A couple of weeks ago I posted here about my planner dilemma. I am always on the lookout for the “perfect” planner. I need something compact, but not too small and it needs plenty of room for notes and ideas.
Well, let me introduce you to the Busy Body Book Personal and Family Planner. Joan, the developer of this lovely planner sent me one to try out and she is also giving a planner away to one of my lucky readers! (Sorry, you have to wait until the end of the post to get to the giveaway!)
The Busy Body Book is in a weekly grid format. When the book is open the calendar is on the right page. The dates are in the left column and the other five columns can be named whatever you like. Sounds simple but it is quite miraculous. For a family of five like myself I could give each family member their own column. Then you can view quickly at a glance who needs to be where and when. My kids are still young and don’t have a lot going on so I will let them share a column for now. My husband and I will share a column and that leaves me with three columns. Since I am blogging I can have a column open for all the blog ideas that pop into my head. My clients can have there own columns as well.
The best part about the column format is that you don’t have to commit to the way you have it set up. Each week you label your columns so if one system is not working for you then try something else. If something changes like getting a new client or even having another child simply rename the columns to make it all work.
Now, on the left page of the book there is tons of space for notes. There is a “TO DOODLES” side and a checklist to keep track of all those things that need to be done. Some weeks even have little reminders like “Organize and store holiday decorations.” and “Test your smoke alarms.”
With the space available for notes and the layout of the planner I think it has the makings for the perfect planner. No more sticky notes or scrap papers cluttering up the house. And that is not all! It also has a page to record birthdays and anniversaries, extra note pages and perforated shopping lists! Yes, shopping lists you just rip out and take with you. The planner is 7″x10″ so it is the perfect size to carry around with you anywhere and it will fit into just about any bag.
I have the 2008 planner so I have not even begun to use it on a daily basis but it is ready and I have begun taking notes in it. I am already loving this planner.
Now for the Giveaway…
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmmm…I have a few ideas
My work schedule
Hubbie’s work schedule
Baby’s appointments, etc.
Get together’s with friends/family
Wow, this is an awesome planner!
I am an avid list maker. The columns would be super useful to keep track of my boy’s activities, various household duties, and appointments.
With a little one and a busy schedule, I’d love at least 3 columns to keep track of apts, daycare and family plans!
Thanks!!
kings.3@comcast.net
Love the columns for meals, appointments, etc! Very cool!!
I’d start off using the columns for menu planning, schooling, extra-curriculars, hubby’s work schedule and misc., and later I could tweak it if necessary.
I really love these, so many great features!
Hello!! Happy Holidays as well! I am a stay at home mom and a full time college student, Navy wife, scout volenteer, sunday school teacher, and have 2 kids! So I would LOVE to have this planner to help me plan meals, set work/out goals, appointments, school assignments and so much more! Thank you, Bonster
I am a homeschool mom and this planner would be perfect for planning lessons and keeping track of all our extra-curricular activities. I would use a column for each of the subjects we are studying. I love the flexibility of the column format as our schedule frequently changes.
I really like the columns! I would love to do each important person to me, like their days if a friend has an appt or something so I can remember to call and check up on them, I have a horrible memory like that lately, I have a newborn after all :)
I would use a column for each of us (4) and then the last for specific “to dos” on that day.
I would use one column for each of us & the last column for the things we have together.
My husband and I are both teachers so I would have a column for each of our school functions!! thanks
Very cool…I would use the columns for each twin and one for me! I’m sure I would find many more uses too…
One for my weight loss goals, one for meal planning, one for work schedule as mine is so crazy, one for bills, and one for everything else. Great giveaway!
I would use the columns for housework and doctor’s appointments. I’m expecting my 1st!
I have so many projects going on at the same time, the columns would be perfect for each one!
What a great planner. I have a Mom’s Agenda, but it is too bulky for me. I love the columns. I’d use them for my kids, my school activities (I’m a teacher), weekly menu ideas, exercise/weight recording and family activities.
Great planner!
Kim
1 Column for a shopping list
1 for my work schedule
1 for my to do list
Another for personal schedule
One for dh=)
I like the individual calendars…meaning a column for each member…we each need out own space!! Thanks…
stbaisch@yahoo.com
Oh these are just beautiful! I would use the columns to help keep all of our comings and goings straight. My daughters school activities, sports activities, and play dates. My work and (what little time I have left for it) social activities. My husbands work schedule and his social activities. Whew…there is so much to keep organized! I really do need one of these.
Oh these are awesome! And it’s perfect that there are 5 columns, because there are 5 people in my family. So we would each get a column and I could keep track of who has what going on when. :)
I would use the columns for TO DO Lists…I have many. House, grocery, kids, etc!!
I would use it to keep track of all my elderly father’s doctors appointments because he lives with us.
casale1955(at)msn.com
I’d use a comment for each family member and then one as a ‘to do’ list :)
Great planner!
I’d probably use the columns for general time of day I need to do things — before work, morngin at work afternoon at work, after work but before baby’s asleep, and after baby’s down for the night. Okay, it may not be as imaginative as some people, but it’s most likely what I’d do. (linda_warner(at)juno(dot)com)
I love the grids to keep track of each person’s activities/Dr. appointments. What a wonderful organizer.
