The Happy Planner: Your Ultimate Guide
Are you curious about the Happy Planner? Find out what it is and see all the details (photos and video!). Great list of ideas for accessories and tips to get you started. Get all the info here!
Did you know that there is subculture of “planner people?” Now – before we go on, let me clarify that I mean that in the most complimentary way. I just recently took a free class at Michaels where we were introduced to the Happy Planner, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it! (Scroll down to the bottom of the post for a video of the planner in action).
What is a Happy Planner?
If you are new to the Me & My Big Ideas Happy Planner (also known as the Create 365 Planner or MAMBI planner), let me tell you what it is: it’s a basic planner with calendar pages, but it’s a LOT more interesting for those of us that like to be creative.
It’s not just a boring planner with a grid! The colors and graphics are bold and vibrant or soft and beautiful, depending on the planner you choose (and there are a lot of styles).
As you can imagine, you’ll use the Happy Planner to plan your months, weeks, and daily activities. But here’s the difference between the HP and a regular planner – you’re going to use all sorts of art supplies, stickers, pens, pencils, tapes, and other fun craft goodies to accent the planner and turn it into more of a creative journal and scrapbook. Yes – it serves a dual purpose. I’ll explain more below.
(Grab some free planner printables here!)
What’s Inside the 365 Planner?
Your Create 365 Planner typically includes:
- an 18-month planner with tabbed dividers
- weekly and monthly calendar pages
- colorful pages, quotes, and gorgeous fonts throughout (that fit with the theme of the planner you select)
- space for creative planning and scheduling – including stickers, doodles, reminders, and more
- rings so that pages can be easily removed or added (you can add anything with this punch)
What Sizes do Happy Planners Come In?
There are four Happy Planner sizes currently (values are approximate):
- The classic Happy Planner covers are 7.75” x 9.75” and the pages are 7” x 9.25”
- The skinny classic Happy Planner covers are 5.5″ x 9.75″ and the pages are 4.125″ x 9.25″
- The Mini Happy Planner covers are 5.125” x 7.5” and the pages are 4.5” x 7”
- The Big Happy Planner covers are 9” x 11.25” and the pages are 8.5” x 11”
Where Can I Buy a 365 Happy Planner?
You can get one online at Amazon (accessories too), but the best selection is at the craft store. That means you’ll be making a trip to AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann, or Michaels! I purchased mine from the Michaels Create 365 Planner display.
And I chose my planner based on the same criteria I expect you would use: my favorite cover!
The covers of the Happy Planner are beautiful – I really, really love them! They are also laminated for people who are hard on their planners like me (guilty as charged). Having said that, I did see some girls at the class had customized their own covers. That was cool too!
The inside of the planner has pretty calendar pages and dividers with a different graphic or quote on each. This is what mine looks like above. Before each month starts, there’s a place that lists:
- Holidays
- Birthdays (you write these in)
- Important dates
- This month’s Goals
- Currently – reading, planning, watching, cooking, eating, drinking, pinning, crafting, listening, feeling, and more!
I hope you’re starting to get an idea of what the planner is like. Here’s another sample:
You’re going to want to either flip through in person or look at some images online to see what’s best for you and fits your creative personality the most!
So let’s say you bought your Create 365 planner – what’s next?
How to Customize the MAMBI Planner
This is where it REALLY gets fun. You’re going to decorate your MAMBI planner with all sorts of items. This is also where people get confused, so let me tell you where I started. I bought some stickers.
MAMBI STICKS
Now – the are a bajillion stickers in existence. You can purchase your own, or the brand ones (a small sampling of which are shown above).
What I have to say about the MAMBI ones is that they are made to go with the planners in terms of design – and they fit in the allotted spaces like borders and date areas quite nicely. They’ve also provided areas to write in a lot of the stickers.
You would NOT believe the selection: washi inspired, gold foil, clear, chalkboard . . . and in every style you can imagine! There are family themed, school, vacation, wedding, fitness, travel – it can be really overwhelming.
