If you are new to buying planners, it can be hard to determine how much you should spend on a planner. The four questions below can help you figure out how much you should budget for your new planner!
It can be really intimidating once you are ready to find the right planner for you, to know where to get started and how much you should spend? Does a higher cost equal better quality and a better chance at success?
If you’re just getting started the thought of investing a lot of money can be pretty scary. You’re not even sure you are going to like this whole “planning thing”.
With the right planner and the right systems in place, planning really can change your life!
4 Questions to Ask When Determining How Much to Spend on a Planner
What Planner Layout Do You Need?
This is probably the most important question when picking out a new planner. Your layout is what is going to make or break your planning routine. You can buy the most expensive planner in the world, and it will still sit on a shelf collecting dust if the layout doesn’t work for you. So determining the best layout will partially determine the cost.
Figuring this part out is going to require some time and work on your part. There are so many planner companies out there, which means a lot of different layouts to choose from. If you need a layout that requires more detail, it’s probably going to cost more than the classic layouts you see everywhere.
How Much Customization Do You Need?
There are several companies who allow you to add customized details to your planner. One of the most popular customizations is the ability to add extra note pages.
There are even companies where you can design the exact organization of your planner using their pre-designed layouts. You choose the layout and order of all of your pages.
I have also seen listings on Etsy where someone will design a planner layout from scratch specific to your needs. They then send you a pdf file that you can use however you like.
Advances in planner customization make me so excited, because it has solved a lot of planning issues for people.
Customization does require an increase in price, but this is a tool you will use for a whole year! So sometimes spending the extra money to get exactly what you need is totally worth it.
What Kind of Binding Do You Need?
The binding of your planner is something you should also think through. There are options that allow you to add and take away pages all the time, such as binders and disc systems.
Other options, such as book bound planners or coil planners, don’t allow you to add or take things out. So once you receive your planner that’s it.
If you are choosing your first planner don’t overthink this question. Make your best guess decision and then reevaluate after a year.
If you’ve been planning for a while and you need more space in your planner, it might be time to do a little bit of research on what kind of binding option might work better for you.
What Type of Cover Do You Need?
Choosing the right cover will be dependent on how you use your planner. If you leave it laying on your desk at home all the time then you probably don’t need to worry a lot about the cover.
If you take it on the go with you all the time, then chances are you need a heavy duty cover that can take a beating.
Some of the most popular options include…
- Hard cover
- Leather cover
- Leatherette cover
- Laminated cover
If you are still nervous about investing in a more expensive planner after answering the questions above, I have a tip for you. Try the layout for a few weeks before you order. Grab a blank notebook and pen, then write in the layout for a month. This will give you the chance to see if this planner will really work for you before you invest the money. This is also a good solution if the planner you think would be right for you is completely out of your budget. You can just turn that perfect layout into a bullet journal spread.
Let’s Talk Numbers
Planners Available in Store
So the normal planners that you will find at the store will cost anywhere from around $10.00 – $25.00. This will include monthly planners, weekly planners, and even a few daily planners.
Your most common layouts will be the horizontal weekly layout, and the vertical weekly layout. You can find different layouts beside those two, if you are willing to shop different stores.
Office stores and some craft stores will have some deluxe type planners that will normally cost anywhere from $25.00- $50.00. These deluxe planners normally have a broader range of layouts to choose from. They also might include things like a sturdier cover and stronger binding.
Planners Available Online
There is no limit to the type of planners you can find online. This is where you will find planner companies that have all of the customization features.
One option is to purchase pdf file planners from a website like Etsy. These normally run anywhere from $2.00 – $30.00 depending on the size of the planner packet you are ordering.
Websites that allow you to customize will cost anywhere from $65.00 – $120.00. Sometimes the customization is well worth the additional investment.
There are also websites that offer specialty planners that follow a certain productivity or goal setting lifestyle. These normally range anywhere from $80.00 – $160.00. If it’s a system that works for you then it’s well worth the investment.
Figuring out how much to spend on a planner can be hard. There are a lot of factors to consider. But your planner is a tool that you will use all year. So investing in the right one for you is really important!