Sunday, August 5, 2012

My Well Planned Day Goes Digital! (Giveaway)

Several years ago, I co-created another well-known planner in the homeschool marketplace – a .pdf format planner that could be used entirely online, or printed out and bound to create your own personalized planner.  Because of my connection to that particular planner, I resisted the urge to check out the other planners that were out there (even though I’m a known planner/planning junkie!)  This year, though, I decided it was high time to make some changes in my life – and the lives of my children – when it comes to our homeschool planning. 

Despite my creation of said-planner, I have always created personal planning forms for my kids.  I like things to be exactly the way I want them – I know that might sound picky, but it’s just the way I roll.  This year, though, with Gracie entering the 8th grade, I really felt that it would be beneficial for her to take a more active role in her school planning.  So, I went in search of a printed planner that might work for her. 

What I ended up with was the Student Planner from The Well Planned Day.  I posted about my early experience with that planner over at Homeschool Mosaics several weeks ago.  Quite honestly, we have had a busy summer and really haven’t gotten much further into our school year – but we have used the planner to schedule in all of her music lessons and various field trips.  And, I’m continuing to really like the format for her. 

mwpd-profile-picture-200x168A few weeks ago, I was offered the opportunity to test (and give away!) the brand new DIGITAL VERSION of The Well Planned Day.  I wasn’t 100% sure that I really “needed” the extra planning software, but I was curious to see what all it had to offer.  And I thought it might be a good way for me to oversee ALL that is going on in our homeschool – Ian’s first grade work, our busy family schedule, etc. 

While I must admit that, with our crazy-busy summer, I haven’t had a lot of time to really dig into this software, there are definitely a few things that I’ve observed about it that I really like:

  • It is fully customizable (if you click on this link you can see all the color options that are available – and, while this might seem trivial, I love things to be pretty and “me” so this is a great addition!)
  • You can create separate records for individual students.  Within those accounts, you can have various file folders for different things – projects, field trips, extracurricular activities, etc.
  • I’ve talked about our homeschool portfolios in the past.  While I love creating them as keepsakes for my kids, they do take up space and space is always limited.  This year, we decided to go paperless with our portfolios.  With this software, you can keep record of your children throughout their school years (in other words, this software will last you through your homeschool career – not just for one year, like a paper/print planner). 
  • It’s more than just for school.  This planner gives you the option of tracking your budget, keeping your family calendar, creating chore charts, making your menu, and much more!  I love that it’s so versatile.
  • And, did I mention that it’s pretty?  Yep, I think I did.

skin01

Now, all that being said, this is just a planner software – it’s not your brain.  Therefore, there is a learning curve involved.  I still haven’t figured out all the features.  (But, then again, I really haven’t had the time.)  I look forward to investigating it further over the weeks to come. 

howl take note biggerSo, what do you think?  Have you looked into this program at all for your homeschool?  Are you maybe sitting on the fence, not quite sure if you’re ready to invest the $65 to try it out?  If so, then I think you’ll be pleased with this ---
Just for reading this post on Heidi’s Head, you are entitled to purchase My Well Planned Day Software for $15 off!  Just enter this code at checkout: 05wpdblog12 (the code is case sensitive, contains no spaces, and expires on October 1, 2012).

I also have ONE COPY of the software to give away to one of my readers.  If you would like to win, simply follow the Rafflecopter instructions in the widget below.  (Please note that due to international sweepstakes laws, this giveaway is for US entries only.) 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTE: This giveaway is not connected to any social media site. I received a free access code for the software, in the hopes that I would try it out in my home and share my thoughts on it.  I only ever share things that I feel will be beneficial to my readers.  This giveaway is sponsored by Home Educating Family.

76 comments:

Tammy Darling said...

I'd like to get more organized.

Gayle Westover said...

Hey Heidi! I've been hoping to try this planner out for awhile. Glad to know that you liked it!

Carrie C said...

I use these planners every year and LOVE them...the hard copy that is...I would LOVE to win one for many reasons...the ability to customize it for however many children, being able to change the plan without all the crossing out or erasing...I hope there is an easy way in inputting information that repeats itself, etc. Even at $65 this is a good investment...I bought three of their planners this year! LOVE them!

Carrie C said...

offhand, I cannot recall a WORST planning nightmare...I did try another online planning software and that was not really as helpful as I would like...I guess my WORST planning nightmare is NOT BEING ABLE TO FINE THE PLAN!!!!

Cathy said...

I am always having planning problems! Actually, I am a mess! I really do hope I win this software! My worst nightmare is when I forgot about an appointment with another homeschooling mom 4 TIMES! It was so embarrassing.

Cathy said...

Right now I am using old school paper and pencil to plan. Everynow and then I add in a little excel when I want to get fancy. I also use my iCal to keep track of appointments.

lynnsc08 said...

I'm a planning junkie so this software sounds awesome!! Thanks for giving honest info and offering a fun giveaway.

lynnsc08 said...