So my advice to you – what do you have coming up in the next few months? Buy for that, as well as a few general themed that you might like. Don’t go crazy. You can always go back to the store or place another online order!
I started with:
- Everyday Reminders – going to use these for work AND personal
- Colorful Dots – love all the colors of these symbols and shapes
- Don’t Forget – these go in the vertical calendar areas and I’m always forgetting (ha ha!)
- Washi Sticker Pack – love that these are made of washi material!
Yeah, I went a little crazy with the stickers. And related to the stickers, there is washi tape available. Washi tape is cool to use to line the pages, to mark important dates, or just to decorate in general.
It’s patterned, so adds instant “pretty” to the page. I already have tons of washi tape so I didn’t purchase any . . but you could!
THE HAPPY PLANNER STICKY NOTES
Here’s what I like about the sticky notes – they are removable. And temporary. You can transfer them from day to day if need be, rip them off, throw them away.
You can also easily place them on your dashboards (I’ll address those next) so you know what you have to do for the day – then you can rip them off and replace them for the next day.
I got the “To Do” pack. I like that the left edge is pre-punched so I can keep it in the planner. Of course you are welcome to get any sort of Post It notes or flags that you like! These were in such fun shapes . . . I was sold. But you can also cut Post Its into fun shapes. 😀
MAMBI PLANNER DASHBOARDS
About those Dashboards. When I first heard the term “dashboards” from the planning people in my class – I had no idea what they were talking about.
Dashboards are just clear dividers with tabs at the top. They can be constantly taken out and replaced in various areas of your planner, including the current week, an important upcoming week, or anywhere you need a bookmark. The surface is clear plastic for stickers, temporary notes, etc. that can easily be removed. I bought one pack.
MAMBI PLANNER FOLDERS
The planner has folders . . . which for me, were a MUST have! These folders clip into the rings like the sticky notes, and they hold receipts, bills, invitations stamps, photos, etc. I absolutely have to have these for work. So I bought one pack (the design you see in the middle above).
There’s one last thing I want to share with you that I learned about in my Michaels class.
HAPPY PLANNER EXTENSION PACKS
Extension packs are used if you have a specific need. There are four extension packs I think are pretty cool (there are also too but these are my favorite):
- Fitness – 4 months of weekly food and exercise logs – 24 pages and 4 dividers. 2 sheets of stickers to help you customize
- Home Planner – includes to-Do Lists for the home, Meal Planners, House Cleaning Schedules, Budgets (45 pages)
- Recipe Organizer – 20 total pages with 4 dividers; a sticker sheet that helps you organize
- Wedding Planner – includes 42 pages and 10 dividers: Vendors, Inspiration, Budget, Checklists, Wedding Party, Guests, Wedding Events, Wedding Day, and Honeymoon
Now I know what you are going to say to me. Let me just guess:
“Amy – you’re nuts. I can’t afford all of this! If I want to become a planner person, I’m not buying all of this stuff.”
You know what? I totally agree with you! This post was meant to convey what I learned about the Happy Planner and share the possibilities. Here’s what I think you should do if you’re interested.
Tips for Getting Started with Happy Planner
- Get a Happy Planner. There are frequent sales online or at Michaels (download the app and/or get your coupon); ask for it for your birthday/Christmas/other holiday; get it in your hands.
- Watch videos. Me & My Big Ideas makes the planner, and you can see their videos here.
- Start decorating with pens, pencils, stickers, or anything else that you have in your stash. Do you have a Cricut or a Xyron sticker maker? Use what you got! Then you’ll know what you want to buy as you go along.
- Get inspired by browsing planner layouts. Check out Pinterest – Google “Happy Planner” online . . . let other people’s creativity inspire you. Do what they are doing until you find your own way. Also search on Facebook for groups. You will NOT believe how many there are! You can see thousands of layouts.
- Download some free printables to use with your planner. Me & My Big Ideas has a tag on their blog for download some freebies here.