WOW!! Oh this is amazing. I have a laundry list of uses and with a new baby I have to write EVERYTHING down or I completely forget thanks to sleep deprivation!
I would keep track of house chores, baby-to-do list (dr. apt/shopping lists)writing schedules and deadlines, personal errands…I could go on and on and on! Thanks for such an awesome giveaway! ekb713 at hotmail dot com
I love that there is a column for me, my husband and my son. Very neat feature!
School deadlines, church and volunteering, appointments for my daughter, household reminders & bills, and errands.
to do lists!
please! count me in. thank you ;)
My schedule is so busy this would really help me a lot.
-meals
-my to do’s
-outside the home activities
-homeschool stuff for each girl
I tried to win one of these in another giveaway but no luck. Just in time for the New Year, awesome! Ok, I would use one for my son’s school functions and activities, another for business stuff and maybe…I’ll pencil my hubby in for some “no kids” time.
Totally off the subject, thanks for stopping by my blog. Jen did do a great job and I love your blog too. The colors and are great and of course all the info is good too ;-)
Have a great Holiday Season.
I need this. :)
My shopping lists are on different pieces of paper – and each gets left when I leave the house. dh works different shifts all the time leaving everyone confused… we are a mess. Pick me please! thanks!
I love that I could see what is ahead so that I am constantly reminded of my to do’s before they are uh oh’s.
This would be fantastic! I will be teaching four classes for the Spring – and the fifth column would be great for household/self/other. This would really help to keep things in perspective. :)
Different columns for different people!
I love ripping out my shopping list! What a great feature!!
I would love this. I would definately use the “To Doodles” part a lot!
Well, I have 5 kids and two adults, so I don’t think we would all get our own column, but maybe the little ones could share, as they don’t have that many important things to schedule.
Okay, I have been wanting to get my hands on one of these so bad! I’m such a list maker/planner user and these planners are awesome! My lists usually look like this….
-to do list for the day
-to do list for the week
-grocery list
-phone calls
-appointments
-important info to remember
My life is one constant list!
blelmer22@yahoo.com
I would use the columns to track deadlines and goals – one column for nonfiction, one for fiction, one for blogging, one for projects, and I’m not quite sure of the last one yet. :)
This would be wonderful to win. :)
Audra
adashofsassitude (at) gmail (dot) com
I would use a column for playdates and maybe one for family gatherings! I have been seeing these planners and LOVE them! And oh, how I need to get myself together! LOL! I really want one to start my new year with! I love the size…Perfect! Thanks for the chance to win one!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
This looks great…I would use a column for work tasks, a column for personal tasks, and another column for blog tasks.
kids, home, blog, meal planning, misc.
I’d love to try it!
one for each child, my appointments, shopping list and things to do
Dr’s appointments, sporting events, daily & weekly to-dos for me… Oh so many column ideas! I really want one of these!
I personally would use the colums for my billions of school projects and deadlines. I would really love to win this planner for my mom though who has to keep track of a zillion doctors appointments from my dad’s, grandmothers, hers, my sons, and her dog (who has more health problems than is just fair) .. I think this family is falling apart… LOl
I blogged you too
http://www.prizeatron.com
I would use the columns to list the activities I have to do, that way I can just look an see the time I have down for them, and cross them of when I’ve done them.
I would use it for different family members appts. That way you can see at a glance where you are conflicting and make the changes needed instead of having to flip though 80 pages to find a scribbled note somewhere!
I have 3 kids – one in high school, one in elementary and an infant. Also, I’m on the PTA of the high school. I would use this to keep track of every little and big thing I have to do for EACH of the kids – from organizing events to packing lunch to doctors appointments.
Please randomly select me!!
One (or maybe 2!) columns would be so I can keep track of my husband’s wacky schedule, one for my daycare, one for tutoring, one for my son, and one for misc, such as doc appts, b-days, etc…perfect for my New Year’s resolution of getting more organized! lkdeangelo(at)yahoo(dot)com
Happy Holidays! I really want to win this organizer. I am almost obsessive with note taking and such. One feature I especially like is the removable shopping lists. All during the week, I jot down what we run out of! The personal goal idea is fabulous. Of course, the school page and appointments would be used frequently. The two pockets are a definite must for me!!!!! I used to put my receipts in an envelope and then forget where I put it. Please sign me up for this remarkable contest. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
A column for each person in my family, one specifically for Dr.s appts., one for chores…
dansan826 at yahoo dot com
The weekly grid looks great. It would be used to let my husband know when I am on photo shoots what exactly and when exactly the kids need to do their thing! PERFECT!
I’d use one for household, one for kids’ schooling, one for personal, and one for errands. Fun! ( meg.wilson@gmail.com )
I like the open area where you can put any info you need. There is plenty of space.
I would definitely use a column for school functions. And, one for my deadlines! Then, I would use one for personal goals, etc.
kelli (at) pfrog (dot) net