It’s the time of year where we reflect on the year that’s passed and start to look forward to the year to come. What goals do we want to accomplish? What didn’t get done last year that we can work on next year? It’s a magical moment! Now is the time to think about prepping your planner for the New Year.
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Ahhh! I am so excited to get into my new Life Planner! As a planner girl it’s one of the best feelings to get started planning in a fresh new planner. Today I’m talking prepping your planner for the new year. As you know I am using the Erin Condren Vertical Neutral Life Planner for 2018. It’s exciting and yet a bit daunting at the same time. The format is overall the same as previous years but there’s a few changes so it’ll be interesting to see if my style of planning will change.
I’ve mentioned before that there are gonna be a few changes I’m already intending to make.
- no monthly spread kits — to save a bit of money and remove some bulk
- stretch out some of my weekly kits into two weeks
- instead of always using a full kit to incorporate more mini kits
- organize all of my leftover sheets from kits to pull into future spreads
Now those are all personal to me…I’m a kit planner which means I like to use weekly planner kits when I plan. That’s totally a personal preference. I know the paper for the 2018 Erin Condren Life Planner is thicker so I’m trying to be intentional about using less kits to avoid too much bulk in my planner. Now that doesn’t mean every week but just trying to be aware. I know it will take some time.
Aside from that I am excited to get my planner prepped for the new year. Let me show you what I mean. There’s a few ways you can get your planner ready to work for you. And since I use the Erin Condren Life Planner that is the planner I can talk about.
Year at a Glance
This can be a very helpful area to stay on track for the whole year. Depending on your needs this can be used to keep up with sinking funds, vacation days, days out of school, and so forth. The way I had it set up for my 2017 year at a glance was with these translucent dots from Nicole Hutch Designs. I have to find this sheet somewhere around here to set up 2018.
Erin Condren also has a colorful circles sticker kit. Here’s some more options from Plannertopia, Libbie & Co and Planner Kate.
Goal Setting
In the 2018 Life Planner you have these two sheets that used to be labeled by month but they removed the labels this year so your options are endless. I have seen people use this for a savings tracker or debt paying tracker, weightloss goals/tracker or monthly goals. To be honest, I’ve never actually used these pages in my planner. I’ve wanted to but I never could bring myself to do anything. Kind of like, planner perfection paralysis. Yes I just made that up but that makes so much sense to me.
If you’re like me and don’t want to commit to writing something down, make photocopies and practice on that or sketch it out and you can try lots of options before deciding exactly what you want to do.
Monthly View
I use my monthly view to keep track of birthdays, anniversaries, bill dues and things like that. When prepping your planner you can go ahead and mark birthdays and anniversaries either using sticky notes or the stickers in the back of the Life Planner.
Trackers
There are a few notes pages and dot grid pages at the back of the planner. They’re good for tracking things you are working towards or things you want to do and not forget. You can make them yourself or of course “there’s a sticker for that”. There’s plenty of options.
I’m ordering this weight loss tracker sheet from Sweet Kawaii Design. This is the one I used, or didn’t use for 2017. I’m focused tho, I have got to get back on track with my fitness. To see some other trackers from Sweet Kawaii Design click here.
This is a pretty tracker for the 52 week savings tracker from Pretty on Paper Co. You can see more of her notes page kits here.
Now’s the time to think about your goals and using your Life Planner can help you to stick with them. I use sticky notes to keep track of things I don’t want to forget the following year. Like the dates of the State Fair or the Nutcracker Ballet or getting out holiday cards at the beginning of December. The things that are on your mind now are easy to forget next year so go ahead and use a sticky note and put it in the month of December for example so that you’ll be less likely to forget those tidbits.
I love getting ready to start a new year in my new planner. I hope that I’ve given you some helpful tips and ideas to get your new planner prepped for the new year.
Get $10 off your Erin Condren Life Planner here!
I love, love, LOVE the debt tracker and the way you can just fill in boxes to show how much you’ve already paid off! I don’t use planners bc they never seem to be enough room for me, but I can totally do this in my notebook! This would be a cool way to save money too. So I can see how close I am to my goal!
~ Sanaa
http://www.amomthatsleeps.com
thanks I’m glad you like it! and yes this is great for a notebook too 🙂
I still need to find a really good planner for myself! I haven’t found one that I like yet! I have to get on it!
it can definitely be a struggle to find some planner peace I know I’ve been there before!
Love your ideas for your planner. Now I’m about to make mine. I might have to steal some of your ideas #BLMGIRL
thank you! steal away 😉
Wow! That was really good info. I have been thinking about using a planner again. This seems like a good planning system. Thanks for sharing. #blmgirl
thank you! I love my planner 🙂
You’ve convinced me to get this planner! I love all the sections, and how everything is so organized. I’m a sucker for a good planner, and this one can take my money!
yes!! I’ve loved using the Life Planner for years now!
I absolutely love all the trackers! I especially love the weight loss one.
I like the idea of starting the holiday fund from now. This year, since I am participating in the 101 things to do in 1001 days, I decided that I will not be giving Xmas gifts. I am giving experiences so I have to figure out what to get my 6 year old son who I am sure will ask for something materialistic.
#BLMGIRL
Best and happy new year,
Khloe George
that’s a good approach, I’d like to do something like that too.
Love Erin Condren planners. A planner is a must have for me. It helps me write down goals and keep track of the progress I’m making on the goals to date. That debt tracker tool would definitely come in handy. Here’s to a prosperous 2018. #BLMGirl
thank you! Yes aren’t her planners the best? 🙂
Your planner is everything! I definitely need to add my debt pay-off section!
I’m determined to get those balances down and wiped out this year! Thank you!
I try so hard to stick to a planner but usually default to my google cal. This is great!
I’m a pen to paper kinda planner I can’t stick to doing it electronically lol
Erin Condren planners are great! looks like you are set up for a great 2018!
Yes they’re the best to me!
I wish my planner had money related planners in it. hmm
I love all the trackers and Idead I don’t have the weight loss one but I would like that as well. I also want to do a 52 week challenge but I think I will create my own amount and see how that goes. I have seen a few that look easier to try so I am considering a few. I think I will create some other savings for moving and furniture. I also have one for vacation but I never tracked it before. So I am very excited for all to come this year today I do have a lot to get done in my planner but it’s all going to be fun. My goal again this year is to maximize the planner usage. I do think I finally found my way with that in 2017.
I’m excited for you! I can’t wait to see how it all works out! 🙂