5 Tips All Happy Planner Beginners Need to Know (#3 is my favorite!)

If you are new to the Happy Planner craze and recently jumped on the bandwagon I have some great tips for you! Happy Planner newbies, don’t worry, I got you! Check out these simple beginner ideas for getting started with your new Happy Planner.

Have you ever been on Instagram or Pinterest and stopped scrolling dead in your tracks when you came across a beautiful planner spread? I know I did, before I heard anything about planner decorating, I was curious to find out more. Then one day while browsing the aisles of Hobby Lobby, there it was, a whole section of Happy Planners! So many colors and stickers and possibilities, I was in organizing heaven!

Are you looking for more ideas to make the most out of your Happy Planner? These Happy Planner Ideas are perfect for you!

A Happy Planner is more than just a planner or calendar. It can be a place that you are free to be artistic, journal, keep memories and express yourself. It can be a way to keep your whole life organized all in a beautiful way. 

Planner decorating is a fun and creative outlet that is completely your own. I don’t consider myself to be super creative or crafty but this is definitely something I was able to get on board with because I was free to make it what I wanted it to be. And, of course, stickers! Who doesn’t love stickers?

So, you may be tempted to run out and buy up the whole Happy Planner aisle. But, before you open your wallets and throw all your money at Hobby Lobby, check out these tips first. 

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.

#1 Happy Planner Basics

There are tons of options when it comes to things like size, layout, and themes. Planners come in 5 sizes:

• Big – 11 discs
• Classic – 9 discs
• Mini – 7 discs
• Skinny Classic – 9 discs
• Skinny Mini – 7 discs

Accessories and stickers come in different sizes as well. Be sure you are getting the accessories that fit your planner. 

Depending on how you like to use your planner, there are 7 different layouts offered. 

• Vertical
• Horizontal
• Monthly
• Dashboard
• Vertical Hourly
• Vertical with Lines
• Vertical Colorblock

#2 Find Your Planning Style

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the different options available. It can be easy to just buy the first thing you see, but a planner is essentially a year long commitment. So if you buy something that isn’t quite your style, you might be tempted to ditch it and start all over. Don’t do that to your wallets! Figure out what your planning style is before you start buying. Your budget will thank you later. 

Check out Youtube and Instagram to get some ideas of what is out there. Do you like bright, cheerful and colorful pages? Neutral or black and white pages? What types of stickers do you like? Do you want to change it up every week with different stickers, or stick to the same sticker book and theme? Do you like a minimalist look? Do you want a more functional planner or do you want to let your creativity shine?

By looking at planners on Instagram you can decide what you like best and go with that theme, instead of haphazardly buying all the things. 

Pro tip: Using neutral pages gives you the freedom to use any color stickers you want. 

#3 Where to Get the Goods

Happy Planners are sold at several places including online at thehappyplanner.com, Amazon, Zulily, or at your local Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Joann’s, Walmart, and sometimes even Marshall’s.

But did you know you can buy sticker bundles from people online? There are Happy Planner buy/sell/trade groups online that offer stickers, planner pages, and accessories. You can buy bundles of stickers or singles sheets, discs, and even planner guts!

Search in Facebook groups for Happy Planner buy/sell/trade or destash groups to find deals and steals galore. Check out The World of Happy Planners, Happy Planner Grab Bags, and Happy Planner Destash Queens Facebook groups. 

Pro tip: Look for Happy Planner destash and buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook

Another great way to save money on planner supplies is to use coupons. Craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Micheal’s and Joann’s always have coupons available on their websites. Some are even 40-50% off a regular priced item. So you can get really good deals on supplies. There’s never really any reason to pay full price when coupons are available. 

Pro tip: Never pay full price! Look for coupons online for your local craft store.

Check Etsy, there are a ton of people selling stickers for Happy Planners and they’re super creative sellers on there and they don’t cost a ton.

#4 Get Inspired

Now that you have picked out your planner, stickers and all the fun accessories to go along with it, it’s time to get inspired. A great way to learn new tips and tricks is to watch Youtube tutorials. You can get amazing ideas for layouts and themes, sticker book flip thrus, and tips and tricks that the pros use.

Some of the most popular Youtube planners are Kell of a Plan, Planning with Bumble, Twinkle Plans Her Day, Squaird Plans, and Eat.Pray.Plan. Watch a few videos to get some new and creative ideas for your next planner spread. 

#5 More to Love

If you want something different and unique for your Happy Planner, look online for shops that sell planner pages and stickers. Etsy is a great place to find unique and custom planner options. For more layout designs and lists, you can join The Printables Vault, where you get new printables each month in different styles.

You may want to try a different planner layout and it’s easy to download and print pages that fit perfectly into your planner. Of course you will need a disc bound hole punch, but it’s definitely worth having in your stash if you want a more custom planner. You can find beautiful sticker options too.

You can also find cute options for free on Pinterest. The possibilities are endless! In fact I have an awesome Resource Library that is full of free planner printables. You can get access here.

Final Thoughts

There’s no right or wrong way to decorate your planner, it’s yours! Get as creative as you want or keep it to a minimum and use your Happy Planner for what it is, a planner. Once you’ve tried a few planner spreads yourself you will find your groove and keep your life beautifully organized.

Want to remember this “5 Tips All Happy Planner Beginners Need to Know” post? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board!