This hole configuration totally misses the mark when we said we wanted a ring binder/inserts. I know Erin said she wanted all the accessories to be compatible with this binder, but SHE wanted that, NOT her customers. All we want are EC inserts that work with the binders we already own. Not to mention the EC binder is made of cardboard, meaning it's not going to last the same way a leather binder would and hold up with daily use.
Proprietary rings so you have to buy the hole punch. Cheap chipboard binder so it wears out quickly. It is meant to be replaced each time she comes out with the next design. It is intended for collectors that like to change planners every few months. The colored one is very pretty but I'm happy Erin Condren is out of my price range.
Random Hodgepodge If you have a binder & want inserts that are similar to EC (the box size for stickers & such), I buy Paper & Glam glamplanner. It has horizontal, vertical & hourly & is $29.00 new. I think she probably has some marked down in the outlet.
You hit the nail on the head. Those of us who asked for inserts wanted to be able to use the EC pages in the binders that we already have. So many people love their filofax and they also love EC. It would be great to be able to use both without two separate planners (and without having to uncoil, trim pages, and punch the holes).
Seriously this feels like they did this as cheaply as possible (cheap binder & no punch) then threw in the proprietary holes so they wouldn't sell very well & then they could go well we tried but no one bought the product to the people that wanted binder pages.
wwaxwork I see it differently. I think they did proprietary rings so you HAVE to buy supplies from them. No Etsy or self made sheets. Which is a no go for me. I’m a DIY’r soooo, yeah....Issa no for me
Filofax, Webster Pages and Simple Stories all have a six ring binder where you can interchange the inlays between the brands. I dislike the fact that this was designed so differently so that you can only fit her inserts in. Also I totally get why people are upset with the cardboard, I have a Filofax that I‘ve had for 10 years which looks almost new and I doubt that it would be looking that great if it was cardboard..
Abigail Hawkins without an 8 hole punch this planner would be the same as a coil planner. It doesn’t make sense to have to buy a binder each year. I think they forced this product and in the end it’s not exactly what the customer wanted.
Wow, I have never hated a ring configuration more than I hate this one. It seems so awkward. (BTW- Franklin Covey binder system also fits Daytimer and DayRunner)
Also, Franklin Covey etc holes match up to a 3-ring junior (half size) binder. I used to use cheap junior binders to archive stuff from my Daytimer Classic.
Cindy THANK YOU for going there. This is why I trust your reviews. No punch, proprietary system, giant cardboard mess-this is listening to us? I just want to use my Kikki K, man...
My 2nd thought... As an old school ringed planner user, part of our draw to rings is being able to add/remove things. I think EC would have better luck with these if she would offer us packs of lined, grid paper and maybe a set of blank dividers so we could create our own extra sections behind the months. That is what the majority of us do with ringed planners. They are so much more than just monthly/weekly planners. If I could order some lined/grid paper now, I’d try one out and figure out the rings.
I know like the appeal of ringed planners or disc planners are that unlike coil planners, it's really easy to only carry like, just the next month's worth of inserts, then fill the rest of the rings with like, maybe a debt management insert set, or a recipe/meal planning set, or even just 100 pages of notes so you can bring it with you to class or work. You aren't stuck using the entire ring setup for the whole 18 months, so that means you can just put in whatever stuff you will personally use and not be carrying around inserts for a year from now.
As a person that’s been unbinding my ECLP and putting it on happy planner discs for years, the idea is nice but I think it would be better if EC just sold the planner guts in a package unpunched. Other than that, I really like this year’s changes.
tbh that would have sold more but they also probably couldn't have priced it at $60-70 anymore. At the same time like, that's a planner, and lots of people would like that since half of the appeal is the DIY aspect, and I've seen a lot of people take the extremely chunky EC and put it on happy planner discs because it's nice to only carry 2-3 months worth of inserts.
Jonel B yeah that’s probably why they did the whole binder thing so they could charge $60 for it. But I think their unit purchases would increase if they did just sell the guts.
Clutching Pearls I recently discovered HP at Joann’s. I bought those planners to try for this year and I’m in love. Not to mention they have a punch and are much cheaper. I got 2 for less than the price of one EC. Paid $45 for both during a sale. I’ll miss the Mohawk paper, but I’ll probably never switch back to EC. 😂
To me the only reason they used those rings is to stop people putting it into a Filofax etc. The excuse “we wanted the coil clips to fit” is just an excuse. Maybe if it’s successful they’ll start to offer comparable Filofax styles. Also a punch is definitely needed otherwise how is it customisable like a Filofax?!
I’ve been interested in the binder, only because I could FRANKENPLAN. I can have color and neutral and some horizontal and vertical, etc. But the fact that I can’t buy separate inserts like I could if it was a Filofax is really a bummer. I basically have to buy two separate binders. So I may as well just get two coiled planners...if want a colorful vertical and a horizontal neutral, or whatever. And as far as proprietary, I get it. I used to use a Franklin planner and I loved it. But I could still buy separate inserts for the binder once I bought into the Franklin system. And when I had a Filofax, one of my favorite things was that I could mix and match the inside to my hearts content pretty much. I don’t understand why EC won’t let us get a binder and totally mix and match specific parts of the interior. In any case, I’m sticking to the coiled. I agree with you that the vertical looks like hourly now. Real talk: I feel like EC knocked some things out of the park this year and did weird stuff otherwise. What will 2021 bring? I mean other than a possible apocalypse? Lol. Great review.
I’ll stick to my EC coil. The inside is not bad but that binder 😫😖 noooo although it’s pretty.. it is a bit cheap looking. Which is crazy because EC is not cheap. 🤔
One thought I had for the hexagon page at the back, maybe for using for blood lab goals, like blood sugar, a1c, cholesterol, etc! I'm thinking of using mine for my menopause somehow as a health goal tracker!
Hi Cindy. Thank you for the idea of a health/ wellness planner, as I think this would be a big help for myself personally. I’ve tried to keep track of certain things regarding my health in the past, but I could never find a system to work for me xx
Yeah, I don't know. For those that went this way and it will bring them joy, good for them. But it's just not for me. Honestly, hasn't EC ever used a binder before? The rings would kill me. Either slap the whole shebang on the inside back cover or (preferably) get some D-rings. As you said, I feel it would make a lovely desk planner. I just can't see lugging that cardboard around and it staying in any kind of halfway decent shape. That being said, I'm SO looking forward to getting the colorful horizontal coil-bound LP at some point for 2020.
I like the binder itself as well(more than I thought I would) , I do wish the punch was available already though because there things I would like to adjust/change for what I’m using it for. I’ll be using mine for wellness as well!
I'm curious if the WeRMemoryKeepers planner punch will work. It is a tool you can buy for $25 that enables you to move around where the holes get punched.
Didn’t think I’d like the binder, but while visiting a friend, we went to the EC store and I ended up getting one. I am going to combine two planners and add notes pages and I’m too scared to coil and recoil, so I think it will be good for me this year. I am worried it won’t hold up for the year though.
I go back and forth between binder and coil. I’m not brand new to EC but just getting back into the planner and so I ordered one of each since I couldn’t decide haha. I really like the new pages in front of the month and plan to use them as memory keeping pages that I’ll fill out and add pictures and some journaling to as the month moves along. I’m hoping EC ends up having the option of the EC binder inserts unpunched...I think the inserts are great but would prefer either punching them for an A5 or disc bound system. Can’t wait for mine to arrive really in love with the kaleidoscope pattern!!