- Take a class or go to a meet up. Enroll for a Michaels planner class (mine was free) the next time you see one on the schedule, or see if there’s a meet up near you on Facebook or Meetup.com. You’ll be surprised at how many there are nationwide!
Most importantly: don’t intend to be one of those “planner people” on your first day. I was truly inspired by some of the gorgeous layouts in my Michaels class and thought “wow – how I am ever going to do that?” But you know what . . . I’ve thought about that before EVERY single one of my creative pursuits! I find my path eventually.
Want to see more of the Happy Planner and what you can do with it? Just watch the video below!!
Happy Planner looks and sounds like so much fun!! I love the different designs and the stickers look so neat!! I wish I could do this but I am so NOT creative. Looks like fun though!!
I understand how you feel. I was the same way at first. I am not a creative person, cannot draw and my lettering lacks. BUT I allowed it not to be perfect and just decided to let it be fun. It’s been a blast, I hope you give your self permission to just have some fun.
I also use The Happy Planner and am very pleased with it! I started with it last year and have ALL the accessories! Great Review! I simply love your blog!
The Happy Planner sounds fabulous.
I have stage 4 lung cancer and I have someone actually helping me to scrapbook “the final days.” If I had only known about this planner, I might would have invested in it because it is definitely adaptable to my needs at this time.
Great article! TFS
Hi there! I’m so sorry to hear about your cancer. 🙁 Coincidentally, my MIL has stage 4 lung cancer. I will be praying for both of you! Glad you liked the article!
Amy!!! I was so excited to read this post. I received a Happy Planner as a gift at SNAP and I’ve been counting down the days until I can start using it. I was a bit lost about how to get the most out of my planner though. I think I opened every single link you shared above. I’m heading to Michaels during my lunch break to take a look at the Happy Planner section. 🙂 Thanks for all the info.
Woo! I’m still figuring mine out . . . I’ll be doing another post too. To show layouts, etc. I hope I do a good job! :0
Thanks for this I just bought mine and am collecting assories so when mine starts in July I’ll be ready.
Keep up dating I’m not that creative and have a lot to learn!
I found out about planners one night on youtube and it has been a blast “collecting” stuff ever since. I can’t wait until I can get started!!! I bought the “Hello Life” one. About the same time I learned about Etsy LOL like some of the people said above me I’m not super creative but it’s just for me so I’m excited to get going on it!!
Yay SheriAnn! We can learn together! I’m collecting goodies too . . . 😀
Hi just bought my first planner today!!! It starts in July. For the expandable, like the recipe one, does that go in the planner or is it a separate planner altogether?
Mine starts in July too! I actually just recently bought the fitness expandable – it goes into the planner. You can keep it all together but what I actually did so my planner wouldn’t be too thick was take out January 2017 – June and then put the fitness part in the back. The fitness pack is four months so I could have actually chosen July, August, Sept, and Oct and put them with the correct months up front . . . I guess I’ll see how it works out! I’m such a newbie too 😀 I will say that I did want to take out those extra months until I need them because with all the inserts and stickers, it was getting big!
I NEED this planner!
I bought my first planner yesterday (new BIG Teacher Edition) after being coerced by a co-worker who bought one last year. I loved it so much that I just bought a second one (classic Happy Planner) today. ? I’m going to a class at Michaels tomorrow to meet some of those “planner people” as you affectionately called them. 😉 I cannot wait to start customizing my planners! Thanks for the wonderful blog post. I wish I’d found it before I went shopping.
I just got my Happy Planner today at Hobby Lobby as they had a 40% off coupon 🙂 but I’m glad that I saw your post about the classes at Michael’s. I checked their website and they have a Free class near me on July 24th. So excited because I am new to this planner stuff and I want to know how I can use it efficiently and to see how other people are using it. Can’t wait and thank you so much for this wonderful information.
Hi there Amy,
I see you have your personal pictures on your planner, tell me how did you get them that small? What are the dimensions? Please share.
