I prefer to work off a to do list rather than a traditional weekly planner which means I tend to gravitate towards planners that have a more unique layout. You might prefer to use a combination of digital and paper planning so have no need for a big paper planner. Either way, here are some planners I’ve found that I think are good options if you don’t have much to plan.

1. Mini Happy Planner

The Mini Happy Planner’s page size is 5.5″ wide and 7.5″ high which is enough to write about 5 tasks / appointments / reminders etc per day. Because it’s discbound you can add, remove and rearrange pages. They have plenty of insert refills like to do lists and half sheet habit trackers if you want to add those. This planner would be my pick from this list!

The happy planner also do mini happy notes which have lined, dot grid (great for bullet journaling) or graph paper inside and with the same pretty covers they have on their planners.

Week 22: Using Erin Condren size planner stickers in the Mini Happy Planner 

2. Recollections journals

These journals are similar to travellers notebooks but a bit bigger and have pre-designed pages. They’re a bit smaller than A5 page size and weigh practically nothing so are easy to take with you on the go. They also make a great second planner if you want to keep budgeting separate from weekly planning. There are more styles to choose from e.g. daily, fitness, faith, gratitude etc.

And did I mention how cheap these notebooks are… $5 USD!

3. Travellers notebooks

I hate travellers notebooks but if you don’t have much to plan these lightweight little notebooks may be the perfect solution for you. Use one for everything or keep separate journals according to your needs e.g. travel planning, meal planning, home notebook etc.

4. Carpe Diem Home Planner

This planner is part home organizer, part menu planner and part weekly planner. There are 2 different weekly spreads – the traditional days of the week format and a categories format (refer picture below).

I did a review of the planner in this post.

5. Vertical layouts

I’ve written about my dislike for vertical planners a few times here on my blog. The main reason why I don’t like them is that the columns are always too narrow. By the time I write in one task, half a box is gone.

However, since they’re small on space, they’re ideal if you only have a few things each day, or like to do a lot of sticker decorating. E.g. you want to do a hybrid scrapbook / planner rather than just a planner.

Week 17: Using the Plum Paper Vertical Weekly Planner

6. Just a to do list

Maybe, like me, you prefer to work off a to do list rather than plan by day.

Read more: Using blank pages: 50 useful lists to add to your planner

You could use a printable, some Happy Planner refill inserts or a lists book like the Day Designer (review in this post).

Day Designer for Blue Sky Today and To Do Notebook

7. OTTO Dot Diary

I found this at Officeworks here in Australia. I’d call it a cross between a planner and bullet journal. Half the weekly spread is days of the week and half is dot grid paper you can do whatever you want with.

Otto Dot Diary Weekly Planner 

8. Try a notepad

I love writing on a crisp new notepad! Rather than having lose sheets lying around or worrying about the pay tearing off before you’re ready. You can use a discbound punch to add it to your planner.

Weekly Planning using Studio Stationery notepad 

9. Agendio

Agendio will make a custom planner for you. Choose one of their base layouts and start customising. I’ve done numerous reviews of custom planners, see the links below:

• Creating a custom, personalised planner with Agendio
• Agendio Review (custom, personalised weekly planner) 
• Agendio Planners Haul (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Project Planner & Bullet Journals)
• Agendio Daily Planner
• Custom Agendio Vertical Weekly Planner Review 
• Agendio custom dot grid notebook 

10. Can’t find what you like? Make a custom planner

Can’t find exactly what you want? Learn how to make your own! I teach how to make printables using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Photoshop.

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