Erin Condren missed the mark on this proprietary ring system. She would have made MORE money if she had made it fit the binders people are already collecting. Not having a punch also makes this binder system useless.
Thanks for your feedback. I always appreciate your honesty, it’s refreshing. I’m not a ring planner person, but I just might give this a try this year. If worse comes to worse then I can punch it for discs. You can line up the page to punch around the existing holes.
Jen Plans addressed the tab issue by using a tape runner to stick together the two pages prior to the monthly view. Not sure if I will do that or not, but it’s a great idea, and now her tabs open directly to the monthly pages 😊
Ok I've been watching for about 5 minutes (and I'm gonna finish, but) I want to say that I was one hoping that EC would come out with a binder. I was also one wanting it to be a standard A5 (CarpeDiem, Kikki K/Large, Etc.) I was upset when I saw the customized rings. That being said, I did a test in my CarpeDiem which I bought to set up and use next year, because I like the idea of being able to take the pages out to decorate and to customize the set up. I am in love with all the EC accesories and so I took the budget dash board from EC and put it in the A5 binder. IT FIT PERFERCTLY in the 6 wholes. It was a little tight, but if someone wants to commit to trying the rings just take your whole punch and make the wholes a little bigger and they will fit great. I punched the wholes without even touching the other wholes and now I can use it in my EC til the end of the year and then move it to my new A5 at the back. If EC would come up with the A5 with the slightly bigger binder and slightly bigger page size I would buy that for $80. Why, because I love the EC covers and colors and size. But I would like to be able to keep 4 months of planner and have everything else I use in one place instead of multiple books. That's just my opinion on the subject anyway. I love your videos and also PlanwithLaken. Loved your collabration videos.
I bought one for memory keeping (horizontal/colorful). I like being able to remove the page(s) to play. For that reason, it’s a good choice for that. The rings are a bit fiddly to use with the accessories, but then I won’t be loading this up with snap-in accessories. I can’t wait to use it. I like those pages in the beginning of the month. For those of us that don’t have/use power sheets you can use those to map out goals and priorities.
I usually unbind my ECLP and put it in my kikki k. I got the ECLP binder this year and this was a fabulous way to get 18 months and be able to punch for A5 without all the extra steps or losing out on design! I like the new set up with the monthly tabs but have also seen them glued so the tab opens to the page if I change my mind! Thank you Cindy for a great review!
If I was a student I would consider this, but as I'm not it just looks a little ridiculous and bulky. I don't understand the point of it being in rings if a. There aren't extra options you can add in like more note space, and b. There isn't a punch available to add your own stuff/custom inserts. And having the stickers and pocket still punched for the coil just seems odd, if not a little lazy on their part. I just can't figure out the thinking behind most of it *shrug* it is a pretty binder though... Having the binder available separately would be cool if they do release a punch for it. Thanks for showing us Cindy 💜
Cindy! I have a wonder suggestion for a planner to check out! It's the Paper House Productions 18-Month Undated Planner in Stargazer! I bought one and cannot WAIT to use it! It's about $22 on Amazon and simply STUNNING. They have other themes, too, but this one just called to me. It's definitely a hidden gem among planners. The stickers it comes with are just...Ugh. No explanation. 💜😍
I wish they had a plastic pocket for the binder! Soooo annoying to keep stuff in there without one. Also, I hate the fact that the back pocket and stickers are clearly for the coil bound. Looks like they just couldn’t be bothered to do it properly😭😭😭 (other than that, it’s so pretty)
Sadia Saleem I heard that the reason it’s punched like the coil is because they weren’t going to add them to the binder but did last minute. Personally, I would rather have them coil punched than not have them at all.
Oh I see, I didn’t know this! Then yeah I agree. But even then, I think I would have preferred a plastic pocket with the stickers inside tbh. If I was to purchase (& they added the pocket) I would have definitely put them in there! It just looks cleaner to me 😭
You could use the contacts page to list wellness websites you like and doctors.You could use the future log pages to list future appointments and wellness challenges.
My first EC Planner was the colorful hourly binder. I’ve switched to the colorful coiled vertical for 2021, but I will purchase the 2021 Daily Binder Inserts for my existing binder. I have the plain blush fabric covered binder, and it’s held up very well, but I also don’t carry it around with me everywhere. As you mentioned, this is a good desk planner, it’s not the best for portability.
I did get the binder because I was thinking I could personalize it and add pages I needed to it. I could add finance bills, books read, health and wellness, family, everything in one binder. I am looking forward to hopefully having 1 desk planner and a small purse planner.
I just picked up the wellness Happy Planner - my first HP. I really like the layout and the aesthetic, but those purple plastic discs had to go. The rose gold metal discs look great though.
I just purchased the neutral horizontal as a health and wellness planner! I am currently in the neutral vertical but for pictures and some journaling it doesn’t work well. I’m hoping the horizontal will work better. No discs for me, tried them but can’t make it work. Lol.
Congratulations, Cindy! It is May 29 and you have made it to 50,000 subscribers (50,019 to be exact)! Huzzah! 😃🖖🏾💐🍾💚 Proprietary anything in a product gives me pause but proprietary rings in a binder is a deal breaker. The main reason a company makes proprietary products is to force customers to come back for accessories or replacements they need which is rather greedy to me. Then there is the fact that the whole point of having a binder is having the ability to add and remove pages. I seriously doubt EC will make everything that everyone wants to put in their binders, let alone in the configuration and colors. A company that pulls such a mercenary stunt loses some of my respect.
Well, I got the Wellness from the Happy Planner. This binder may cost the same thing as the coil bound but it looks cheap. Something I would buy in an office supplies store. I don’t like rings also, but I do see the beauty of a Kikki K, a Filofax, whatever. But this binder is horrible. To my taste at least. I tested all the systems. Now I’m with the Happy Planner. For months, what’s surprising. Maybe because they resemble enough a coil bound, but they give me the freedom to put inserts interesting to my needs and I love the opportunity to keep changing the layout. The same layout bores me to death. So I’m always changing. Now I’m with a Classic and a Mini, but my Wellness Classic is arriving as well. As a person with chronic diseases I’m feeling the need to track everything I feel to see if I can see a pattern. And to help me with my doctors as well, since I’m always forgetting things. Luckily my mom is always with me in my consults. 🙄🤷🏻♀️ And getting back to the binder. I didn’t like binders like these when I was at school, now that I’m not I disliked them even more.
I actually like the binder quite a bit. Yeah, the rings are kinda of a turn off, but you can still add pages with a hand held punch. Not.a perfect solution, but it gives me a chance to be crafty. I have been making dashboards, etc for mine. I got the solid pink and didn't care for the woven pattern on the inside so I covered it with marble scrabook paper. I plan on making all sorts of goodies to make it just perfect for my needs. Functional, yet pretty. I love pretty things, lol.
Ive used a Ringed Planner for 30 years. I think the proprietary rings sucks and sorry if EC is considering coming out with a hole punch that seems opposite of the statement “we want our system to be our system” I have cardboard ring binders I bought on clearance at Target that I use for stickers, so that’s not really the deal breaker for me. Its those very awkward rings. Would not buy this at half the price.
Just a small correction: Franklin Planner Classic size IS interchangeable with other half-letter size North American brands like Day-Timer and Day Runner. And if the inserts are repunched, they can be used in any true A5 binder. A5 size is not a standard North American size, as it is elsewhere in the world.
Reviews of planners in a wellness context is a great idea. If you setle on a wellness planner are you planning on documenting your wellness journey on your channel either through vlogs or just the planning process? As someone who is trying to figure the whole thing out (especially when certain exercises just hurt instead of help) it would nice to see someone else's perspective on it.
