If you know me at all, you know how obsessed I am with planners. I can’t really explain why other than there is something about organizing my crazy, all-over-the-place thoughts and ideas on to cute paper. With cute pens. And cute stickers. 🙂

I have used planners for soooo many years, and wanted to share some of the things I learned. First, disc bound planners are my absolute FAV. You can easily take out and add new pages. Gone are the days of feeling bad because you “ruined” a planner page with bad handwriting or you added all the wrong dates. You can just take out what you don’t like and put new pages in. Or if you decide you want to reorganize your pages in a new order it is NO PROBLEM.

But my favorite thing is that it completely folds in half. I LOVE that I can write notes in my planner without taking up too much room.

There are tons of different disc bound systems- with the most popular being the Happy Planner. I started out my disc bound journey wanting a half size, so I opted for the Martha Stewart planner from Staples.

Metal discs are a MUST- they help make the pages glide easier. Staples has silver and gold discs that hold up very well. I have also ordered a set of the Rose Gold discs from Levenger- they are gorgeous but super pricey, so it’s smart to wait for a sale.

The brand of hole punch you use will make a difference as well. I researched and found that the Levenger punch has the biggest hole, allowing pages to glide more smoothly. I use my hole punch all the time to add my own printed planner pages.

If you do plan on printing your own pages, I recommend buying a heavier stock of paper. I use a 32lb weight paper (regular copy paper is only 20lb). It will not only be more sturdy, but I have found writing on the paper seems more effortless and the ink just glides. I know it sounds corny but I love the difference!

Here is a sample page I created to track the books I want to read during the year. I write the titles on each book, and then color it in after I have read it. That way I can see what I read as well. Feel free to download and put it in your own planner!

I hope these tips help, I may do a second post with more printables! I love planning!!!!!