Thanks
Cindy
Hi Cindy! You can resize in a graphic design program – or even a free online program like PicMonkey! The two sizes of boxes are 2 1/4 tall by 1 1/2 wide on the daily pages, and then 1 1/2 square on the monthly pages (this is for the Happy Planner only). You can resize to fit one or more boxes and print on adhesive paper 😀
I’m so happy I read your post about the Happy Planner! It looks like a fun “upgrade” to the Arc system found at Staples Office Supply or the very fancy Circa system found at Levengers, both of which I use (in combination, since Circa is so expensive). I’m definitely going to check it out at Michaels. I do suggest to users of the Happy Planner to check out your local Staples for any rings or covers you may want to add — very reasonably priced. I got a beautiful “journal” size pink real leather cover for under $16!!! Love it! Thank you, thank you for this post!
Hi Ethyl! I never thought of going to Staples for supplies! I’ll check that out!
Hi,
Do the ARC 8 1/2 x 11 pages fit into the larger happy planner? Looks like their dimensions are different?
Thanks!
Ginger I found that the larger Happy Planner pages are 8.5 x 11 so it should work!
I’ve checked these out but I am concerned about how well these hold up? I’m not crazy about the plastic rings or that therapist doesn’t connect around it. Did you have trouble with this or did it hold up well?
Hi Brittany! I’m not having any problems at all with the pages holding up! The rings are great and nothing is tearing out. If you keep putting in and removing the same pages over and over I imagine you could wear them out, but you really don’t have a need for that. Having said that . . . if a ring ever cracks or anything, you can buy replacement rings. I haven’t had the need!
Great article! I am not a planner, but had so many art projects bouncing in my head I decided to invest in one to manage them. I was just looking for a simple daily journal, but they were all over $20 at Office Max, and remembered that I could do a lot better at Michaels with a coupon, and they’d be pretty too.
So off I went to Michaels and picked out the one with the watercolor blobs. So far I’ve written my name in it. What to do? (Did I mention I’m not a sticker-person either? LOL!) So I’ve been trolling the web and stumbled into this site. So far it’s the most helpful. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now I’ll have to go back and reexamine the stickers and fun stuff. I might even get me a pack of Avery stickers and make my own. I’m starting to think that this project manager might become a new creative project in itself.
I purchased the Best Year Ever journal, you can start it at any month, tabs are blank, the kit comes with Montth and days of week stickers. I have been looking at this journal for a week and decided to start it in January 2017, I now know I can get extra pages. THank you for all the information. The classes at Micheals sounds just what I would be interested in. You answered all my questions.
I have always been a “planner person” but I bought my first Happy Planner today and I can’t wait to start creating! I think it will be great for planing my upcoming July 2017 wedding.
I just picked up my 1st planner this week and I love this and am a bit overwhelmed… but with a post like this it will make the adventure some much easier – I loved it! I now need to learn how to use my planner, and explore my creativity. Let the adventure begin. Keep the posts coming. Thanks
I just bought my planner today. You article was great. Can’t wait to get started.
Awesome read. I’m on my second Happy planner and as someone who used to not be able to commit to a planner, I have finally settled!
I’m curious about the girls in class that had different covers…… I’ve found on my planner, with the expander rings, the cover keeps popping off because I have too much crap in my planner. I was taping 4 x 4 photos with washi or regular tape that obviously made it fatter. I finally got a little Xyron sticker maker and,earned how to resize.
I do love the planner though. Any ideas about the cover are welcomed. Hoping the smaller pictures help.
Hi Alexis! Thank you so much!
So I *thought* some of the girls had larger discs . . . but now I’m not seeing anything larger than the expander rings when I search. I guess the only other thing I can recommend is to divide your planner between two? 1st six months of the year and then the other? I’m going to ask around and will let you know if I come up with anything. The Happy Planner folks need to make those big rings I thought I saw 😀
I am such a perfectionist until sometimes it stops me from even trying something new. This sounds like what I need but overwhelming at the same time. I use electronic planners for scheduling (Cozi- personal schedule, Outlook- for work). I am really just looking for something to journal in, keep my personal to do lists and work notes- Is this customizable enough for that? Does anyone know how this compares to Recollections that Michael’s carries?