Interesting product. The Sunday start on EC monthly pages drives me nuts! I want to cover mine, do you know if anyone makes correctly sized day of the week stickers (or washi) that can fully cover them, so I can reorder as M-Sun? (I have Date Dots to deal with the date.) Pain in the ass to do but I’m struggling to use my EC planner and I think this plays a big part.
Thanks all. Took a look at those sellers but sadly shipping to my country costs $10 for a sheet of stickers (so shipping is a whopping 3x the cost of a sheet) so that’s not ideal. Are any non-US sellers offering them? If not, think I’ll have to find another use for my planner which sucks.
Here's the thing, proprietary or not. I own this binder, and it is not easy to turn the pages or to close it. Seriously, have you tried? The one thing a ring planner should have in its favor is ease of turning pages, opening and closing. And this doesn't have it.
I like how you explained the price of the binder of 12 vs 18 month. That is a huge benefit. Also if we have multiple years worth of accessories I’m glad we have the option to use those in this setup. Since my last 2 yrs of EC was memory keeping the extra covers I have wouldn’t be helpful. I could use them as dividers for seasons or months etc
Just paper-clip the divider to the monthly. I really appreciate that they didn't print the calendar on the backside of the divider because it means I can reuse the dividers year after year.
I actually love the idea of a planner that is in a binder format since I'm a student. However, I'd probably just use a three ring binder or pronged folders with some extra notebook paper because I'm a broke college student. One thought, though. Have you considered making a bullet journal for your wellness plan/diary/record for your kidney issues? It's simple, super flexible, you can put your photos in it without worrying about format, you can journal, meal prep, write recipes, symptoms and everything you want on the pages. It can be in a binder, spiral bound, wire bound, sewn, glued, or even in a composition notebook (which I have been using to experiment with and am kind of falling in love with it). 10/10 would highly recommend! Plus, it can be a void of color as you want it to be.
I laughed when I saw this because the binder reminds me of this one I have from target. the Print isn't the same, but the construction is similar, with the regular binder rings, and it actually has a bonus clipboard clip on the inside front cover. I use it for planning out knitting projects, with all free printables and clear sleeves to hold patterns. I think the lack of a punch, and the lack of options to put into this are going to do them in. The biggest appeal of a binder type planner is taking out half the months if you aren't currently using them and putting in like, meal planning and recipes, or extra notes pages, or a debt tackling plan. Without a punch and options of stuff to put in or swap out, you might as well just have this be another spiral bound planner. And it's not even really that the rings are proprietary. The discs for the Tul and Arc system are *almost* proprietary, you have to get special punch for it and it's like $20, but people still absolutely love it(I'm biased, I have two that I'm currently setting up for the future, one is a projects notebook) and I still see plenty of people using the system because even if happy planner, tul, or staples arc or levenger doesn't make inserts you like, you can just go find some printables on etsy and punch them yourself for whatever you need. It gives a sense of longevity to the system.
I REALLY hate the tabs on the page before the month!! I’m debating just ripping the tabbed pages out (I’ve never cared for the inspo quotes anyways) and adding my own tabs, or as I’ve heard other people doing, glueing the two pages together. Any advice from anyone out there who’s tried either option?
Looks like I will continue to make my own pages. If she changed the pages to fit my Kikki K I will give it a try but not until then. She could at least release unpunched pages, that way we could punch to match our systems.
I love my EC binder. I was skeptical about the rings when I first saw it. Now that I have it, I love it. I can still use all the inserts from before and don't have to purchase new ones. I've even moved a few pages around, added a few more notes pages from an uncoiled EC notebook, and trimmed off and relocated a tab to accommodate the new page order. I'm not having to pay any more for the system than the spiral bound ECLP. I have a number of 6-ring planner covers. The issue I had with inserts is how to store them when the year was over. The EC binder will be the storage cover, and I'll get a new Signature binder when the next year launches. This is the first year for this product. EC will probably come out with a higher end binder down the line that will be intended for year-to-year use. As you said, these inserts can be punched for a 6-ring binder and the holes won't cut into the planning are like it did with the spiral bound ECLP. From a business perspective, this was a smart move on her part as she's not having to inventory an entirely different line of accessories. Again, I see this product evolving as all her products do after they are introduced. I've always preferred a spiral bound planner, but had issues with the cover popping off as the year progressed. I purchased the permanent covers, but they just weren't as fun. I can use any of the covers I have as page lifters and dividers. D-rings seem like a good solution, but would increase the cost as well as add a couple inches to the length of both covers. That's a lot of table/desk real estate covered by an open planner. So those who have concerns with carrying this binder due to its size would have even more concerns if the binder were D-ring. I'm willing to take the compromise of a smaller, less expensive binder that I can still carry and don't mind having to lift the pages in the back when closing the binder. I have to do that even in my expensive 6-rings as none of those are D-ring configuration.
I am so beyond excited to see what you decide to use for your new planner lineup. Like what Erin Condren, if you use a different productivity planner. And I know you dont like to change for the sake of change, but I'm still curious and excited 😁😁😁
I really like binder planners. My very first planner was a homemade planner binder. I would use it as a wellness planner as well. Thank you for the review. ❤
I wanted to like this. I really wanted to. But...no. I don’t want to bash anything but it’s just not quite designed for me. I would likely take washi tape to the sides then re-punch into my A5 but wow that seems like a lot of work? I have punched other coil bound ECLP before (with a carpe diem punch) and they fit great but the problem with that came into me punching over the dates. Anywho...congrats on the 50k! And FYI I use those coloring pages for pen tests. I mentioned that on another channel the other day and it doesn’t seem like that was a thing? It works really well and gives those pages some purpose.
We Are Memory Keepers makes a planner punch that has spiral bound punches that could be used to punch pages to this configuration... 🤔 granted I don’t know the pattern to do it, but I guarantee you someone will figure it out!
Yes this exactly! I was going to add this comment myself but I needed to make sure someone else hadn’t said it first. I have that puncher and while it’s fine for one or two sheets at a time, it’s kinda time consuming and you need to be exact or the holes will not be aligned properly. Can’t wait to see when someone figures out the coordinating numbers for the holes.
I’m waiting too... You know someone will figure it out and come up with a printable template you can line up under your punch to lay your paper on and there are so many printables out there this size. Now THAT would be a game changer for me.
I am loving on my Happy Planner undated wellness insert. I love the tabs and the layout has been super useful. I'm not sure if I'm going to do it when it's full next month though. Because discs. And since it's only 6 months, it would be the same exact tabs again. Plus I have a hard time with shaded boxes. I think they have a 12 month dated wellness planner now, though. I may give that a try. Also considering trying to combine wellness planning in my ec vertical. Or I'll buy a whole new ec. Decisions, decisions! Good luck choosing!
This is a bit off topic, but after that stencil live pwm, I didn't believe that stencils could be that bad so I picked up some to try. You were right!! Man, I can't get anything to look good.
I honestly just can get over the fact that the cover doesnt close..... the rings are too big, the spine is too narrow. A hard cover binder that doesnt close is basically useless.... might as well hold those pages together with paperclips.
I've followed you for sometime now and love your planning style and honesty. As for EC binder, I think I love it.Been an EC fan for a few years now. Before EC I was always in a binder. Haven't purchased one yet, but really love the neutral, although I'm usually a colorful girl!
