doubly difficult to keep things in order! I love your new and almost old planners! Do you record weather events and things like that in yours?
ReplyDeletePaul has always been very particular about his planner/calendar/journal purchases. In fact, yesterday he purchased a new journal. I knew he had been looking for one, so had picked one up I thought he would like, thinking it would work. No deal. His calendar choice is always very important as well. He likes to see an entire month at one view, which is a challenge. Me, I am all about the calendars that sync between our computers and phones and iPods. I would be lost without my laptop/smartphone.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a planner, and have heard you and Amber talk about those planners, but not sure I can bring myself to spend $50 on one. They sure look pretty though!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes I love mine too! And I love that you broke it out into cost per day - because that makes it seem so much more reasonable!
ReplyDeleteThat's a planner after this girl's heart. I've loved the planner I've used for the last few years, but I might need to make a switch for 2012!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute planner!! I am with you on the planning, I would be lost without my google calendar!
ReplyDeleteI am so in love with mine as well. I wish I would have thought of getting those laminated tabs sooner as mine have already taken a toll by getting tossed around.
ReplyDeleteI usually buy the $5 one and am happy but you have talked so much about yours that I finally broke down and got one for me and one for my friend (who is also a fanatical planner). Buying her one kind of made me feel justified in buying myself one.
ReplyDeleteActually this year I didn't even buy the $5 version, so I made 3 outlook calendars: One for running/races/possible races, one for blogging/writing/writing ideas and one for work and other activities. So, I think this planner will be a nice way to consolidate everything!
PS Where do I get the tab laminates?
I've never heard of these, so thanks for the tip! And you may not be paid for this, but they should send you a freebie! What a terrific review!
ReplyDeleteI need one.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of those planners, but I am doing a google search right now! I think I might have something new to add to my Christmas list :-)
ReplyDeleteI am TOTALLY a planner.