My 2026 Plum Planner 

I know, I know, I have been hinting at my new planner a few times, and I know we’re all deep into planning this year, what with Sarah’s book, some awesome planner giveaways, and general talk about best tools to plan (digital or analog, or both?). Some people are sticking with their trusted systems, while others are branching out and trying something new this year.

I am trying something new (again). While I do a lot of planning online these days (Google Calendar and Google Tasks are my friends!), I also still gravitate towards paper (as so many of you as well!), and I am using both digital and analog in conjunction. But today, I’ll be talking about my new paper planner.

To be honest, I still miss the INKWell Press Planner* that I had years ago. It was my absolute favorite planner, but they switched from a spiral-bound to an exclusively disk-bound system, and I just couldn’t do it. I despise disk-bound (I am sorry if you love it, but it’s not for me), and I was deeply saddened to have to turn my back on them. I have been trying to find a replacement ever since.

I tried bullet journals for a couple of years, I had Fringe Studio* Planners (because they were simple and (very) affordable), a Natural Life Planner*, and last year – out of desperation – a very simple (bound) Eccolo Planner* (which I ignored for most of the year and then sorta started using towards the end of the year. Not sure if I blame it on the planner or just the year that I had.)

You must know that I am a bit picky when it comes to planners. I am planner Goldilocks, if you will. I like my planner not too small and not too big (7×9 in is my preferred size), I prefer spiral-bound (but not too small and not too bulky), I appreciate a simple design with a little bit of color (but not too much color, preferably “muted” or pastel) with some goal planning options, but not a gazillion trackers, and I prefer good paper quality. I realize I am asking a lot, and all for a reasonable price. But I also know that the more the planner meets my expectations, the more I will use it. (There is really no joy in using a planner that doesn’t work for you.)

I looked at many options. SO MANY OPTIONS. I don’t know how many times I asked you all for recommendations, and I researched and evaluated them. Thank you.

I don’t want to keep you in suspense any longer: the new planner I picked is from Plum Paper*. 

So far, the Plum Planner is checking all the boxes. I paid a little more than I was hoping to spend, but if this turns out to be THE planner for me, I will be thrilled to have paid the price for it.

The layout/design reminds me a lot of the Inkwell Press Planner. While the Inkwell Press Planner used to have some extra nice-to-haves (hardcover, an attached elastic band closure, and a snap-in ruler/page marker), I am pretty happy with what the Plum Planner offers.

It has colorful monthly tabs, and what I really like is that it’s fully customizable. You can choose from daily and weekly layouts, vertical or horizontal, with boxes or without, with lines or without. I chose a simple blank, default layout, but you can customize each page with headings and colors, as you wish. Oh, and you can choose if your week starts on a Sunday or Monday. (ALWAYS Monday for me. You?)

There aren’t any pages for habit tracking, but I don’t do a lot of that (on paper) anyway. I track workouts and water in my Garmin app, food in MyFitnessPal, and I can write down everything else on the weekly pages. However, every month has a page for birthdays, special events, and things to remember.

There is a double-sided pocket folder in the back, and I added a vinyl page protector pouch as an extra.

The cover was also customizable. You can choose the design/pattern and add the year and custom text. I chose one of my favorite mantras for 2026. 

You don’t have to,
You get to.

Have you heard of the Plum Planner? Are you using a paper planner this year?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.