Michele Smith I was the same but if you are a dashboard fan you will probably hate this setup. I just took mine to Staples to get punched. The punches line up to the existing holes so I guess that’s a plus to their binder hole setup.
I am a little confused why not just have the dashboards that fit the new binder? Why do I want all these extra holes it looks messy and I am way to OCD for mismatched stuff that ends up costing me so much $$$$ through the year. I was at the EC Southbay store and I got overwhelmed by the amount of plastic on everything so I just got and EC undated painted petals bound planner at Staples for $22.50 and used a coupon so it was like even cheaper. But then I had to have EC stickers and markers and I got my Mom one. Then we both needed month page stickers haha. So not sure how much I spent but I think definitely less than $100 and we are both set for the next year. 😃 If I took Mom to EC store with me it would be like $400 for us by the time we were done. And I don’t want more plastic in Moms home. I also don’t want her breathing erasable markers. So I thought I chose the least plastic and healthiest options for us. And she has never seen any of the videos and so she was super happy with the planner I got her. She loved the rose gold all over it and the stickers. Maybe I will take her to EC store later on. I did however order both of us Summer surprise boxes so EC still got my $$$ haha.
I agree about the rings - but that's where washi comes in for me. I often like to make my planners disc compatible -- and washi at the center adds a little pizzaz! :)
To me the point of a binder, along with being able to add & subtract papers is a nice binder. The EC looks like a fancy cardboard. It does not look like it’s going to last. I just bought a Kikki K , A5 size, brand new for $40.00. It was on sale, had paper/inserts (which I always change, but it’s there). It is leather & will last as long as I like it. I have Filofaxes & Louis Vuitton & love to switch based on season or my mood. I will not be buying the EC binder. You made a point that EC wants their own system like Franklin Covey & that’s funny because I switched FROM Franklin Covey because it was NOT compatible.
My binder (that I don’t need and have no idea if/how I’ll use it) arrived while I was watching this! #fate I also love the fact that it’s a real binder. But I agree it’s not made to be carried around which might be a deal breaker for me.
I order a daily binder and I want to said that I hate the binder 😩 the pages don’t turn smoothly does not lay flat. I’m sad, I do love the daily layout tho, I wish It came in a spiral too! I’m still going to use because it’s not a cheap planner! i regret not ordering kit life daily planner 😫
I looked at this as a possible replacement for my Happy Planner since I'm not happy with a multitude of products and choices they've made as a company. The thing I super love about my HPs is the disc system. I always pop my pages out to write on them and then pop them back in. I don't know how anyone deals with the coil-bound system!!! So the binder seemed a good alternative. That is, until the reviews. Not sure what I'll do, but thank you for your assessment of the binder.
Check out Plum Paper Planner. I just ordered an unpunched hourly weekly and a daily and just got it today. I frankenplanned the two and love my new setup.
I love the neutral colors in this Kaleidoscope cover and the whole planner as well. I haven't used EC for several years as personally I was not a fan. But these colors are gorgeous. Thanks!
I also got the binder as a wellness/fitness journal. I moved July & August 2020 to the front so I could use them as May/June 2019 (same date config). It is working "OK" so far, mostly because it isn't going anywhere. It will stay in my office. If it were my everything planner, I would go mad over the clunky cover. It does not close properly and the pages have to be adjusted every single GD time. This is with Sept-Dec 2020 removed (although I did add an extra notes page per month and the July/August thing mentioned). It is a lot of planner, but worth the cost for what you get in comparison to the coil. I do feel like they may have rushed it to get it out for the launch date and it will need some fine-tuning to win over the picky planner crowd and meet EC's quality standards.
I took my planner and punched holes in it and it fits in my carpe diem system..... The other things needed tape and then i punched those..... Use a paper clip and stick the month pages together yo get it open....
I don’t like rings, so I’m also not emotionally invested in the new system. But, when I heard they were making ring inserts, I imagined a smaller ring binder similar to their folios with petit planner size ring inserts. And, with the inserts and ring folio sold separately so you could make it what you want. I feel like those who asked for ring inserts, wanted them because they love the EC system, but wanted an option to use them in their ring planners. I get what your saying about the cost of binder staying down, but my first thought when I saw it was that it looks like the $3 cardboard binders you find in the Target DollarSpot. 😂 If they wanted to make a full size binder, just sell a higher quality binder separate and sell non-proprietary inserts separate. I don’t know, I agree with most of what I’ve heard that they kind of missed the mark on this one. 😕
I feel whiney and entitled about this, but I'm a transient planner person and overly emotionally invested in this controversy. I wouldn't mind the proprietary rings if you could buy a punch and a separate binder up to planner community standards like a Kikki K. But since I can't, I can't work with this. I bring my planner everyplace. I love EC, but haven't used one since 2015 because the coil doesn't work for me. I just want an EC and to add my own pages and sections and only carry 3 months at once. So I'm throwing a baby fit. Whaaaaaaaa!
Please Please dont go to vertical. I'm a horizontal planner girl,I have been for years. There aren't many of us, and I love watching your videos! #dontleave
I'm sorry but if you are looking for a cute cardboard binder you can find plenty with cute designs at Target either in their office aisle or the value section. I would much rather get the standard coiled Erin Condren planner.
If I could afford it I'd so get this. I like that you can take the pages out to work on them.. and add in stuff. I'd probably add some kind of closure like a band or something though.
Cindy, don't forget about metal discs for your HP! They are a jillion times better than the plastic ones for ease of page turning and no squeaking/scraping. Plus I like the satisfying "clink" of the metal on my desk when I set it down :-) I bought a destash EC binder planner at a rock-bottom price, and I fully intend to repunch it for a Carpe Diem A5 binder...or punch it for Happy Planner discs. Not a fan of the EC binder, but good first effort I guess?
This hole configuration totally misses the mark when we said we wanted a ring binder/inserts. I know Erin said she wanted all the accessories to be compatible with this binder, but SHE wanted that, NOT her customers. All we want are EC inserts that work with the binders we already own. Not to mention the EC binder is made of cardboard, meaning it's not going to last the same way a leather binder would and hold up with daily use.
Planner Stuff amen.
Yes. It seems so exclusionary. ‘My items shall never mix with those plebeian planner products that are currently in use all across the country’
AnnaDaisybird 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
Amen
YES
The proprietary rings immediately killed it for me.
I feel like they should like... sell binder inserts, not binder planners... if that makes sense?
Bottle Solvent yes! I would give them so much money if they started making inserts for established ring systems.
Proprietary rings so you have to buy the hole punch. Cheap chipboard binder so it wears out quickly. It is meant to be replaced each time she comes out with the next design. It is intended for collectors that like to change planners every few months. The colored one is very pretty but I'm happy Erin Condren is out of my price range.
Random Hodgepodge If you have a binder & want inserts that are similar to EC (the box size for stickers & such), I buy Paper & Glam glamplanner. It has horizontal, vertical & hourly & is $29.00 new. I think she probably has some marked down in the outlet.
You hit the nail on the head. Those of us who asked for inserts wanted to be able to use the EC pages in the binders that we already have. So many people love their filofax and they also love EC. It would be great to be able to use both without two separate planners (and without having to uncoil, trim pages, and punch the holes).
Seriously this feels like they did this as cheaply as possible (cheap binder & no punch) then threw in the proprietary holes so they wouldn't sell very well & then they could go well we tried but no one bought the product to the people that wanted binder pages.
wwaxwork I see it differently. I think they did proprietary rings so you HAVE to buy supplies from them. No Etsy or self made sheets. Which is a no go for me. I’m a DIY’r soooo, yeah....Issa no for me
Filofax, Webster Pages and Simple Stories all have a six ring binder where you can interchange the inlays between the brands. I dislike the fact that this was designed so differently so that you can only fit her inserts in. Also I totally get why people are upset with the cardboard, I have a Filofax that I‘ve had for 10 years which looks almost new and I doubt that it would be looking that great if it was cardboard..
