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January 14, 2020

The 3 things I plan digitally instead of using pen and paper

Over the years I’ve switched from pen and paper to digital for planning some things:

  • Budgeting
  • Annual overview (especially for blog & shop stuff)
  • Reminders

The common theme – I prefer to use digital planning if it saves time, is easy to use and for planning things that are subject to change often.

If there’s something I need to refer to often e.g. weekly planner, password log etc. I want that in front of me, within reach on paper, on my desk. I don’t want another tab / app on my computer.

1. Budgeting

Just a few of the reasons I switched from pen and paper to Microsoft Excel (digital):

  • Formulas automatically calculate – much quicker than manually adding things up with a calculator
  • I can track ALL of my finances in the one place (income, expenses, debt, savings, investments), rather than scattered across multiple pages (previously I was using a monthly calendar, bill tracker, savings tracker etc.)
  • Don’t need to re-write the same things each month

I did an entire post on my budgeting spreadsheets (and more reasons why it’s way better than paper) in this post.

budgeting spreadsheets income expenses tracking family budget spending log editable worksheets monthly excel google docs-min

2. Annual overview

I also use Excel for this. I originally used a printable in a similar format to a habit tracker, but I constantly update it throughout the year so it was just easier to use Excel.

If I’ve changed my mind and no longer want to proceed with a goal, need to add a new one, or change the timeline of an existing goal, I can quickly cut and paste, insert new things, delete old ones – much quicker than erasing and re-writing.

One of the perks of Excel is that you can change the colors quickly and use any color you want (not limited to pen and highlighters colors).

I do the annual overview in Excel nowadays, and then break the tasks down into more detail on paper.

annual overview spreadsheet excel template printable color coding once a month tasks other tasks and projects goals routine habit custom all about planners

annual overview spreadsheet excel template printable color coding once a month tasks other tasks and projects goals routine habit custom all about planners how I plan a year in advance

You can download my template for free here. Existing subscribers can login and download the template here. The template matches the master task list from this post.

annual planning spreadsheet overview goals blog business gantt chart routine tasks simple customisable

3. One off reminders

I use a list format on paper for monthly planning but if it’s something particularly important, or it’s happening far in the future, I’ll use the reminders app on my phone.

I know there are tons of apps that you can use to keep track of everything – lists, weekly planning etc. but I don’t like small phone screens so have opted to just keep it simple using the default reminders app that comes with your iPhone.

digital planning apps using the reminders app on your phone tips ideas digital versus paper planning all about planners priority

I can set a time reminder (like a text message) and set reminders for weeks (even years) into the future. Since I don’t use just 1 planner and switch between so many, text reminders help. I also like to use this app for things like following up with people, when gift certificates expire and other random little things I don’t want clogging up my planner (e.g. not really a task just a quick thing that’ll only take a minute or 2).

digital planning apps using the reminders app on your phone tips ideas digital versus paper planning all about planners

More planning tips

  • 10 Things people often forget to check before buying a planner
  • What is the best day of the week to plan?
  • 50 Category Ideas for Color Coding Your Planner

Found this post helpful? Pin it!

digital planning prefer to use instead of paper reminders app on iphone excel for budgeting an annual overview alternative

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  • Printable Budget Planner/Finance Binder UpdatePrintable Budget Planner/Finance Binder Update

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Posted In: Planning Tips & Inspiration · Tagged: digital versus paper planning, how i plan my life, my planning system, paper planning, pen and paper versus digital, should you use a paper planner, what do i still plan on paper

Comments

  1. Karin says

    January 15, 2020 at 03:21

    Great stuff, as always! Thank you.

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