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Organisers and Planners Buying Guide

While everybody seems to be carrying around the new Blackberry  or PalmPilot  these days, there's still something to be said for the traditional day planner or organiser.  For the less technically savvy, or for those who simply want to keep their phones  and calendars  separate, the traditional route may be best.  Designers from Coach  to Vera Bradley  and Liz Claiborne  make stylish planners that will help you keep your life in order and in fashion.  Check out the options below so you can snag that perfect planner for you.  

The Materials

When considering the material from which your planner should be made, think about where you will store it and how often it will be used.  If you plan to carry it around in your purse, briefcase or back pocket every day, it may make more sense to get something like leather, which is flexible yet still durable.  If it's always going to sit on your desk, a flimsy paper or plastic planner will suffice.

The Materials

Leather 

Distressed Leather 

Leather Bound 

Pleather 

Fabric 

Cotton 

Nylon 

Paper 

Plastic 

Travel 

The Inserts

Make sure that new inserts for your planner are widely available and thus, easy to replace.  There's no point in having a high-fashion planner with no purpose.  Things you may want to consider include:

  • Month by month inserts.
  • Day by day inserts.
  • Hour by hour inserts.
  • 15 minute increment inserts.
  • Extra slots for credit or business cards.
  • Place holder ribbons or tabs.
  • Address book.
  • Extra note pages.

Size and Accessories

Planners and organisers come in a range of sizes to fit the buyer's needs.  They also come with some nifty extras that may help make everything from paying your bills to doing the grocery shopping a bit easier.

Size Variations:

  • Small pocket-planners .
  • Notebook-sized planners.
  • Small travel planners clutch style straps (some are detachable).

Accessories:

The Closings

Keep your inserts and all those extra sticky notes secure with these different options.

Zip 

Especially helpful if you have loose pens or papers.  Zip planners are more often made from nylon, are easy to clean and extremely durable.

Snap 

Popular on leather organizers, snaps are not as secure as zips, but more secure than slip-tabs. They can enhance the look of the planner and often match the pen that comes with the set.

Slip-Tab 

Slip-tabs offer a stream-lined look with little security.  As long as you don't toss around your planner in a bookbag or suitcase, the closure should remain intact.

Metal Lock 

On par with zips, metal locks often come with a key or twist button that secures the lock into place.  No matter what the circumstance, it is difficult to nudge the lock open.

 

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