I would imagine that’s the point...to force you into buying a new one each year! (I’m a little cynical)
Abigail Hawkins without an 8 hole punch this planner would be the same as a coil planner. It doesn’t make sense to have to buy a binder each year. I think they forced this product and in the end it’s not exactly what the customer wanted.
Wow, I have never hated a ring configuration more than I hate this one. It seems so awkward. (BTW- Franklin Covey binder system also fits Daytimer and DayRunner)
Also, Franklin Covey etc holes match up to a 3-ring junior (half size) binder. I used to use cheap junior binders to archive stuff from my Daytimer Classic.
This.
Franklin Covey Compact inserts will also fit in a personal Filofax, although they are too wide for the dividers.
I love Franklin Covey
Cindy THANK YOU for going there. This is why I trust your reviews. No punch, proprietary system, giant cardboard mess-this is listening to us? I just want to use my Kikki K, man...
My 2nd thought... As an old school ringed planner user, part of our draw to rings is being able to add/remove things. I think EC would have better luck with these if she would offer us packs of lined, grid paper and maybe a set of blank dividers so we could create our own extra sections behind the months. That is what the majority of us do with ringed planners. They are so much more than just monthly/weekly planners. If I could order some lined/grid paper now, I’d try one out and figure out the rings.
Exactlyyyy this.
I know like the appeal of ringed planners or disc planners are that unlike coil planners, it's really easy to only carry like, just the next month's worth of inserts, then fill the rest of the rings with like, maybe a debt management insert set, or a recipe/meal planning set, or even just 100 pages of notes so you can bring it with you to class or work. You aren't stuck using the entire ring setup for the whole 18 months, so that means you can just put in whatever stuff you will personally use and not be carrying around inserts for a year from now.
As a person that’s been unbinding my ECLP and putting it on happy planner discs for years, the idea is nice but I think it would be better if EC just sold the planner guts in a package unpunched. Other than that, I really like this year’s changes.
tbh that would have sold more but they also probably couldn't have priced it at $60-70 anymore. At the same time like, that's a planner, and lots of people would like that since half of the appeal is the DIY aspect, and I've seen a lot of people take the extremely chunky EC and put it on happy planner discs because it's nice to only carry 2-3 months worth of inserts.
That's all I want! Unpunched guts! Heck, I'd probably buy both neutral and colorful so I could pick which to use each week.
Jonel B yeah that’s probably why they did the whole binder thing so they could charge $60 for it. But I think their unit purchases would increase if they did just sell the guts.
Simone Clark i would do the same!
I just found your channel and I think I'm in love already. Your no holds bar feedback and personality is what I'm for!
MrsPrettyInPink11 Cindy is the best, hands down.
You will love Cindy!! She's awesome!!!
Cindy is the best! I ONLY trust her reviews. I feel like everyone else is trying to sell me something but not Cindy.
Happy planners are the way to go. So easily customizable.
Clutching Pearls I recently discovered HP at Joann’s. I bought those planners to try for this year and I’m in love. Not to mention they have a punch and are much cheaper. I got 2 for less than the price of one EC. Paid $45 for both during a sale. I’ll miss the Mohawk paper, but I’ll probably never switch back to EC. 😂
To me the only reason they used those rings is to stop people putting it into a Filofax etc. The excuse “we wanted the coil clips to fit” is just an excuse. Maybe if it’s successful they’ll start to offer comparable Filofax styles. Also a punch is definitely needed otherwise how is it customisable like a Filofax?!
I use binders a TON at work. I hate that the rings aren’t along the back cover so it can all lay nicely.
I’ve been interested in the binder, only because I could FRANKENPLAN. I can have color and neutral and some horizontal and vertical, etc. But the fact that I can’t buy separate inserts like I could if it was a Filofax is really a bummer. I basically have to buy two separate binders. So I may as well just get two coiled planners...if want a colorful vertical and a horizontal neutral, or whatever. And as far as proprietary, I get it. I used to use a Franklin planner and I loved it. But I could still buy separate inserts for the binder once I bought into the Franklin system. And when I had a Filofax, one of my favorite things was that I could mix and match the inside to my hearts content pretty much. I don’t understand why EC won’t let us get a binder and totally mix and match specific parts of the interior. In any case, I’m sticking to the coiled. I agree with you that the vertical looks like hourly now. Real talk: I feel like EC knocked some things out of the park this year and did weird stuff otherwise. What will 2021 bring? I mean other than a possible apocalypse? Lol. Great review.
I’ll stick to my EC coil.
The inside is not bad but that binder 😫😖 noooo although it’s pretty.. it is a bit cheap looking. Which is crazy because EC is not cheap. 🤔
YES! The cardboard binder seems so off-the-mark for the brand.
One thought I had for the hexagon page at the back, maybe for using for blood lab goals, like blood sugar, a1c, cholesterol, etc! I'm thinking of using mine for my menopause somehow as a health goal tracker!
Hi Cindy. Thank you for the idea of a health/ wellness planner, as I think this would be a big help for myself personally. I’ve tried to keep track of certain things regarding my health in the past, but I could never find a system to work for me xx
Yeah, I don't know. For those that went this way and it will bring them joy, good for them. But it's just not for me. Honestly, hasn't EC ever used a binder before? The rings would kill me. Either slap the whole shebang on the inside back cover or (preferably) get some D-rings. As you said, I feel it would make a lovely desk planner. I just can't see lugging that cardboard around and it staying in any kind of halfway decent shape. That being said, I'm SO looking forward to getting the colorful horizontal coil-bound LP at some point for 2020.
I like the binder itself as well(more than I thought I would) , I do wish the punch was available already though because there things I would like to adjust/change for what I’m using it for. I’ll be using mine for wellness as well!
I'm curious if the WeRMemoryKeepers planner punch will work. It is a tool you can buy for $25 that enables you to move around where the holes get punched.
Just a bullet journal planner who admires the passion of the EC community.
Plum paper recently switched the Mohawk paper!
Didn’t think I’d like the binder, but while visiting a friend, we went to the EC store and I ended up getting one. I am going to combine two planners and add notes pages and I’m too scared to coil and recoil, so I think it will be good for me this year. I am worried it won’t hold up for the year though.
I go back and forth between binder and coil. I’m not brand new to EC but just getting back into the planner and so I ordered one of each since I couldn’t decide haha.
I really like the new pages in front of the month and plan to use them as memory keeping pages that I’ll fill out and add pictures and some journaling to as the month moves along.
I’m hoping EC ends up having the option of the EC binder inserts unpunched...I think the inserts are great but would prefer either punching them for an A5 or disc bound system.
Can’t wait for mine to arrive really in love with the kaleidoscope pattern!!
Erin Condren missed the mark on this proprietary ring system. She would have made MORE money if she had made it fit the binders people are already collecting. Not having a punch also makes this binder system useless.
I’d never seen your videos and assumed it would be semi stuffy then you dropped and f-bomb on me... SUBBED 😂
This video was so helpful for me! I love how detailed you were
Thanks for your feedback. I always appreciate your honesty, it’s refreshing. I’m not a ring planner person, but I just might give this a try this year. If worse comes to worse then I can punch it for discs. You can line up the page to punch around the existing holes.