Hi Nicole! SO – given what you’ve said, I would start with a Recollections planner. Go from there and see what you like. That way you are making a small(er) investment to see how it works for you. Michaels Recollections has a few selections and some have room for journaling. 😀
Great article ! Unfortunately I’m living in Sweden and the planner culture is not so widespread yet. I get my planner stuff online, but my hobby comes with a price. Most of the shops that shipping to Sweden almost price the same amout of money for the product as for shipping. Ridiculous! The planners you find here is not build to be personalized, like The Happy Planner, Erin Condren or the Carpe diem planners. I’m jealous of you guys ? In january my first Happy Planner arrives and I hope it will be perfect for my planning ideas. I tried the Erin Condren vertical this year but I just can’t manage to create such nice spreads you can find here at pintsrest or in Youtube videos. I hope you did find a good way to plan your life in 2016 with your Happy Planner ?☺
I love my Happy Planner!! I’m a little confused about the 18 month. It starts in July and ends in December of the next year. So when you finish that boos you are ready for January and it starts in July. So, the second planner you loose 6 months. Can someone give me an explanation on this.
That’s a great question Patti! I’m not sure why it’s that way. I will say that you can get a six month expansion pack to solve that problem: http://amzn.to/2ifuTB9. I know it’s buying something else, but it seems to be the only way to bridge the gap!
So I’m having a hard time because January 1st is a Sunday so it shorts me 6 days that I need! 🙁 of course I waited till dec 30th to realize it 🙁
Idk what to do any suggestions
Angel I would search for a free printable online – or Etsy – I don’t know if something is available but I bet you can find it!
Is the planner reusable with new inserts every year or do you have to buy a new one every year
Hi Heather! You can buy new calendar inserts 😀
@Amy, where? I have looked.
What do you do for months that don’t give you all of the days in the weekly portion. Such as January. The weekly section ends on Sunday, January 29, no days for the 30th and 31st.
Hi there! I just checked my weekly section. I do have the days, but sometimes they go into the next month’s tab. Did you check there? Flip to February and see if you see them!
Thank you for all the tips!? I just got my HP and hopefully this weekend I can get it started.
I had noticed that for 2017 November and December are missing pages!!! Please check everyone – I am missing a page of Nov and Dec for the monthly spread.
I am reaching out to them to see why? I would love to hear if anyone else has this ?
Oh no! I’d return it! 🙁
I’m sorry I’m having a tough time finding the 2017 calendar inserts!! Everyone is telling me I have to buy a new planner, all together. Does it say 2017 Calendar on the package? I really don’t want to throw this away as I’ve totally enjoyed it, but I’m not spending $35 every year. Thank you!
Hi Cindy! So far all I’ve found is the six-month extension packs: http://amzn.to/2jSsUk8. I think that would be the best way to get your added months without spending a fortune! Etsy has some 2017 options too, but for some you will need the punch: http://amzn.to/2jSoh9J. Not all of them though!
I bought an 8.5×11 HP for 2017 and I just LOVE it. The best thing to do is buy the page punch that goes with it.Then anything you want goes in.After January is passed I plan to collage the back of the divider so I can use it every year. A basic daily list gets pulled out and comes with me and anything not done goes onto the next day. These I printed from a free online source. So far I have a weekly 1 page, a monthly Christmas planner page and a project page I’ve added to each month. Because these are generic I can transfer them to next year. I’m still working on planning my planner. The ARC components fit perfectly and there are rings available with them as well. Cardstock is great for divisions with purchased or homemade tabs . am just having so much fun putting this together!. GREAT POST thank you.
LOVE the cardstock idea for dividers! That’s great, thank you!
Thank you so much for this. I am using another planner, but decided to switch to The Happy Planner because Michael’s has them on sale for 60% off. I was overwhelmed by all the “stuff” that goes with it, and left with only the planner. This will help me narrow down my choices to what really suits my lifestyle.