My worst planning nightmare....hmm I don't know which one to choose lol Probably the worst was Christmas 2010. I was working on making side dishes for our Christmas meal on Christmas Eve and sat down for a minute. My then 4 year old crawled up on my lap and walk talking to me when he accidentally poked me in the eye. That led to an emergency trip to the eye doctor where I found he'd torn four of the five layers of my cornea and I left patched up like a pirate! I couldn't finish my plans for Christmas Eve or Christmas morning and couldn't even see Christmas morning :( Thankfully I've recovered and have been more diligent about lists and making sure others are aware of my plans.

amy said...

I definitely need help with planning. Thanks for the review. Using a digital planner makes me a little nervous but I like the idea of it. I'll check it out.

Ginny said...

I have checked this planner method out and it does look very intriguing. I have been using Homeschool Tracker software for the past 8 years, but would love if I had a digital planner that also include home stuff too.

Ginny said...

My worst planning nightmare is the thought of planning everything in my software program then suddenly it all disappears. YIKES!

Elyse Rinehart said...

My husband started creating a digital planner for me, but he hasn't finished it. My school year starts next week and for now I am writing things out, but I am so over that already. Thanks for the giveaway!

Gayle Westover said...

Hey Heidi! I've been hoping to try this planner out for awhile. Glad to know that you liked it!

Ambre Sautter said...

I need an all in one place life planning system. My favorite system currently is pan and paper, but that gets old fast!

Ambre Sautter said...

My worst planning nightmare is making sure our funds last to the next paycheck. I loved seeing there is budgeting as part of the WPD software!

Deb Robertson said...

Right now I use a planner that I made myself and print out every year. I want to try something new that will be digital!

Deb Robertson said...

my worst planning nightmare is not having any plan or place to plan!!!

Jenn Porsche said...

I'd love this to help keep better records for my 4 school age children

Jenn Porsche said...

My worst planning was losing track of some of our school days

Karee said...

I've heard of this and have considered it, but don't want to spend that much on it. Would love to win it though!

Lucy said...

I would love to win this software

vivian said...

I would love to win the software because I'm Homeschooling through High school for the 1st time & I think it would make life easier to keep track of things , I've always loved the "well-planned day" paper planner's , but typing seems like it would be quicker than hand writing .

vivian said...

my worst planning nightmare! well , that has to be a few years back when my son was still in elementary grades one year God was trying to teach me to invite Him into our "planning "what He wants from our schooling& learning to be flexible with "my plans" . I had wrote out weeks of detailed plans and the whole year worth general over view. Nothing ,absolutely NOTHING went as I planned ! I now look back and laugh at God's sense of humor in trying to get a message through to me :)

Unknown said...

Oh please I am in desperate need of help in this area!
cheryl b
CherylB1987@hotmail.com

Stacey said...

because I need more structure! Planning method.... lists.

Lisa Walters said...

I've been drooling over this software for a while but couldn't commit to buying it. I'm so excited about all the different options it has!

Michele Temple Moore said...

I would LOVE to win this! I need SOMETHING and have actually been considering going back to a paper calendar because I have too many things going on to use the online versions I have had. To be able to combine my calendar and my homeschool planning in one would be FABULOUS!! Pick me! Pick ME! Come on automated system PICK ME!!! :0)

Becky K. said...

Started looking for review for this software, and was thrilled to find one from you! I've tried paper planners - I really have. Unfortunately, unsuccessfully. I'd love to try the software!

Michele Temple Moore said...

Worst planning nightmare.. The sad thing is it happens more regularly than I will like! We get busy and I realize about 5 minutes before we are supposed to be leaving that I forgot an appointment. Between working from home, homeschooling, caring for the house, volunteering at church, and just the normal running that comes with kids I feel like I need a personal assistant!! I hate being late, I DON'T let people down once I commit, and so that means I am stressing all the time! We have showed up at the wrong park for park day, a day early for a party... It is just sad! I need help I tell you!!

Becky K. said...

My worst planner nightmare has to do with a computer crash. Enough said. :)

Kam said...

Want the software cuz I love, love to plan! It's my favorite hobby! I'm using a compuer based software now, but not able to access from other computers :(.

Monica Duenes said...

I used the Well Planned Day paper planner and I just loved the way it worked for our family!! It also helped that it was so pretty! I would love to win the digital version and start going paperless with my planning. Now, I can have more room for my book addiction and not my paper addiction! ;)

Michelle C said...

I have used the printed version of this planner, and like what I've seen so far of the digital version! Would love to win it! Thanks for offering this giveaway!

Michelle C said...

My worst planning nightmare involves missing something important - that I 'planned' to attend! It didn't get written down, or put into the smartphone, though... Oops! Really need everything in one place...

Melanie Lamere said...

I received a free copy last year and would love this years version too!

Brenda Emmett said...

I'm a planning junkie. I am kind of curious about this software. I like the On the Go planner and the student planner we have purchased. So of course I want to see what this software is all about. LOL!

Brenda Emmett said...