Jen Plans addressed the tab issue by using a tape runner to stick together the two pages prior to the monthly view. Not sure if I will do that or not, but it’s a great idea, and now her tabs open directly to the monthly pages 😊
Ps, it was repostionable in case she changes her mind and decides she wants to use those pages
Stephanie Flemming inspired many of us to use a Wellness Journal! :-)
I love your objectivity!
Ok I've been watching for about 5 minutes (and I'm gonna finish, but) I want to say that I was one hoping that EC would come out with a binder. I was also one wanting it to be a standard A5 (CarpeDiem, Kikki K/Large, Etc.) I was upset when I saw the customized rings. That being said, I did a test in my CarpeDiem which I bought to set up and use next year, because I like the idea of being able to take the pages out to decorate and to customize the set up. I am in love with all the EC accesories and so I took the budget dash board from EC and put it in the A5 binder. IT FIT PERFERCTLY in the 6 wholes. It was a little tight, but if someone wants to commit to trying the rings just take your whole punch and make the wholes a little bigger and they will fit great. I punched the wholes without even touching the other wholes and now I can use it in my EC til the end of the year and then move it to my new A5 at the back. If EC would come up with the A5 with the slightly bigger binder and slightly bigger page size I would buy that for $80. Why, because I love the EC covers and colors and size. But I would like to be able to keep 4 months of planner and have everything else I use in one place instead of multiple books. That's just my opinion on the subject anyway. I love your videos and also PlanwithLaken. Loved your collabration videos.
I bought one for memory keeping (horizontal/colorful). I like being able to remove the page(s) to play. For that reason, it’s a good choice for that. The rings are a bit fiddly to use with the accessories, but then I won’t be loading this up with snap-in accessories. I can’t wait to use it. I like those pages in the beginning of the month. For those of us that don’t have/use power sheets you can use those to map out goals and priorities.
I usually unbind my ECLP and put it in my kikki k. I got the ECLP binder this year and this was a fabulous way to get 18 months and be able to punch for A5 without all the extra steps or losing out on design! I like the new set up with the monthly tabs but have also seen them glued so the tab opens to the page if I change my mind! Thank you Cindy for a great review!
If I was a student I would consider this, but as I'm not it just looks a little ridiculous and bulky. I don't understand the point of it being in rings if a. There aren't extra options you can add in like more note space, and b. There isn't a punch available to add your own stuff/custom inserts. And having the stickers and pocket still punched for the coil just seems odd, if not a little lazy on their part. I just can't figure out the thinking behind most of it *shrug* it is a pretty binder though... Having the binder available separately would be cool if they do release a punch for it. Thanks for showing us Cindy 💜
Cindy! I have a wonder suggestion for a planner to check out! It's the Paper House Productions 18-Month Undated Planner in Stargazer! I bought one and cannot WAIT to use it! It's about $22 on Amazon and simply STUNNING. They have other themes, too, but this one just called to me. It's definitely a hidden gem among planners. The stickers it comes with are just...Ugh. No explanation. 💜😍
You can tape the pages together if you don’t want to have the extra page between the tab page and the monthly.
I wish they had a plastic pocket for the binder! Soooo annoying to keep stuff in there without one. Also, I hate the fact that the back pocket and stickers are clearly for the coil bound. Looks like they just couldn’t be bothered to do it properly😭😭😭 (other than that, it’s so pretty)
Sadia Saleem I heard that the reason it’s punched like the coil is because they weren’t going to add them to the binder but did last minute. Personally, I would rather have them coil punched than not have them at all.
Oh I see, I didn’t know this! Then yeah I agree. But even then, I think I would have preferred a plastic pocket with the stickers inside tbh. If I was to purchase (& they added the pocket) I would have definitely put them in there! It just looks cleaner to me 😭
You could use the contacts page to list wellness websites you like and doctors.You could use the future log pages to list future appointments and wellness challenges.
My first EC Planner was the colorful hourly binder. I’ve switched to the colorful coiled vertical for 2021, but I will purchase the 2021 Daily Binder Inserts for my existing binder. I have the plain blush fabric covered binder, and it’s held up very well, but I also don’t carry it around with me everywhere. As you mentioned, this is a good desk planner, it’s not the best for portability.
I did get the binder because I was thinking I could personalize it and add pages I needed to it. I could add finance bills, books read, health and wellness, family, everything in one binder. I am looking forward to hopefully having 1 desk planner and a small purse planner.
To fix the month tab thing. I just glue the monthly page to the divider.
I just picked up the wellness Happy Planner - my first HP. I really like the layout and the aesthetic, but those purple plastic discs had to go. The rose gold metal discs look great though.
I just purchased the neutral horizontal as a health and wellness planner! I am currently in the neutral vertical but for pictures and some journaling it doesn’t work well. I’m hoping the horizontal will work better. No discs for me, tried them but can’t make it work. Lol.
Congratulations, Cindy! It is May 29 and you have made it to 50,000 subscribers (50,019 to be exact)! Huzzah! 😃🖖🏾💐🍾💚
Proprietary anything in a product gives me pause but proprietary rings in a binder is a deal breaker. The main reason a company makes proprietary products is to force customers to come back for accessories or replacements they need which is rather greedy to me. Then there is the fact that the whole point of having a binder is having the ability to add and remove pages. I seriously doubt EC will make everything that everyone wants to put in their binders, let alone in the configuration and colors. A company that pulls such a mercenary stunt loses some of my respect.
Well, I got the Wellness from the Happy Planner.
This binder may cost the same thing as the coil bound but it looks cheap. Something I would buy in an office supplies store. I don’t like rings also, but I do see the beauty of a Kikki K, a Filofax, whatever. But this binder is horrible. To my taste at least.
I tested all the systems. Now I’m with the Happy Planner. For months, what’s surprising. Maybe because they resemble enough a coil bound, but they give me the freedom to put inserts interesting to my needs and I love the opportunity to keep changing the layout. The same layout bores me to death. So I’m always changing. Now I’m with a Classic and a Mini, but my Wellness Classic is arriving as well. As a person with chronic diseases I’m feeling the need to track everything I feel to see if I can see a pattern. And to help me with my doctors as well, since I’m always forgetting things. Luckily my mom is always with me in my consults. 🙄🤷🏻♀️
And getting back to the binder. I didn’t like binders like these when I was at school, now that I’m not I disliked them even more.
I actually like the binder quite a bit. Yeah, the rings are kinda of a turn off, but you can still add pages with a hand held punch. Not.a perfect solution, but it gives me a chance to be crafty. I have been making dashboards, etc for mine. I got the solid pink and didn't care for the woven pattern on the inside so I covered it with marble scrabook paper. I plan on making all sorts of goodies to make it just perfect for my needs. Functional, yet pretty. I love pretty things, lol.
Ive used a Ringed Planner for 30 years. I think the proprietary rings sucks and sorry if EC is considering coming out with a hole punch that seems opposite of the statement “we want our system to be our system”
I have cardboard ring binders I bought on clearance at Target that I use for stickers, so that’s not really the deal breaker for me. Its those very awkward rings. Would not buy this at half the price.
People on FB are saying they glue the tabbed page and the dashboard page together so the tab opens to the monthly calendar.
Just a small correction: Franklin Planner Classic size IS interchangeable with other half-letter size North American brands like Day-Timer and Day Runner. And if the inserts are repunched, they can be used in any true A5 binder. A5 size is not a standard North American size, as it is elsewhere in the world.
