Scrapcraftastic

If you have dabbled even a little bit in the Planner Community, you know it can be a very expensive hobby, and it seems on the surface that you need “ALL THE THINGS”, as we say, to create a beautiful spread, but is this really true?

Most serious planners not only frequent Etsy shops, but the big box craft supply stores are a favorite destination too. Not everyone has access to craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Joann, and Michaels. Ordering online is an option, but shipping is an additional cost. Even with an Amazon Prime membership, there is additional cost involved for the membership.

Tuesday Morning, which is more like a discount or closeout store is also a nice options for planning and crafting supplies. Because it is closeout, what you find in there is pretty hit or miss. For example, if you would like a Value Pack Sticker Book by The Happy Planner, you may not find any planner stickers at all.

Theses are by no means the only options for crafts supplies online or in your local area. These are only some of the popular go to places for craft and planning supplies.

It’s not just the planner supplies that can put a dent in your budget. An Erin Condren, Filofax, Happy Planner, Kikki K, Webster’s Pages, just to name a few. Even a finely crafted Traveler’s Notebook like those available from Mystics Little Gifts, Foxy Fix, or Chic Sparrow may be a little tough on your budget.

Recently, I set out to see if I could create planner spreads as fun, functional and decorative as what you would see in higher end planners and Traveler’s Notebooks, but with low cost supplies and a planner that was only $1 from the Dollar Tree.

Dollar Tree has a Planner!

The Dollar Tree (JOT) planners are similar to the typical inserts used in Traveler’s Notebooks. They come in two sizes.

The larger size fits well in a B6 (5″ x 7″) Traveler’s Notebook and the smaller size will fit in a Personal Size (3.75″ x 6.75″) Traveler’s Notebook.

The B6 size is available in two styles, a monthly and a weekly, both are dated. Although I only have weekly versions of the personal size planner, I think I recall seeing a monthly version in years past. I just did not pick one up for 2019.

With saddle-stitched binding, these planners, do not have the best quality paper. My guess is that it is at best 20 lb paper. An extra light weight piece of chipboard is the actual cover of the planner, with a thin vinyl dust jacket that comes in a few colors including an electric pink, black, navy blue and dark red.

The Dollar Tree planners include the usual weights and measures, comparison charts, and space for contacts. Overall it’s a great option if you are planning on a budget, looking to supplement your existing planning system. The Dollar Tree planners are also an inexpensive way to test out using a Traveler’s Notebook before investing in printed or printable inserts and notebooks..

I use washi tape, printable planner stickers, Wal-Mart’s Pen + Gear stickers and a few stickers I designed and cut myself to decorate my Dollar Tree planner.

The Challenge

I challenged myself to create beautiful and functional planner spreads that are budget friendly. The results were so exciting that I am looking for other inexpensive planners to work with is well. Check out this playlist of Plan With Me videos using a Dollar Tree planner.

If you have been hesitant about decorative planning or planning in general, because of budget concerns or feeling like you need “All The Things”, remember, planning is not a contest. All you really need to plan is a pen or even pencil and a piece of paper, or something to write on…. Even without all the extras, the Dollar Tree planners make a nice addition to most Traveler’s Notebook setups.

But if you choose to dive in to “pretty” planning, you can create those photo worthy planner spreads without destroying your budget!

What is your favorite budget friendly planner? Do you have any tips or tricks for planning on a budget? Let me know in the comments below.

If you’re a true DIY enthusiast like me, you might want to print your own inserts or planner. Check out my Printable Inserts here and get started. Not sure where to start? Visit the HOW TO PRINT page for a sample to practice printing, and detailed instructions on printing and cutting your inserts.