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#302722 - 10/28/25 06:35 PM DIY paper Planner
Chisel Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/05/05
Posts: 1568
The EDC Forum seems to be gone, so I thought this is the only place left for this note.

I like to have PAPER planner of some sort. So I started searching the net and found YouTube videos and other pages discussing Filofax planners and other similar products. I noticed they were too expensive for my taste and budget. But I also noticed that most of those discussing them were ladies.

So, I'm wondering if paper planners are a female thing or what ???

Anyway, I made my own Homemade planner by getting (almost free) a planner with six rings (3+3). Researching the available refills on the net, I decided they were too expensive for my taste. I pulled out the rings and covered the area with black tape. Then bought a cheap spiral notebook with 100 pages, then opened the spiral and added a few pages from another notebook (leftover from my kids). It was 5-subject notebook with sleeve dividers and squares instead of lines. I added 2 of the sleeve/dividers and 20 pages with squares for when I need to draw something.

Lastly, I inserted the 'hybrid-notebook' in the planner's sleeve.
Seems to me, this DIY planner is a 100% better than commercial ones.
Refilling it is easy and cheap. And is more multi-purpose than what is on the net.

Just my 2¢

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#302723 - 10/29/25 09:09 AM Re: DIY paper Planner [Re: Chisel]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3186
Loc: Big Sky Country
I do like having paper notes, no need for batteries!
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

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#302724 - Yesterday at 11:35 AM Re: DIY paper Planner [Re: Phaedrus]
Chisel Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/05/05
Posts: 1568
Technology is great and makes life easier, but it is dependent on too many factors (batteries, signal availability..etc.) not to mention the threat of hackers, viruses ..etc. Simpler life, less stress seems to be often linked to simpler older ways of life.

Funny thing I was watching a TV program yesterday and it was about how tech and social media are viewed between generations. A social worker mentioned a problem between a girl and her mother n law. The older lady was complaining about the girl sending her a note on WhatsApp inviting her to an occasion. The girl saw nothing inappropriate, but the older lady saw it as disrespectful and should have come in person to invite her.

Food for thought.

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#302725 - Yesterday at 08:33 PM Re: DIY paper Planner [Re: Chisel]
Eugene Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/26/02
Posts: 3002
Paper has its downside as well. I lost a planner/notebook in college so I was a mess for a while with a good chunk missing.
I now tend to make my own templates that I can hand fill in as needed then either scan or re-type into a doc later.
I've been using mostly index cards lately, quick references, maintenance logs, etc.

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#302726 - Today at 07:55 AM Re: DIY paper Planner [Re: Eugene]
Chisel Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/05/05
Posts: 1568
I have been using both types as well

On the paper side I have made my own templates (one week on A5 sheet), and also use the backside of used paper. After retirement and my oldest daughter graduation a few years back, I got a ton of paper to utilize. Most of them are used for TO DO lists for short term task planning.

On the electronic side, I use an App on the phone for medium term and use MS Word for longer term planning, and MS Excel for budget calculations

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