Hi! Great article, I just bought one last night. But, I also see there are things called “filler pages”, and was wondering that when your planner runs out if you could just go buy more pages or a new planner? TIA!
How many pages thick is the Classic Happy Planner (which I think is the one you got)? I can’t find the information anywhere!
Thanks,
Jen
Mine is 100 pages and 18 dividers (the dividers have calendar pages on the back!)
Thank you for this. I have been given a Happy Planner and was feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options. My favourite part is the wonderful sticker notes you can get. Oh so many 🙂
I pretty much love everything Happy Planner. It is confusing at first . . . you’ll get used to it and have a blast!!
So happy to have read this. I am waiting for my mini HP and was searching for ideas about the Happy Planner. Love this!
So i just bought my first one but its super expensive! Would i have to rebuy one every year or is there a pack with extensions for the next year?
Hi Gabriella! Thanks for reading! There are six month extension packs available from Create 365 (at Michaels too) but also Etsy sellers offer them . . . or you can probably find free printables. You would need the page punch though. If you keep the planner for a long time it’s worthwhile to invest in the punch with so many freebies out there!
I have everything to start my planner… this video was very helpful on how to start planning… I love this New Hobby I started… I look forward to becoming more involved in it…. Thank you for sharing
Tammy
Thank you for reading Tammy!
How do you open the rings?
The rings don’t open – the pages just go onto them when punched. It’s hard to explain but you see it clearly in person!
I have trouble knowing which sticker packages are for the classic happy planner only. Sometimes Amazon does not indicate it and I’m afraid to buy it. Is there any way to know that?
I’m in Spain
Thanks
I love these! So simple for those of us that are somewhat DIY impaired ?
I’m just starting to set up my very 1st planner for doing journaling in and need some hints and tips on how to do this and put my journal together to use it
Diane I recommend going on Facebook because you can ask a lot of questions in those groups! Try these: https://www.facebook.com/search/groups/?q=happy%20planner&epa=SERP_TAB
The communities are very nice 🙂
Oh my gosh, this was SUPER helpful! I’m getting a new planner for next year in school and I am determined to stay organized these upcoming semesters. Thank you!
Does Happy Planner release new planners for January if your 18month planner ends in December?
I’m not sure but I haven’t seen any. Typically you have to do the extension pack :/
Happy planner makes a 12 month that starts in January. Now the question is… for those of us that have an 18 month do you buy an extension pak for the months or do yo buy a new year?
Pacific Time
Hi there! I would like to get tabs that have the month only no calendar attached to it, so that I can reuse them each year? Is that possible? Thanks!!
I believe they have refills you can use for that!
Where can you get customized paper inserts? I’ve asked 14 people on etsy and no luck. I get it that most people probably fly to vacation. But in our family we drive. It may be few hours to 2 days incarcerated with 3 kids but we drive there. We take at least 2 roadtrips every year. I’d love to just buy premade layout to fill out not make my own. 🙁 Not that creative!
Hi Susan! Honestly, I’m not sure where to get them. What I would do is go onto Facebook and join a Happy Planner group and ask there! I wish I could be of more help.
@Amy, @Susan You can get them on specific sites that sell them like Jane’s Agenda, who also does ring bound.
I just bought a Happy Planner and can’t wait to get started. Thanks to all who started this up.
When do the Big Happy Planners typically go on sale (either the ones that start in January or the ones that start in July or September or whenever the academic ones start). Because i really just want the cover, the monthly dividers and the rings. Thanks!
I just wanted a phone number to speak to with a CSR. That’s all . Why can’t I just call you!
Hi there! I’m not associated with Me & My Big Ideas, who makes Happy Planner, but you can get ahold of them here: https://thehappyplanner.com/pages/contact
thick is the best idea ever thank you so much for the great ideas to get started.
Thank You
Barbara Mitchell
Thank you for reading!
Hello. Is there a dashboard sold now that are just as thick as the one you linked?
They have some on the happy planner site now. If you don’t see ones you like, I’d check Amazon or hit Michaels up!