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I love building planners. I like to pick out the covers and create tab dividers to coordinate. Whether you use my planner pages or something else, you really can customize and create a planner that is just right for you.

I know there are lots of spiral planners on sale at Target, but I think any planner that you can’t move pages around or customize is going to end up going unused. If you’ve tried using planners before and failed, it may not be you – it may be the planner!

There are 3 main things you’ll need to build your planner. You can easily add on accessories later, so first focus on these three things –

1. Cover
2. Tab Dividers
3. Planner Pages

STEP 1 – CHOOSE YOUR COVER

There are so many possibilities. You can walk into Target and find a ton of cover options. Or on Amazon, you can search:

• Binder
• Mini-Binder
• Discbound Notebook

First, you’ll want to know the size you want! I like the size of a half-sheet of standard printer paper – 5.5″ x 8.5″, but you’ve got to think of what is best for you.

STEP 2 – PRINT OR BUY PLANNER PAGES

I think explaining how to design your own planner pages is beyond a blog post, but there are lots of page options out there. I may be biased, but I think my planner pages are awesome. I use my planner EVERY DAY, so it’s important to me that it is super functional.

There are two ways to get my planner pages. You can download the files and print at home -OR- you can buy the pages already printed. If you buy the Planner Refill Pages, it is just the pages without the cover or tabs, so you can still go with your favorite cover.

My HM Planner is not your ordinary planner. It is specifically designed to help you manage Life + Family + Home.

I’ve updated this post for the newest planner – the 2020 HM Planner!

See the tour >>

If you download and print your own pages, you’ll need to hole punch them. If you buy the refill pages, they should be ready to go into the cover!

STEP 3 – ADD TAB DIVIDERS

If you want to make your own tab dividers, you can check out that tutorial!

I also sell tab dividers in my shop (there are usually clearance options). Check out the Tab Dividers in my shop.

Another option is to buy them somewhere else. You can also find options at Target or Walmart or any office supply store, or you can find them on Amazon too:

• Tab Dividers (for mini-binders)
• Tab Dividers (for binders)
• Tab Dividers (for discbound)

Once you add the tab dividers into your planner, it is ready to go!

You can add accessories or not. They are just the cherries on top. My favorites are really simple: mini-binder clips and bookmarks.

I have a tutorial for creating planner bookmarks, if you need help with that.

YOUR TURN: TRY THIS AT HOME

I hope this post inspired you. It isn’t hard to put together a planner yourself and it can save you a lot of money and you can get your planner just how you want it.

If building your own planner isn’t your thing, you can buy one already put together by me! Shop my planner store.

From my home to yours,
Mary

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