One of my favorite planner layouts are those that have multiple sections for each day, commonly referred to as ‘family’ planners. This style of planner isn’t as common as the traditional vertical, horizontal or hourly so when I stumbled across the Master Plan Family Diary I promptly added it to my virtual shopping cart!

Quick facts

• Size: approx 6: wide x 8.25″ high
• Dated October 2017 to December 2018
• Book / sewn binding
• Soft/hardcover
• Dates at a glance calendars for 2018 and 2019
• Minimalist design
• 2 page weekly spread (starts on Monday)
• Notes pages
• Contacts pages
• Info for the babysitter page

This is not a sponsored post – I purchased the planner myself and all opinions are my own.

Let’s take a closer look!

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Links mentioned in the video:

• Milligram planner
• Me Planner from Plum Paper is a similar planner

While it’s aimed at being a family planner you could use it for your personal planning. I’ve used planners in this format before (like the Me Planner and Erin Condren teacher planner) where I planned by category instead of person i.e. cleaning, travel planning, meal planning, project etc.

The Cover

The cover has a 3D type pattern which I haven’t seen another planner do. I wouldn’t say it’s hardcover but it’s not softcover either – kind of a cross between the 2.

At the front of the planner is an example spread suggesting how to use it. I like when planners include this to give you some ideas to get your mind thinking of how you can adapt the planner for your own use.

Annual Planning

Includes the dates and days

School Terms

As the planner was made by an Australian planner company it includes Aussie & New Zealand school terms.

I’m not really a fan of the font in this planner – it’s very ‘comic sans’ style (plain)

Public Holidays

For Australia – and it’s split out by state <3

Monthly Calendar

This planner doesn’t have a monthly calendar.

Weekly Planner

There’s space to choose 5 categories (or people) and if you get tired of writing out your subjects (or other headings), you could use header stickers (see this post for a tutorial).

I really like planners with layouts like this where they break the day down into categories. Some could be: each family member, meal planning, cleaning, project, school subjects, priority of importance etc.

I also really like the top 5 section and how there’s a larger box at the top of each day which would be ideal for due dates, most important tasks, birthdays, special events etc. Or if you were using this as a family planner, the top section could be for you and the smaller spaces for each member of your family.

Weekly spread starts on a Monday.

Public holidays have graphics & the word

Dates at a glance

Notes Pages

The line spacing is very wide (bit too wide)

Tabs

There are no tabs however there is a ribbon bookmark and a perforated corner for each week so you can keep your place:

Pen Testing

I tried various balllpoint, gel, fine tip and marker tip pens – there was some ghosting on the back side of the page. I also did some highlighter and stamp swatches. The highlighters also had some ghosting and, as always, the MAMBI stamps bled through the page ?

There’s also a loose notebook at the back which has perforated pages that would be ideal for shopping lists (the planner has a ribbon which holds it in place if you want to keep it with the planner)

Pros of the The Master Plan Family Diary Planner

• Perforated notebook at the back which can be removed from the planner entirely
• Perforated corners for each week (since there are no tabs)
• Numerous notes pages at the back of the planner

Cons of the The Master Plan Family Diary Planner

• No tabs
• No cover personalisation
• No monthly calendar
• For a planner that doesn’t have a monthly calendar it is on the pricey side
• Book bound / sewn bound so doesn’t stay open as easily as a coil bound planner does
• No pocket folder

Would I use this planner?

Yes, I like the weekly planning layout however it’s not something I could use every week due to the book/sewn bound binding (I like to keep my planner open at my desk). The page size of the planner is small and I need to have more list making space each week so will probably use a notepad in conjunction or a sticky note.

More planner reviews:

• Mi Goals ‘Goal Digger’ Weekly Planner 2018 Review
• Limelife Planners Layout C review
• Best paper planners if you have large handwriting (and planners you should avoid) 
• Planners you’ve probably never heard of (but will want to know about!) 

Planning Tips:

• How to make lined note paper DIY planner insert refills in Photoshop (quick and easy step by step tutorial) 
• Planner Hack: Using binder covers to create a reusable checklist (plus free printable binder covers) 
• How to choose the right planner pens: what to look for when buying planner pens

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