Thursday 11 December 2008

Gail's Planner - Initial Review

I got Gail’s TDDUP Life Planner the other day (HURRAH!), and having had poked through it, I thought I would give my (initial) impressions, as I’ve had some queries about it.

It’s set up like a regular spiral bound day planner with lots of space for organizing day to day events like appointments, outings, reminders, etc. (and it includes the last week of December, so you can get your new habits started early!). Lots of room to make notes and to jot down thoughts or ideas.

You start out with several exercises designed to track your spending, your fixed expenses, where you currently stand in relation to savings vs debt, and lay out your big goals. What do you want in 5 years? Where do you stand now? Habits: Good or bad, they go in here, too.

Each month there’s a Monthly Plan, along with a section to track your variable spending (The Magic Jars!) and advice on how to stay organized, make necessary changes, etc. It’s set up on a weekly basis, along with a “to do” list and suggestions for shaving and saving – there’s even a column to show what you’ve saved on a daily basis! “Wish lists” for those items you want - and will need to save for – are included as well, so you have a place to write them down and keep track of costs and savings.

And, of course, it has “Gail-isms” scattered throughout to prompt action and thought!

I don’t generally use daytimers. The intention is there, but I always forget I’ve got them and they languish, empty and unused instead. Although the basis of this one is the same (organizing and keeping track of things), it’s prompting actual ACTION from you as well; you need to participate to see the results, not just note down that you’re meeting so and so for lunch on such and such a day so you won’t forget. How much did you spend on lunch? Did you drive? Did you stop to pick up a card at the drugstore for that birthday you almost forgot?

And don’t forget: you need to take responsibility for all of this!

8 comments:

dinah34 said...

it sounds a lot more complex then i initially thought it would be. neat-o!

Saver Queen said...

Awesome. I can't wait to get mine! (Or rather, I hope I get it for xmas... I've done enough hinting!)

Canadian Saver said...

Thanks so much for the review!! I'm definitely thinking of getting this :-)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the review!!

I just ordered mine!! :) I can't wait until it arrives

Sharon S said...

Hi there-wow, it sounds a real good investment! Hope you can keep it going to get the best out of it!

Money Minder said...

It sounds really good. I am totally addicted to my Palm Pilot. I haven't used a paper based planner for about 3 years. Now, I kind of wish I did. Maybe Gail will come out with a software version :)

Canadian Saver said...

I'm still debating about whether to get it or not... I'm not sure I'll use it since I do all my tracking on Excel...

Where did you get it from, her website?

Anonymous said...

That sounds really good. I will try it out~!