Do you have a friend who's obsessed with her daily planner? Someone who proudly lugs around a color-coded, personalized coiled notebook? Goes on 20-minute rants about fine-tip markers and posts photos of her beautifully decorated weekly spreads on Instagram? If you're looking to add a little fun into how you organize your day-to-day, our guide to planners is here to help.
Image via Erin Condren.
We'll start with the basics. The very first thing you'll need (no surprise here) is a planner.
Depending on your budget, personal aesthetic or specific scheduling needs, this can be anything from a pocket agenda you grab out of the discount bin at Target to an Erin Condren LifePlanner that you've customized by choosing the size, page layout, coil and cover.
With options such as classic coiled notebooks, disc systems, softbound petit planners and ringed binders from beloved brands like The Happy Planner, Passion Planner, and Plum Paper, there's a planner out there that will work for anyone who's interested in putting pen to paper. You can research your options by following hashtags like #plannercommunity on Instagram, watching videos from YouTubers like Chloetry Plans, Plan With Laur and Amanda's Favorites, or even joining Facebook groups dedicated to specific planner brands or products you're interested in.
Now that you have your planner and some great inspiration on how to use it, you're ready for accessories. The way you personalize and decorate your planner is what turns planning from a simple organizational system to a full-on hobby that can help you focus on visualizing your goals and habits. You can start small, just by choosing a favorite pen to write down your plans and maybe add a sticker or two, or get right to work on creating themed spreads using color-coordinated markers and stickers. Planner subscription boxes are a great way to build your stash of planner supplies, and keep you motivated to stick with planning all year long. Here are some of our favorite subscriptions for planner accessories such as stickers, pens and lifestyle items to get you started on your planner journey.
Writing Tools
Apart from your planner, a good pen is the most important item you'll need. Whether you prefer a tried-and-true ballpoint pen, a luxurious gel pen, a set of colorful markers, highlighters or even brush pens designed for calligraphy and other fancy lettering, these subscriptions will get you inked.
Cloth & Paper
Image via Cloth & Paper.
Cloth & Paper specializes in luxe pens, stationary and planning supplies in elegant black and white designs. Their monthly Penspirations box includes 5-7 stylish pens, pencils and other writing tools along with a pen testing card with details on the inspiration behind that month's box. After a few months of trying out different writing tools with this subscription box, you may find yourself jumping into contentious social media debates to passionately defend your favorite fine-liners.
The Cost: $18.00 for the Penspiration Box, $38.00 for the Planning + Stationery Box, and $48.00 for the Penspirations Box and Planning Box + Stationery Box bundle. Save with a longer subscription. Ships to most countries worldwide.
Check out our Cloth & Paper details and reviews to learn more!
The Inky Box
Image via The Inky Box.
If fancy lettering is your preferred method of expressing yourself in your planner, The Inky Box has everything you need to perfect your skills. Each month, you'll receive a curated mix of lettering and calligraphy tools, including brush pens, watercolors, paint pens and more. Just make sure that the paper in your planner is thick enough to withstand whatever writing instrument you choose.
The Cost: $39.95 per month for The Inky Box, and $14.99 per month for The Inky Box Mini. Save with a longer subscription. Ships worldwide.
Check out our Inky Box details and reviews to learn more.
Stickers
Even more than pens, stickers may just be the accessory that inspires the most joy and passion in the hearts of planner addicts. Use them to create a themed spread or just add a touch of flair to your pages. Many of the popular planner brands offer sticker subscriptions to compliment their planners, or you can branch out and try sticker clubs that offer some truly unique creations.
Erin Condren Sticker Club
Image via Erin Condren.
If you love stickering up your Erin Condren planner, you'll look forward to this quarterly sticker subscription featuring at least six sheets of functional and seasonally themed decorative stickers that are either exclusive to club members or sneak peaks of upcoming offerings. Save room in your planner to utilize these stickers in your spreads.
The Cost: $16.50 per quarter or $56.00 per year (save 15% with an annual subscription). Ships worldwide at varying rates.
Check out our Erin Condren Sticker Club details to learn more!
Plum Paper Sticker Kit Subscription
Image via Plum Paper.
Plum Paper is another popular brand that offers stickers specifically designed to match the color schemes of their planners. Unlike Erin Condren, Plum Paper sends their stickers out monthly and allows you to choose kits tailored to fit the three different planner sizes they sell.
The Cost: $10.00 per month for orders within the U.S., $12.00 per month for all other international destinations. Save with an annual subscription. Ships free worldwide.
Pipsticks
Image from our review of Pipsticks Kids Club.
If you're looking to build a stash of fun stickers so you'll have one for every occasion, Pipsticks Pro Club is the subscription for you! Each month, you'll receive 7 or 15 sheets of stickers designed around a pretty color palette to create a cohesive look in your planner. These sophisticated stickers include fun design touches like glitter, foil and neon finishes. They also offer a subscription for kids if you want to make planning a family activity.
The Cost: $17.95 per month for the Classic Pack, $11.95 for the Petite Pack. Ships worldwide at varying rates.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get $5 off your subscription!
CODE: FRIENDSROCK
Check out our Pipsticks details and reviews to learn more!
Planner Lifestyle Subscriptions
Now that you're fully immersed in the planner lifestyle, you're ready to move beyond the basics to some hardcore planner accessories! These lifestyle and planner accessory boxes from some of the most popular planner companies will help you bring the style and organization you bring to your planner to the rest of your life. These boxes need to be purchased individually each season, but we expect you'll love them enough to pencil their release dates into your planner!
The Happy Planner Be Happy Box
Image via The Happy Planner.
Disc-based planner system Happy Planner offers a seasonal "Be Happy" box with all you need for a season of planning. Each box includes a planner based around a seasonal theme and a slew of matching planner and lifestyle accessories like stickers, washi tape and tote bags. Their latest box "Plant a Happy Life" is sold out, but you can join their mailing list to find out when the next one will go on sale.
The Cost: $49.99. Ships to most locations worldwide at varying rates.
Erin Condren Seasonal Surprise Box
Image via Erin Condren.
Erin Condren superfans are so loyal, many of them happily pay $40 per quarter for a box of mystery products. The "SSB" is a beloved seasonal event in the planner community featuring a hand-picked assortment of sneak peaks, exclusives and best-selling items to enhance your planning and organization. This year's summer box goes on sale May 17 and is likely to sell out quickly.
The Cost: $40.00 + free shipping on orders within the U.S.
Check out our Erin Condren Seasonal Surprise Box details and review to learn more!
Have you tried any of these planning subscriptions? Or do you have a favorite we didn't mention? Head to the comments section to let us know, and be sure to check out the complete list of the best stationery subscription boxes to find your optimal paper zen!
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