If you’re obsessed with organization and planning ahead like I am, then you’ve probably already started the hunt for the perfect 2015 planner. Well, I did a little bit more than hunt. I scoured the internet, poured over reviews, analyzed the cover designs and page layouts, and tested out my top choices. I told you: I’m obsessed. I don’t think I should be the only person to benefit from this research so here are my findings and planner suggestions.
Erin Condren Life Planners
The Erin Condren Life Planners are highly popular, customizable weekly planners that can run for 12 months (January-December) or an entire year, plus the months remaining in the current year. Each day is separated into sections for morning, day, and night, with a short section for notes at the bottom. It also includes a list for weekly goals and notes. It comes with a section for notes and doodles in the back, a two-sided folder, zipping folder, and pages of labeled and blank stickers.
This planner layout is excellent for those who don’t have extremely busy schedules that operate by the hour, or those who don’t write down a lot of information. It’s common among moms and college students, who have sporadic schedules and need to differentiate between large chunks of time. Since it’s a weekly planner, each day only has a slim column and limited space to include information. If you want a planner that lets you fit in work meetings, errands, tasks, and family information, you probably won’t be happy trying to cram it all into this one.
The 7.25x9.25 inch Life Planner comes in several customizable plastic covers and is spiral bound. It’ll cost you $50 for the most basic of cover designs and customization.
The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley
The Simplified Planner does just as the name suggests. It provides a simple, clean layout for each day. It has an hourly schedule on one side and a to-do list on the other. The schedule runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (two lines for each hour!), which can be problematic if you need to write down events before or after that time window. It also has a box for notes and a box for your dinner plans below the to-do list.
This planner works well for work. There’s room to write down all of your work meetings and work tasks, but it can become crowded when you try to fit in things you need to do outside of work. If you need to write down things for your family, like nighttime ball games or homework reminders, you’re likely going to run out of space. However, if you want to use it solely for your work, or if you don’t lead a hectic life, then it will be perfect for you.
It comes in several colorful, fun designs for you to choose from and tabs for each month. It’s 9x10 inches, has a hard cover, protective gold corners, and comes with an elastic band to keep everything together and safe. The front cover also has a pocket to hold loose documents. You can test it out for yourself by printing out the test version from Emily Ley’s website. It’ll cost you $58, plus tax and shipping.
Day Designer by Whitney English
The Day Designer is a yearly planner that provides a focused, purposeful layout for each individual day. The hourly schedule runs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., which is excellent for the busiest of bees, and it includes a 17 item-long to-do list section. It also includes sections for dinner, notes, money reminders, and deadlines. At the top of each day is a section for your three most important tasks and at the bottom there’s a space for you to write what you are grateful for everyday.
The Day Designer is 9X9.25 inches, comes in multiple cover designs, and has a durable hardcover, brass spiral binding, gold corner protectors, monthly calendars, and room for notes every month. In addition, it comes with several pages at the beginning, designed to help you create focus and develop a plan for your year.
Due to the comprehensive nature of the Day Designer, it’s best suited for those who go through their lives and days with a fine tooth comb. If you want a planner that will help you map out your days and create the life you want to live, then this is the planner for you. If you’d like to try it out for yourself, Whitney English offers free printable pages on her website for you to try out. You can purchase the planner for around $59 from retailers or online.
Editor’s Pick: Day Designer
Being the organizationally preoccupied freak that I am, I’ve chosen the Day Designer planner because of the control it provides users. I also like that it encourages you to think about your goals every day and promotes thankfulness in your life. Each of these planners is a wonderful option. Figure out what you need from a planner and choose yours based on those needs.
Plus, check out the best planners for 2016.
