Thinking about getting a Create 365 Happy Planner. Be sure to read my Happy Planner review to help you decide if it’s the planner for you.
I’ve spent some time this year working to organize my life and my home. I plan on doing even more in the coming year. One way I’m doing this is by using a planner. For years I’ve used a three-ring binder and a DIY free planner. While this worked for a while it was no longer working. Honestly in part because I always forgot to print more sheets. It’s also quite bulky.
The past year I researched planners and watched YouTube videos about planners. I really like the reviews Pretty Neat Living has done on planners. She does a great job showing the planners and how you can use them.
After all of my research, I decided I wanted to try the Create 365 Happy Planner. I chose this one because you can get an Arc type punch and add your own pages. I really liked the idea of being able to add things to it and being able to take out pages when planning.
You can find instructions here for how to resize printables to fit in your Happy Planner. This is perfect for my Christmas planner printables that I created.
The Happy Planner is also great for decorating and I was fascinated by the idea of using stickers while planning. I’ve always loved stickers and crafting. This seemed like a great way to be crafty while doing something very functional in my life.
The price of the Happy Planner was another big thing for me. Since I’m still trying to decide what type of planning will work for me I wanted something affordable. The Happy Planner is $24.99, which is pretty affordable as far as planners go. However, if you get a Happy Planner Michael’s you can use a 40% off coupon and get a great deal. That’s what I did.
How I Use My Happy Planner
I’ve only had my planner for a few weeks but I’m getting a good system down. The weekly spread on my planner is broken down into morning, afternoon and evening. I actually use stickers to cover this up and have different sections. My sections are to do, blog, and personal.
In the to-do section I put the chores and such I need to do for the day, the blog section is where I write what I will be doing for my blog that day, and the personal section is where I keep appointments, workouts and such. I haven’t really decided what I want to do on the sidebar. And I use the monthly calendar to keep birthdays, events, trips, etc…
Some people go all out when decorating their planner and make it more of a scrapbook. I like to keep my planner more functional but I do add some decoration as well. I have only ordered a few stickers so far and I’m waiting for some more. I will say there was a lot on my Christmas wish list as well.
Me and My Big Ideas makes nice planner stickers and I use some of those. I also really like looking at Etsy for stickers. The shop I used for a lot of my stickers is NikkiPlusThree. She has adorable stickers, both decorative and functional stickers. I’m currently using her header stickers, pill reminder stickers, workout stickers, and cleaning stickers.
I’d love to hear what planner you use if you use one. Also, have you used planner stickers? If so, do you like more decorative ones, functional or both?
Want to be organized this holiday season? Check out my Christmas planner printables, they are great for adding to your Happy Planner!
Anali Martinez
December 11, 2015 at 1:08 pmLOVING YOUR PLANNER!! I bought a Create 365 Happy Planner for 2016 and an Erin Condren Planner too!! I still don’t know which I will use more, but I love that the Create 365 is basically the Erin Condren but so much more affordable. Love the way you decorated it! Definitely going to NikkiPlusThree for some planner stickers! Thanks for sharing your planner with us!
Tiffany
December 11, 2015 at 1:22 pmVery cute planner! I love the three sections you’ve made and that you’ve combined your blog to-dos into it! I always go crazy at the beginning of the year with a different planner for everything, but I always end up just using one. I’m also not a scrapbooking-planner type either, but I do love using different colored pens and some washi tape to brighten up the pages. 🙂 Oh, and I used the Daily Simplified Planner last year, but this year I’m trying out the weekly version, plus the Daily Day Designer — like I said, I can’t ever just get one! haha!
Lauren
December 11, 2015 at 1:31 pmI adore the thought of using stickers for a planner! I just bought mine at Target and it’s been alright, I write for three sites though so anytime more detail can be added thats always a bonus for me.
Molly
December 11, 2015 at 5:46 pmThis is so great! I have this planner and LOVE IT! The stickers are my favorite part for my creative side. You gave me some great ideas on how to use it. I never thought about getting a hole punch to create your own pages, but I love that idea!
Molly
Jenny
December 11, 2015 at 11:17 pmI want to try the happy planner so bad.
It’s so functional for such a great price.
xoxo, Jenny
Shann Eva
December 12, 2015 at 10:49 amOh. I really like this planner. I’m going to have to check out Michael’s and see it in person. Thanks for the suggestion.
Leslie
December 15, 2015 at 5:49 pmSuper cute! I wanted to order one of these last week, I could’ve used the code! My mother bought me a planner for christmas, so she says. I absolutely love planners!
Kaye
January 3, 2016 at 12:55 amI am seriously considering using the 365 day happy planner along. With taking pictures each day of things that I’m grateful for. I really feel this would be good fit for me. Thank you for your ideas on stickers, and coupons
Stephanie
January 8, 2016 at 11:21 amI have that planner!! I’ve only had it for a couple of weeks but so far I love it!! I had no idea Michaels sold these. I’ll have to see if the stores in my area carries them when I need a new one.
Lisa Sharp
January 8, 2016 at 12:41 pmNot all Michael’s have them but many do. They also carry accessories. 🙂
Jess
January 9, 2016 at 11:16 amI got the same planner after using an Erin Condren in 2015. I’m not 100% sure I’m happy with the Happy Planner, but I really like how yours is turning out. I went deep, deep down the rabbit hole of decorative planning last year and I”m trying to simplify this year.
Jennifer
January 9, 2016 at 11:18 pmLove the blog. I recently bought a Happy Planner, for many of the same reasons. Really enjoying using it!!
Judy Riggers
August 26, 2016 at 9:38 pmI was given a Create 365 Happy Planner for my birthday this summer. I have used planners for years and have been changing the dates when I have unused papers. I was thrilled to receive a new one – been reading about this one – I love the way you changed your categories – think I will think about this myself. I do lots of volunteering and this way I could take care of all my organizations. Going to try the stickers as well. Thank you.
Emily Francis Stewart
March 29, 2017 at 2:44 amLove it!!! So cute and creative!
Lisa Sharp
March 29, 2017 at 9:26 amThanks! 🙂
Jennifer Merkel
April 12, 2017 at 8:36 pmI have always been a planner person, and as a professional organizer I have always encouraged clients to use whatever style they find fits them best; planner, calendar, or digital calendar. I use all three, and I love these new planners! I had been using post-its on the family calendar, because it’s so handy to write down all the information for an event or an appointment and then be able to grab it and take it with you, but with my Happy Planner I am able to grab the whole thing! I got a nifty case at Michael’s on a coupon with space for a notebook, all my pens and whatever else I may need. I use the three sections for morning afternoon and evening, and I am still shaking out all the new things that I can do with it. This post was very helpful!
Chelsea
November 2, 2018 at 9:07 amLove those rings on your planner with the hearts in the middle… never seen anything like that before. So cute ?
Lisa Sharp
November 5, 2018 at 10:27 amThey are the discs that come with the Happy Planner. 🙂