My worst planning nightmare is my current one, which you can read about here: http://homeschoolmosaics.com/blindly-planning/

Megan Dunham said...

I thought about getting this, but then didn't. I'd love to try it out!

Katherine Roberts said...

My favorite planning method is color coding each subject. We go in order of our daily schedule. For example Red is Bible, Orange is Reading, Yellow is Math etc. I have folders for completed work needing to be graded and graded to hand back. I have colored book covers, Plastic file holders the whole works.

Katherine Roberts said...

My worst planning nightmare was when I got really far behind on grading! I had to spend all weekend to grade 2 kids papers and record them!

Lissa said...

Would love to win this to help be a little more organized.

Tasha King said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this planner! I am interested :)

Shannon Soehl said...

My worst planning nightmare was.....not planning. I never found a planner I really liked so I didnt use it. BIG mistake.
Soehls@yahoo.com

Julie James said...

This looks great. I can't wait to win it :)

Julie R said...

Would love to win this....maybe I'll get more organized. ;-)

Angela Felker Watwood said...

Would love to try the software. I have used the book planners in the past so would love to check out the software.

Felicia Mogavero Johnson said...

I have 5 children and could really use this to plan out their homeschool schedule. Right now I am making up all my stuff on the computer, this would definitely save me time!

Felicia Mogavero Johnson said...

Every year has been a scheduling nightmare. I have three special needs kids with therapy and other outside stuff going on. It never fails to mess up a perfectly good day. My oldest is deaf so her schedule is completely different than the other kids. I always start out with a great plan, but it falls apart quickly.

Linda Marie Walsh said...

wow, I hope to win this. I have never tried this.

Linda Marie Walsh said...

My worst nightmare is the the fact that I plan and plan and plan but never execute. that is a nightmare. I have planners laying around everywhere and can't seem to follow anything.

Cathleen King said...

Helps me schedule my plans.

Cathleen King said...

Having to plan to everything for my family members.

Naomi M. said...

I would like to try it out; however, I now plan on paper.

Naomi M. said...

My worst planning nightmare is where nothing works.

Jessica Fisher said...

My favorite planning method is the one that works.

Megan Adams said...

I love that it is paperless!

Rebecca Lofton Altman said...

I love the paper version, but to be able to have it on my iPad is even better!!

Rebecca Lofton Altman said...

Planning dinner for picky eaters is the worst!

J Juarez said...

I would love to win this planner to use the lesson planning to finally stay on track and know what needs to be done by when.

Pei said...

I often forget to bring my paper calendar with me. It would be nice to have everything digital.

Jennifer McGill Carr said...

I have been thinking about trying this software out, but it just isn't in the budget....winning it would be amazing!

Tricia Ballad said...

I'm moving a lot of our planning to digital, and it would be great to have a one-stop-shop for life AND homeschool!

Tricia Ballad said...

My worst planning nightmare is trying to get soo much detail into one place, without my schedule looking like my 4-year old scribbled all over it!

Jessica said...

I am just starting homeschooling this fall and would love this to get organized!!

Tracie Cox White said...

I'd love to win this software so I wouldn't have to track my various tasks on spreadsheets... and notepads... and scrap paper... and programs... and calendars... and... Well, you get the idea! =) What a stress-reducing God-send this software could be!

Whitney Lowry said...

I would love to win this because I really need organization or I can't stay focused, and I think this would be a great way to stay organized.

Whitney Lowry said...

I always have this really great ideas that I'm going to get up and do everything before the kids wake up... it never happens, and my days always end up as chaos.

Michelle Lipp Starner said...

I would to win! I have been using the paper Well Planned Day and love it but I would love to have it digital. I am much more likely to click on the mouse than open the book. :)

Michelle Lipp Starner said...

My worst planning nightmare is where I spend a month planning and then we get a month off and it was all for nothing.

Brittany said...

So excited about this planner! Love that it can be accessed on the go and that it incorporates homeschool and home management. Yay!

Brittany said...

Worst planning nightmare ia not being able to start school when I want to. I am totally type a and have to have EVERYTHING ready before I can start.

tammyl328 said...

I need this cause our 4th child is only 3 weeks old and it is hard keeping track of everyone's schedule

Julieanne Miller said...

Right now, I use my own planning form for the year, but I'd be interested in using their digital version!

Julieanne

Julieanne Miller said...

My worst planning nightmare? Hmm...I guess not doing any planning!

Deb said...

Are you still using MWPD? I, like you, loved this at first but after almost two full school years of trying to make this software work for me I am ready to throw in the towel. It is still not a fully functioning online planner. Have you had others share this experience? I would love to see some online reviews that are more recent than fall of 2012. Thanks for your thoughts.

Heidi Strawser said...

Hi, Deb~
Thanks for stopping by. I am no longer using this blog (you can find me at http://heidi-strawser.com) and I'm also no longer using this planner. Like you, I ran into issues with it that I just couldn't seem to work around. I'm currently using an online planning system from My Homeschool Grades that I JUST LOVE! You should check it out!

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