Reviews of planners in a wellness context is a great idea. If you setle on a wellness planner are you planning on documenting your wellness journey on your channel either through vlogs or just the planning process? As someone who is trying to figure the whole thing out (especially when certain exercises just hurt instead of help) it would nice to see someone else's perspective on it.
Interesting product. The Sunday start on EC monthly pages drives me nuts! I want to cover mine, do you know if anyone makes correctly sized day of the week stickers (or washi) that can fully cover them, so I can reorder as M-Sun? (I have Date Dots to deal with the date.) Pain in the ass to do but I’m struggling to use my EC planner and I think this plays a big part.
choccygirl Krissyanne Designs offers a Monday start option for monthly kits.
Sweet kawaii design has a monthly kit and you put the days where you want them
Planner Kate on Etsy has covers to make it a Monday start on your monthly page.
Thanks all. Took a look at those sellers but sadly shipping to my country costs $10 for a sheet of stickers (so shipping is a whopping 3x the cost of a sheet) so that’s not ideal. Are any non-US sellers offering them? If not, think I’ll have to find another use for my planner which sucks.
Ordered rings, now I''m wishing I would have just stuck with my past orders, and ordered a coil bound planner.
Here's the thing, proprietary or not. I own this binder, and it is not easy to turn the pages or to close it. Seriously, have you tried? The one thing a ring planner should have in its favor is ease of turning pages, opening and closing. And this doesn't have it.
I like how you explained the price of the binder of 12 vs 18 month. That is a huge benefit. Also if we have multiple years worth of accessories I’m glad we have the option to use those in this setup. Since my last 2 yrs of EC was memory keeping the extra covers I have wouldn’t be helpful. I could use them as dividers for seasons or months etc
I LOVE the idea of using the dashboard for health!
Just paper-clip the divider to the monthly. I really appreciate that they didn't print the calendar on the backside of the divider because it means I can reuse the dividers year after year.
I actually love the idea of a planner that is in a binder format since I'm a student. However, I'd probably just use a three ring binder or pronged folders with some extra notebook paper because I'm a broke college student.
One thought, though. Have you considered making a bullet journal for your wellness plan/diary/record for your kidney issues? It's simple, super flexible, you can put your photos in it without worrying about format, you can journal, meal prep, write recipes, symptoms and everything you want on the pages. It can be in a binder, spiral bound, wire bound, sewn, glued, or even in a composition notebook (which I have been using to experiment with and am kind of falling in love with it). 10/10 would highly recommend! Plus, it can be a void of color as you want it to be.
I laughed when I saw this because the binder reminds me of this one I have from target. the Print isn't the same, but the construction is similar, with the regular binder rings, and it actually has a bonus clipboard clip on the inside front cover. I use it for planning out knitting projects, with all free printables and clear sleeves to hold patterns.
I think the lack of a punch, and the lack of options to put into this are going to do them in. The biggest appeal of a binder type planner is taking out half the months if you aren't currently using them and putting in like, meal planning and recipes, or extra notes pages, or a debt tackling plan. Without a punch and options of stuff to put in or swap out, you might as well just have this be another spiral bound planner.
And it's not even really that the rings are proprietary. The discs for the Tul and Arc system are *almost* proprietary, you have to get special punch for it and it's like $20, but people still absolutely love it(I'm biased, I have two that I'm currently setting up for the future, one is a projects notebook) and I still see plenty of people using the system because even if happy planner, tul, or staples arc or levenger doesn't make inserts you like, you can just go find some printables on etsy and punch them yourself for whatever you need. It gives a sense of longevity to the system.
I REALLY hate the tabs on the page before the month!! I’m debating just ripping the tabbed pages out (I’ve never cared for the inspo quotes anyways) and adding my own tabs, or as I’ve heard other people doing, glueing the two pages together. Any advice from anyone out there who’s tried either option?
Looks like I will continue to make my own pages. If she changed the pages to fit my Kikki K I will give it a try but not until then. She could at least release unpunched pages, that way we could punch to match our systems.
yes - when I saw the new releases I got a very "ink well press" vibe from it...
You can color the coloring pages and put the cannon pictures on them so it looks like a cool background.
I love my EC binder. I was skeptical about the rings when I first saw it. Now that I have it, I love it. I can still use all the inserts from before and don't have to purchase new ones. I've even moved a few pages around, added a few more notes pages from an uncoiled EC notebook, and trimmed off and relocated a tab to accommodate the new page order. I'm not having to pay any more for the system than the spiral bound ECLP. I have a number of 6-ring planner covers. The issue I had with inserts is how to store them when the year was over. The EC binder will be the storage cover, and I'll get a new Signature binder when the next year launches. This is the first year for this product. EC will probably come out with a higher end binder down the line that will be intended for year-to-year use. As you said, these inserts can be punched for a 6-ring binder and the holes won't cut into the planning are like it did with the spiral bound ECLP. From a business perspective, this was a smart move on her part as she's not having to inventory an entirely different line of accessories. Again, I see this product evolving as all her products do after they are introduced. I've always preferred a spiral bound planner, but had issues with the cover popping off as the year progressed. I purchased the permanent covers, but they just weren't as fun. I can use any of the covers I have as page lifters and dividers. D-rings seem like a good solution, but would increase the cost as well as add a couple inches to the length of both covers. That's a lot of table/desk real estate covered by an open planner. So those who have concerns with carrying this binder due to its size would have even more concerns if the binder were D-ring. I'm willing to take the compromise of a smaller, less expensive binder that I can still carry and don't mind having to lift the pages in the back when closing the binder. I have to do that even in my expensive 6-rings as none of those are D-ring configuration.
I am so beyond excited to see what you decide to use for your new planner lineup. Like what Erin Condren, if you use a different productivity planner. And I know you dont like to change for the sake of change, but I'm still curious and excited 😁😁😁
I really like binder planners. My very first planner was a homemade planner binder. I would use it as a wellness planner as well. Thank you for the review. ❤
I wanted to like this. I really wanted to. But...no.
I don’t want to bash anything but it’s just not quite designed for me. I would likely take washi tape to the sides then re-punch into my A5 but wow that seems like a lot of work? I have punched other coil bound ECLP before (with a carpe diem punch) and they fit great but the problem with that came into me punching over the dates.
Anywho...congrats on the 50k! And FYI I use those coloring pages for pen tests. I mentioned that on another channel the other day and it doesn’t seem like that was a thing? It works really well and gives those pages some purpose.
Great idea for coloring pages! I've never thought of that. I'm not into coloring pages but this is a good way to put them to use!
Love your personality!!!! Such a nice change from your average boooring planner reviews
We Are Memory Keepers makes a planner punch that has spiral bound punches that could be used to punch pages to this configuration... 🤔 granted I don’t know the pattern to do it, but I guarantee you someone will figure it out!
Yes this exactly! I was going to add this comment myself but I needed to make sure someone else hadn’t said it first. I have that puncher and while it’s fine for one or two sheets at a time, it’s kinda time consuming and you need to be exact or the holes will not be aligned properly. Can’t wait to see when someone figures out the coordinating numbers for the holes.
I’m waiting too... You know someone will figure it out and come up with a printable template you can line up under your punch to lay your paper on and there are so many printables out there this size. Now THAT would be a game changer for me.
I am loving on my Happy Planner undated wellness insert. I love the tabs and the layout has been super useful. I'm not sure if I'm going to do it when it's full next month though. Because discs. And since it's only 6 months, it would be the same exact tabs again. Plus I have a hard time with shaded boxes. I think they have a 12 month dated wellness planner now, though. I may give that a try. Also considering trying to combine wellness planning in my ec vertical. Or I'll buy a whole new ec. Decisions, decisions! Good luck choosing!
