If you’re someone who loves planning, you might have found the perfect system in the perfect planner and stick to it religiously. However, different phases of life might call for different approaches, and that’s perfectly fine (though I personally wouldn’t recommend juggling multiple systems simultaneously).
I’ve experimented with various planning methods: digital planners on my tablet, traditional binder planners, using just my phone’s calendar, and even a bound notebook like Stalogy. I’ve enjoyed them all and tend to gravitate towards whichever suits my current needs.
For instance, despite the whirlwind of planning surrounding a recent family wedding, I found myself sticking to my phone’s calendar synced with Google Calendar. While I expected to rely on paper, my intuition led me elsewhere. I jot down appointments and events on my iPhone, a tool I solely use since the men in my family aren’t keen on planning. For to-do lists and other planning needs, I’ve revisited an app called AnyList, which I’ve used on and off for years. I found it so useful that I decided to upgrade to the pro version for another year, and I genuinely recommend it!
AnyList is available on various platforms including iPhone, iPad, Android devices, Mac, PC, and even Apple Watch. I’d suggest visiting their website for a comprehensive overview of its features, as there are too many to cover here. The pro version costs $10 a year, and if you’re impressed by the free version, I highly recommend upgrading.
The app primarily focuses on three aspects: lists, recipes, and meal planning (which may be exclusive to the pro version).
In terms of lists, there are three types: grocery lists, categorized lists, and basic lists. Grocery lists allow you to organize items by store and even input prices (in the pro version). Once your list is ready, you can easily share it with someone else or sync it with your online shopping cart.
For recipes, you can either manually input them or import them from online sources. Once you’ve selected your recipes, the app automatically adds the required ingredients to your grocery list.
With the pro version, you gain access to a meal planning calendar where you can schedule your meals with ease. You can add recipes and notes to your calendar and quickly generate a shopping list based on your planned meals for the week.
As I mentioned earlier, this app boasts numerous impressive features. One particularly useful feature is the ability to add pictures to grocery items. This can be handy when someone else, like the guys, is doing the shopping and needs clarity on exactly what you want.
To sum up, I rely on Google Calendar and the AnyList app for all my planning needs. I’ve set up a weekly grocery list and a master to-do list, but I’ve also used it for various custom lists as needed. For instance, during wedding planning, I had lists for each day leading up to the rehearsal dinner and a specific “The Day” list. It satisfied my organizational needs and ensured I didn’t overlook anything. You could also create lists like a wish list, birthday planning, bucket list, or even a list of things you accidentally left in the kitchen on the night of the rehearsal dinner! wink!
