A day planner is an invaluable tool for staying organized and productive. Having a system to plan out your days, weeks, and months can help you manage your time, set goals, and get more done. While quality planners can be purchased, there are also many places where you can find a free day planner to print or use online. Taking advantage of these free resources can save you money while still providing you with a helpful planning tool.
Online Templates
One of the easiest ways to access a free day planner is to find and download a template online. Many sites offer various planner pages and forms that you can customize to print and use. Here are some top places to find free printable daily, weekly, and monthly planner templates:
1. Template.net
Template.net offers a wide selection of free daily planner templates in PDF and Word document formats. They provide blank and formatted templates for scheduling hourly, half-day, and full-day activities. You’ll also find weekly and monthly calendar templates.
2. Vertex42
Vertex42 has free printable daily planner pages with timed schedules from 7am to 7pm. Options include horizontal and vertical layouts, and templates with space for notes. Monthly and yearly planners are also available.
3. PrintablePaper
The PrintablePaper site provides versatile planner pages to print, including daily, weekly, monthly, and annual templates. Styles range from simple grids to decorative designs.
4. PrintablePlanners
PrintablePlanners.com offers a wide range of free planner printables. Daily templates include timed, blank, minimalist, and checklist designs. You’ll also find weekly and monthly calendars, meal planners, budget worksheets, and more.
5. Best Printable
BestPrintable.com has over 50 free printable daily planner pages available. Options include horizontal and vertical layouts, academic planners, and designs with inspirational quotes.
Digital Planners
If you prefer digital planners you can use on your computer or mobile devices, here are some great free options:
6. Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a free online calendar that makes an excellent daily planner. You can view day, week, month, and schedule layouts. Features like creating events, setting reminders, color-coding, adding notes, and sharing calendars provide versatile planning and organization.
7. Calendar.com
Calendar.com offers a nicely designed online daily planner template and the ability to add events, notes, and reminders. You can also integrate your calendar with Google, iCloud, Outlook, and more.
8. 30/30
The 30/30 app provides a free visual daily planner template on mobile or web. It lets you schedule your day in blocks of time and track activities against your plans.
9. Trello
Using Trello boards makes an easy no-frills daily planner. Make lists for the hours of your day and add cards for your to-do items and events.
10. Notion
Notion offers a variety of free planner templates for daily, weekly, and monthly planning. You can customize and color-code to create the perfect digital planner for your needs.
Planner Inserts
If you already have a planner cover or binder you love, look for free printable planner inserts you can add to your existing book. Some options include:
- Planner inserts from Scattered Squirrel
- Monthly planner refills from DayDream Printables
- Editable weekly inserts from Kenarry Design
- Daily, weekly, and monthly inserts from Planner Perfect Printables on Etsy
DIY Planners
If you want to fully customize your planner, print calendar pages and assemble your own book. Some tips:
- Print templates on hole-punched paper or use a 3 hole punch to insert pages in a binder
- Mix and match pages like calendars with note paper or goal worksheets
- Add decorative covers, dividers, or stickers
- Use a disk binding system that allows you to rearrange and add pages
- Watch tutorials on YouTube for how to assemble custom planners
Handcrafting your own daily planner allows you to create a system just right for your needs.
Apps and Software
Specialized apps offer free versions with planner functionality:
- Trello has boards, lists, and cards that can be formatted into a planner.
- Evernote lets you create notes, to-do lists, reminders and can function as a free planner app.
- Notion provides templates for daily, weekly, and monthly planning.
- The Microsoft To Do app is a free task manager that doubles for planner purposes.
Many other project management and note taking tools also offer basic templates and features for planning your days and tracking to-dos. Their free versions may meet simple daily planning needs.
Bullet Journaling
Bullet journaling has become a popular planning method and combines:
- Calendars – Create monthly and future logs
- Daily spreads – Design pages for scheduling each day
- Task lists – Use bullets, symbols, and signifiers to list action items
- Notes pages – Add additional logs, trackers, and pages for everything from goals to recipes.
You can start a bullet journal on just about any blank notebook or printable dotted grid paper. This allows endless customization for a planning system that works for your needs.
Subscriptions and Programs
Some companies offer free planner printables for email newsletter subscribers or members. Check sites like:
- DayDesigner – Free weekly and daily inserts when you join their Planner Club.
- Blooming Planner Co. – Sign up for emails and get access to their vault of free printables.
- Plum Paper – Get monthly and weekly calendars by joining their mailing list.
Your local library may also allow printing for free or at very low cost. This enables you to print full planner inserts books for the price of the paper.
Planner Supplies on a Budget
You can make DIY planners and printables even more functional with supplies:
- Dollar store binders – Choose from many colors and sizes.
- Discounted discs – Binders allow easy rearranging. Check dollar stores or sites like AliExpress.
- Hole punches – Standard punches are under $10, or splurge for an adjustable long-reach model.
- Washi tape – Decorative washi tape starts around $1 a roll.
- Clear pouches – Protect pages with sealable sleeves for about $0.25 each.
- Stencils and stickers – Pick up page accent stickers for $1 to $5 per pack. Get alphabet and icon stencils even cheaper.
With free printables and low-cost supplies, you can create beautiful, customized planners on a budget.
Planner Apps
Mobile planner apps provide digital convenience:
- Google Calendar – Free calendar and planner from Google. Syncs across devices.
- Todoist – Feature-rich task manager with free version. Add due dates and reminders.