Think I’ll just wait till these end up in the office supplies section at Ross...Don’t think I’ll be waiting too long.
This is a bit off topic, but after that stencil live pwm, I didn't believe that stencils could be that bad so I picked up some to try. You were right!! Man, I can't get anything to look good.
I honestly just can get over the fact that the cover doesnt close..... the rings are too big, the spine is too narrow. A hard cover binder that doesnt close is basically useless.... might as well hold those pages together with paperclips.
I’ve never been a ring planner user, so maybe this is off base, but could the ring piece be removed and switched to a leather/different/better binder?
Ooohh...that's a GOOD idea 🤔
I've followed you for sometime now and love your planning style and honesty. As for EC binder, I think I love it.Been an EC fan for a few years now. Before EC I was always in a binder. Haven't purchased one yet, but really love the neutral, although I'm usually a colorful girl!
Michele Smith I was the same but if you are a dashboard fan you will probably hate this setup. I just took mine to Staples to get punched. The punches line up to the existing holes so I guess that’s a plus to their binder hole setup.
I am a little confused why not just have the dashboards that fit the new binder? Why do I want all these extra holes it looks messy and I am way to OCD for mismatched stuff that ends up costing me so much $$$$ through the year. I was at the EC Southbay store and I got overwhelmed by the amount of plastic on everything so I just got and EC undated painted petals bound planner at Staples for $22.50 and used a coupon so it was like even cheaper. But then I had to have EC stickers and markers and I got my Mom one. Then we both needed month page stickers haha. So not sure how much I spent but I think definitely less than $100 and we are both set for the next year. 😃 If I took Mom to EC store with me it would be like $400 for us by the time we were done. And I don’t want more plastic in Moms home. I also don’t want her breathing erasable markers. So I thought I chose the least plastic and healthiest options for us. And she has never seen any of the videos and so she was super happy with the planner I got her. She loved the rose gold all over it and the stickers. Maybe I will take her to EC store later on. I did however order both of us Summer surprise boxes so EC still got my $$$ haha.
I agree about the rings - but that's where washi comes in for me. I often like to make my planners disc compatible -- and washi at the center adds a little pizzaz! :)
To me the point of a binder, along with being able to add & subtract papers is a nice binder. The EC looks like a fancy cardboard. It does not look like it’s going to last. I just bought a Kikki K , A5 size, brand new for $40.00. It was on sale, had paper/inserts (which I always change, but it’s there). It is leather & will last as long as I like it. I have Filofaxes & Louis Vuitton & love to switch based on season or my mood. I will not be buying the EC binder. You made a point that EC wants their own system like Franklin Covey & that’s funny because I switched FROM Franklin Covey because it was NOT compatible.
My binder (that I don’t need and have no idea if/how I’ll use it) arrived while I was watching this! #fate
I also love the fact that it’s a real binder. But I agree it’s not made to be carried around which might be a deal breaker for me.
I’m sooo glad u did this review! Been waiting on your opinion!! Thanks!
I order a daily binder and I want to said that I hate the binder 😩 the pages don’t turn smoothly does not lay flat. I’m sad, I do love the daily layout tho, I wish It came in a spiral too! I’m still going to use because it’s not a cheap planner! i regret not ordering kit life daily planner 😫
I looked at this as a possible replacement for my Happy Planner since I'm not happy with a multitude of products and choices they've made as a company. The thing I super love about my HPs is the disc system. I always pop my pages out to write on them and then pop them back in. I don't know how anyone deals with the coil-bound system!!! So the binder seemed a good alternative. That is, until the reviews. Not sure what I'll do, but thank you for your assessment of the binder.
Check out Plum Paper Planner. I just ordered an unpunched hourly weekly and a daily and just got it today. I frankenplanned the two and love my new setup.
I love the neutral colors in this Kaleidoscope cover and the whole planner as well. I haven't used EC for several years as personally I was not a fan. But these colors are gorgeous. Thanks!
I also got the binder as a wellness/fitness journal. I moved July & August 2020 to the front so I could use them as May/June 2019 (same date config). It is working "OK" so far, mostly because it isn't going anywhere. It will stay in my office. If it were my everything planner, I would go mad over the clunky cover. It does not close properly and the pages have to be adjusted every single GD time. This is with Sept-Dec 2020 removed (although I did add an extra notes page per month and the July/August thing mentioned). It is a lot of planner, but worth the cost for what you get in comparison to the coil. I do feel like they may have rushed it to get it out for the launch date and it will need some fine-tuning to win over the picky planner crowd and meet EC's quality standards.
you could definitely use the happy planner memory keeping for wellness pictures. the spots are the perfect size !
It is beautiful. I do not like the rings. Without a punch, you cannot add more note paper to it if needed.
I took my planner and punched holes in it and it fits in my carpe diem system..... The other things needed tape and then i punched those..... Use a paper clip and stick the month pages together yo get it open....
I don’t like rings, so I’m also not emotionally invested in the new system. But, when I heard they were making ring inserts, I imagined a smaller ring binder similar to their folios with petit planner size ring inserts. And, with the inserts and ring folio sold separately so you could make it what you want. I feel like those who asked for ring inserts, wanted them because they love the EC system, but wanted an option to use them in their ring planners. I get what your saying about the cost of binder staying down, but my first thought when I saw it was that it looks like the $3 cardboard binders you find in the Target DollarSpot. 😂 If they wanted to make a full size binder, just sell a higher quality binder separate and sell non-proprietary inserts separate. I don’t know, I agree with most of what I’ve heard that they kind of missed the mark on this one. 😕
What kind of mic do you use? It’s so clear!!
I have the colored ring binder. It’s kinda driving me crazy but it’s pretty. I was debating on going to staples and getting it punched and bound. 🤔
I feel whiney and entitled about this, but I'm a transient planner person and overly emotionally invested in this controversy. I wouldn't mind the proprietary rings if you could buy a punch and a separate binder up to planner community standards like a Kikki K. But since I can't, I can't work with this. I bring my planner everyplace. I love EC, but haven't used one since 2015 because the coil doesn't work for me. I just want an EC and to add my own pages and sections and only carry 3 months at once. So I'm throwing a baby fit. Whaaaaaaaa!
The dashboard page could be a monthly highlights page!
“That’s hella f***in’ cheap” LOLolololol
Please Please dont go to vertical. I'm a horizontal planner girl,I have been for years. There aren't many of us, and I love watching your videos! #dontleave
Same
A horizontal planner with videos?! I'll have to subscribe and check out more stuff.
I'm sorry but if you are looking for a cute cardboard binder you can find plenty with cute designs at Target either in their office aisle or the value section.
I would much rather get the standard coiled Erin Condren planner.
💜💜💜tfs💜💜💜 I'm not sure how I feel about the punching, but the binder idea I adore!
If I could afford it I'd so get this. I like that you can take the pages out to work on them.. and add in stuff. I'd probably add some kind of closure like a band or something though.
I actually bought it and really love it. Great review. Thank you.
Cindy, don't forget about metal discs for your HP! They are a jillion times better than the plastic ones for ease of page turning and no squeaking/scraping. Plus I like the satisfying "clink" of the metal on my desk when I set it down :-) I bought a destash EC binder planner at a rock-bottom price, and I fully intend to repunch it for a Carpe Diem A5 binder...or punch it for Happy Planner discs. Not a fan of the EC binder, but good first effort I guess?