Warning...We're talking old school planners here, folks...not iphones, ipads, etc. Sometimes I just need to use a pen and paper and be able to flip back and forth.

It's time to get ready for an organized and productive 2015, and I'm already stumped. For many years, I used the Franklin Covey/Day Runner system with leather case, 300 pages and a bunch of sections that were just irrelevant. It was really heavy and too thick to toss in a purse or even a slim briefcase. So, several years ago, I switched to a DayMinder spiral daily calendar. It was super easy to toss in my purse, but there was no place for receipts, notes, project planning, etc. Last year, I tried two approaches...a purse-size weekly spiral calendar and a desk binder (regular binder size so it had to live on my desk) that had all of my own custom pages and sections. It was fantastic having the pages designed exactly as I wanted/needed them. What has not worked at all this past year was that these two planners didn't communicate with each other. I would write something in one that was never synced up with the other.

This year, I need to go back to only one planner. I like the old "classic" size that holds 5.5" x 8.5" pages so I can continue to make my own pages. I'd prefer 3 rings over 7, but I'll take 7 if I have to. I'd like the ring size to be 0.75" so it doesn't get too heavy. Then I want to be able to pick and choose my pre-printed inserts and complete the planner with my own pages.

I really didn't think it would be so hard. But it is. I found a whopping one binder cover that I like. Naturally it is $150 just for the darned cover. Yes, it's Italian leather, blah, blah, blah, but I can certainly live without leather. Then the inserts aren't what I want either. I can't find the right pieces and parts to make it work.

There must be a better way. For those of you still carrying around a planner/calendar, what have you found that really works for you, and why does it work so well? Links, pictures, etc would be awesome!

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