- TickTick – Free robust task app with planner functionality.
- Any.do – Simple interface and planner option in the free version.
- Microsoft To Do – Free task and daily planner app. Syncs with Outlook.
Evaluate free trial periods to test premium planner apps as well. Popular options include Planner Pro, Passion Planner, Legend Planner, and Boosted Planner.
Planner Stickers
Planner stickers add decorative flair while color coding and highlighting important tasks and events. You can often find free sampler packs and discounted sticker sheets:
- Etsy shops – Sellers like PlannerAnonymous, PolkaDotPalacePrint, and CraftsByCorinne have freebie samplers with purchase.
- Facebook groups – Planner swap and destash groups often offer freebie giveaways. Search for terms like “planner freebies.”
- Conferences and expos – In-person planner events distribute free products and swag bags.
- Store rewards programs – Signing up for craft store rewards earns you discounts and free coupons.
- Product surveys – Filling out brand surveys can unlock free samples, promo codes, and other perks.
With a bit of hunting, you can score enough functional planner stickers to decorate your pages without spending much.
Make Your Own Planner
If you want complete control over your planner, make your own from scratch. All you need is:
- Paper – Use blank art paper, dot grid notebooks, or printable planner inserts.
- Binding – Options include glue, staples, spiral, discs, and 3-ring binders.
- Decorations – Washi tape, stickers, stencils, stamps, and markers to customize.
- Inserts – Blank pages, calendars, goal trackers, habit logs, budgets, and more.
Making your own daily planner takes time but allows full customization and flexibility to change things up each month or year. Watch DIY planner tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest for inspiration.
Share Digital Files
Creating printable planner inserts to share as digital files can earn a bit of income:
- Sell on Etsy – Open your own Etsy shop offering original planner templates and clip art.
- Upload to TeachersPayTeachers – Offer planner stickers, inserts, and illustrations for educators.
- Share free files – Provide free files in exchange for email signups and newsletter follows. Upsell premium content.
Use sites like Canva and PicMonkey to design attractive planner pages and art. List your creations on marketplaces, social media, and your own website.
Use Referral Codes and Cash Back
Although planners can get pricey, you can save on the cost with cash back and referral promos:
- Rakuten – Earn cash back shopping major planner brands via Rakuten.
- RetailMeNot – Find planner coupon codes and verified deals on RetailMeNot.
- Honey – This browser extension automatically tests discount codes and coupons at checkout.
- Influencer referral codes – Use special links and codes from bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagrammers to save.
- Credit card rewards – Put planner purchases on a rewards credit card to earn points and/or cash back.
If you do opt to purchase a planner, make sure to explore savings and cash back opportunities to help offset the cost.
Planner Content Tips
To get the most out of your free planner, utilize these tips for content:
- Future log – List upcoming appointments, trips, birthdays and events in the months ahead.
- Monthly layouts – Note monthly goals and key dates on calendar spreads.
- Daily pages – Break your schedule into time blocks for each day to plan activities and tasks.
- Habit tracking – Create a simple habit tracker to build routines like exercise, water intake or reading.
- ToDo lists – Maintain master to-do lists with checkboxes to migrate tasks into daily spreads.
- Project planning – Use collections to outline steps required to complete projects.
- Memory keeping – Save memorable photos, tickets, quotes and other ephemera on scrapbook style pages.
With the right content system for your needs, a free planner can be an invaluable tool.
Conclusion
Planners are a worthwhile investment that can really transform your organization and productivity. But buying quality planners and accessories in retail stores or online can become expensive. Luckily there are many great options that allow you to source a functional daily planner completely free.
Online templates provide many diverse printable designs. Useful digital and web-based planners are just a click away. You can even easily create your own custom planner from scratch. So explore all these possibilities to find the perfect free day planner and start planning your days, weeks, and months ahead. With the right planner helping to organize your time and tasks, you’ll be on your way to reaching your goals and leading a more productive life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Day Planners
Where can I find a free printable daily planner?
Some top sites for free daily planner templates include Template.net, Vertex42, PrintablePaper, PrintablePlanners.com, and BestPrintable. These all offer various style planner pages ready to download and print.
What is the best free digital daily planner app?
Popular free digital daily planners include apps like Google Calendar, Trello, 30/30, Microsoft To Do, Todoist, and TickTick. They provide features like customizable templates, reminders, notes, and the ability to schedule events and to-do lists.
How do I create my own daily planner?
To make your own planner, first print blank templates or calendar pages. Then obtain a binder or notebook and use tools like glue, tape, staples, string, or disc binding to assemble your planner book. Decorate with washi tape, stickers, etc and create customized inserts that suit your needs.
What can I use as a free planner?
Many everyday stationary supplies like blank notebooks, note cards, sticky notes, and simple grids or printed calendars can be used to handcraft a functional diy planner. Also utilize free software and apps like Evernote, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, Trello boards, and Google Docs to build digital planners.
Where can I find low-cost planner supplies?
Affordable planner supplies for DIY projects can be found at dollar stores, discount retailers like AliExpress and Wish, and wholesalers. Watch for sales at craft stores. Discount subscription boxes are another option for scoring deals on decorative supplies each month.
What are some key elements I should include in my free daily planner?
Essential contents for a functional daily planner are calendars, daily or hourly schedules, to-do lists, note sections, and project spreads to outline action steps. You may also add components like habit trackers, budget worksheets, or memory keeping pages. Include any elements that help you plan your day and activities.