I have a problem with planners. They are very limiting because the different sections tend to define everything too closely. Plus, I just don't want a planner. I want a journal as well and it seems silly to carry several notebooks around. Every year I buy a thick composition book; I print free calendar pages from the internet then glue them to the first twelve pages. The rest of the book, unfettered from predefined sections, serves as my journal/working notebook/grocery list etc. etc. I have a cashiers metal clip on the back for bills or transitory important documents and staple a file rubber band to the front cover to serve as a bookmark/clasping device. I stick a pilot fine point from the front cover. The notebooks are nicely broken in by july; the black and white covers become plyable and you can see where my grip has worn away the cardboard and ink.