I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but there is something I look forward to each January: A fresh planner. Whether you're looking to organize your workday or streamline meal planning for your family, these editor-favorite planners, apps, and tools make day-to-day tasks easier.
We've found an assortment of paper planning products and online task trackers, so you can be more productive at your desk or from your phone. Stay organized in the new year with our favorite paper planners, calendar apps, and digital to-do lists.
COURTESY OF TARGET
Classic Spiral Planner
"Even with all the digital calendar options out there nowadays, I'll always be a paper planner gal. Blue Sky planners have been a go-to of mine the last few years, and their latest collab with Rachel Parcell is super cute. I love that this one is affordable and has both a monthly and weekly views to help me stay organized."
— Emily VanSchmus, Home Editor
COURTESY OF AMAZON
Meal Planner and Grocery List
"Meal planning has always been a bit of a pain for me, but having somewhere to write out each day's meals while simultaneously writing out my grocery list is so helpful. It's magnetic so I can have it hanging on the fridge, making it easy to add to. When it's time to head to the store, I just tear off the list portion and the menu stays on the pad."
— Halee Miller, Editorial Assistant
Google Tasks
"I've tried a ton of different task-keeping methods over the years, and Google Tasks has been my most recent favorite. If you have a Gmail account your Tasks account is already created, and it meshes seamlessly with my professional and personal email accounts, so I can keep track of work tasks and my personal to-do lists everywhere I go. Google Tasks syncs across devices AND, potentially most helpfully, I can drag key emails straight into the Google Tasks sidebar on Gmail, so I never forget to use a digital gift card or respond to a key message."
— Lauren Phillips, Associate Editorial Director, News
COURTESY OF ANYLIST
AnyList App
"The AnyList app allows you to create a variety of types of lists (grocery, packing, etc.) that you can easily cross off on your phone while you're in the store. I keep several ongoing lists for specific stores, such as Target and Trader Joe's, so whenever I'm shopping, I can refer to them without forgetting anything."
— Caitlin Sole, Senior Home Editor
COURTESY OF PAPIER
Weekly Desk Planner
"I love having a physical planner to keep track of appointments and events, but this paper desk pad has been a game-changer for work tasks. It's easy to keep on my desk (usually with my coffee mug sitting on top of it) where I can quickly see my work week and check things off without having to flip through my spiral-bound planner. Plus, it's nice to keep my personal planner separate from my 9-5 to-do list."
— Emily VanSchmus, Home Editor
Meal Planning App
"I've been following a paleo diet since 2019 and I love this app. You just type in an ingredient and it tells you whether or not it's paleo or not. It makes planning meals for the week super easy!"
— Monika Eyers, East Coast Editor