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Controlling the chaos {and a free printable planner}

Controlling the chaos is much easier when you have a datebook that works for you. This free printable datebook have everything you need to keep control of the chaos without being overwhelming. There are month at a glace and week at a glance pages. Enough space to keep track o five people, plus a place for the dinner menu, a grocery list and your top five priorities for the week.

{edited to add: This datebook and post were originally published in 2015. The datebook has been updated and now covers January 2017 – June 2018. When you download the weekly planner, it will be the current edition.}

I lost my datebook …in December.

I’ve kept it together these last six months, but just barely. I always feel like I’m forgetting something. 

We were in the middle of Nutcracker week when it went missing. I searched everywhere (including calling the stores I had been to the day before). It was no where to be found. 

In January I broke down and bought a new datebook, but I knew it was just a temporary solution. Planners are so personal and I just couldn’t find one that really fit. I’ve had this problem before and just made my own planner. This is the one I lost. 

The problem was, I couldn’t find it on my computer anymore…until Sunday when I thought to look on our external hard drive. 

It was like finding a long, lost friend. I set aside the afternoon to update it so it’s good until June 2017. Yep, I need at least an 18 month planner. 

What’s so great about this planner?

It includes everything I need it to without being overwhelming.

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There are month at a glance pages and week at a glance pages.

Controlling the Chaos printable plannerFor the weekly pages there is…

  • room to keep track of 5 people
  • a place to jot down what we’re having for dinner each night
  • a small area for groceries – this isn’t a full grocery list just the things we’re out of or really low on and I don’t want to forget them. I write my real list on a scrap paper and put it the datebook with a paper clip that I use to clip onto the month we are currently in. 
  • a place for errands and if I delegated that errand to someone else – we have three drivers in our home right now, so I don’t feel like I have to do all the errands. 
  • My top five priorities this week…not day, but week….not 10, but 5. 

In the back of the datebook is a place for goal writing, keeping a list of books I want to read, a place to record gift ideas and other notes. 

Really, it seemed a shame to spend all those hours and not share this with you. So, it’s in our shop, and you can download it for FREE.  Just click the download button below, put a copy in your cart and a box with your cart items will pop up. Then you will need to click on the checkout Paypal button (you don’t need a Paypal account and you won’t be charged anything) and a form will pop up, just fill out the form and your datebook will be emailed to you. click here toDownloadPrinting instructions: Print pages double sides. I started by printing all the even pages and then printing the odd pages on the back of them. Page 1 gets printed on the back of page 2. This is very important 😉

Setting it up instructions: Once you have the pages printed, cut them in half so you have two stacks of pages that are 5.5″X 8.5″. Now, you’re going to co-mingle the stacks. There is a system to this and you’ll catch on really quick. Put the cover page (the one that say “2015-2017 The Busy Mom’s Planner”) face down between the stacks. Then put the first one from the other stack on top. Continue layering, stopping to check that you are putting them in the correct order. If you get out of order, you should be able to go back and fix it, no problem. 

Binding instructions:  Find a pretty piece of scrapbook paper and cut it in half (if it’s 8.5″X11″). Then take the whole thing to your local office supply store and ask them to put a clear cover on the front and back and spiral bind it. 

Controlling the chaos is much easier when you have a datebook that works for you. This free printable datebook have everything you need to keep control of the chaos without being overwhelming. There are month at a glace and week at a glance pages. Enough space to keep track o five people, plus a place for the dinner menu, a grocery list and your top five priorities for the week.

 

Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy!

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Thanks for sharing with your friends!

2017 printable templates

Tuesday 17th of January 2017

Thanks for the marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will often come back at some point. I want to encourage you to continue your great job, have a nice day!

Natasha

Monday 1st of August 2016

Hi! I am so excited to find your website and your planner. I have been trying to "love" my online calendar but am really missing writing in a paper one. I love the purse size and that it is free! We are on a tight budget right now, so free is such a blessing!

I am having trouble printing it out. I am printing it on my computer, double sided, and I noticed that it is printing upside down on the back side. I did start in Aug. of 2016 (the current date) so am not sure if that would mess with it, but do you have any suggestions to help me fix it? Thanks so much!

Angi Schneider

Monday 1st of August 2016

Hi Natasha, I'm so glad you're excited about the planner. Honestly, I'm not sure why it would be doing that. Have you tried turning the page around, so that the the other end feeds in first? Whenever I'm printing something that is two sided, I usually do the first few pages and make sure I have it down before printing the whole thing.

Serene in Singapore

Saturday 16th of January 2016

Thank you for this! Will be printing it out and replacing the current one I am using.

Angi Schneider

Saturday 16th of January 2016

Your so welcome! I hope it blesses you.

Susie

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

Hi, I really appreciate a planner this size. I've seen several others that were free but they were 8 1/2 by 11 and that's just too big for me. See Sara, everybody is different, isn't it wonderful. This is an absolutely wonderful site. Thanks so much for all you do. I see you have another free ecourse, Financial Renovation. What a great way to start the new year!!!

Angi Schneider

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

Thanks for your sweet words. I'm glad the size will work for you, I just love this size.

Mia

Thursday 24th of December 2015

Thank you for this helpful item. I am determined to stay on my organized path so this will definitely help in the new year! God bless!

Angi Schneider

Thursday 24th of December 2015

You're so welcome. I hope you enjoy it.