Best Laid Plans

Latest Episodes:

Inspiration for Your Analog Fall, Updates & More EP 274 Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah shares an update for the listener seeking high-contrast planner options, with products mentioned including the Marjolein Delhaas Planner from Wms&Co, Rad & Happy, and Passion Planner.

Then, she shares a listener's story of ordering the Personal Planner from Sweden -- and being extremely surprised by fees (over 4x the value of the planner!).

Following, Sarah gets into the concept of an Analog Fall (or an Analog 2026?) inspired by Julianna Salguero's Keepsake substack post: https://juliannasalguero.substack.com/p/how-to-have-an-analog-fall

She adds to Julianna's ideas with several fun analog activities of her own, and also ponders: if we were adding tech back to our lives from scratch, what would we actually choose to partake in?

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling Stuck? 6 Practices to Get Your Dreams and Reflections Flowing EP 273 Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode (and inspired by her recent girls' trip!), Sarah shares 6 practices to help you think through your big picture goals and dreams as we gear up for Reflection Season and starting to think about annual planning for 2026!

These include:
- Inspiring reading (or audio)
- 100 Dreams List
- 10, 5, or 1-year Visioning Exercises
- The gift of a notebook just for dreaming and scheming
- Deep conversion with a partner or friend
- Clean up!

A few specific items mentioned:

Laura's 100 Dreams List: https://lauravanderkam.com/2015/06/2015-list-100-dreams/
Nuuna Notebook: https://nuuna.com/notebooks
36 Questions: https://36questionsinlove.com
Course notes:
Visit theshubox.com/courses to learn more about guided annual and seasonal planning experiences for 2026!

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October Q&A: An All-Paper Planner Peace, Paper/Digital Hybrid Tips, Managing a Life with Many Moving Parts, and More EP 272 Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Today's episode is a very planner-centric Q&A episode (since it's that time of year!).

First, Cynthia opens with her planner peace - a mashup of prior BLP mentions, from the Passionate Pennypincher Planner to Planner Pad and a Stalogy notebook!

Then, Kristin shares a pro tip for melding her digital planning (via Google calendar) with a paper system that allows for daily notes jotted in pen and a physical representation of the weeks and months.

Susie shares a common planning conundrum - she has a life with LOTS of moving parts, but no one system to contain them all.

Finally, a listener wonders how to handle events being tentatively booked in advance, while another gives a shout-out to Midori's unique Double Scheduler options (https://www.jetpens.com/Midori-Double-Schedule-Diary-2026-B6-To-Do-Blue)

Notes:

Yes, you can text your questions to Sarah -- just text (305) 697-7189
2026 courses are open for registration at theshubox.com/courses. Planning By Season is almost full, so don't wait to register if you are interested!

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit ⁠greenchef.com/50bestlaid ⁠and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADHD-Friendly Planning Solutions with Skye Waterson EP 271 Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Skye Waterson, ADHD strategist, host of a podcast in the ADHD space, and an expert in building systems that help entrepreneurs and execs with ADHD (or suspected ADHD) scale their businesses. Skye shares the strategies that she's currently using herself, as well as some great tips for prioritizing when everything feels urgent. She also shares ideas for procrastination and offers advice for others trying to support friends or family with ADHD.

Skye lives in New Zealand, and you can find her at unconventionalorganisation.com

Note: Best Laid Plans Live: Planning 2026 and Planning By Season: 2026 Edition are both open for registration for a limited time!
Visit theshubox.com/courses to learn more.

Sponsor Notes:

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans

Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at mintmobile.com/BLP.

PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at prepdish.com/plans!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Course News + The Case For Planning In Fun (and tips for how to do it!) EP 270 Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah opens with news about upcoming courses - both Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2026 AND Planning By Season will be back for next calendar year! Get details about the courses at theshubox.com/courses and be sure to sign up for her newsletter for registration info (newsletter drops 10/1).
Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
Then, she talks all about FUN - the case for ensuring we plan in fun, ways to figure out what kind of fun we need, and inspiration for planning in fun at every time horizon, from daily to yearly and beyond.

Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Things To Consider If You’re Feeling Scattered EP 269 Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Inspired by her own recent period of feeling a bit overwhelmed and all over the place, Sarah shares 10 tips for those feeling scattered.
Please be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you'd like to receive October's edition:
theshubox.com/newsletter
Email Sarah with questions or comments at sarah hart unger @ gmail or text (305) 697-7189

Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Peace & Accessibility + Discussing Wirecutter's 2026 Planner Picks EP 268 Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah shares a Planner Peace submission from R, a lover of paper planners with a vision issue that makes small print and light colors difficult to work with. Please send Sarah any ideas for bright and bold planner brands to share with our listener!
Then, Sarah shares her notes on Wirecutter's picks for next year's planners!
The article can be found here:
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-paper-planners/
Send Sarah your own thoughts on the reviews, or submit your planning questions via email - sarah hart unger at gmail!

Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September Q&A: Planner News, Planner Peace from a SAHM, Work/Life Separation, and More EP 267 Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah shares some recent planner news. She discusses price changes at Hobonichi (she compares her recent order to years prior), and then shares about the new Minimalist option available from Full Focus.
Then, she goes through Q&A, tips & planner peace submissions for September! Topics include:
- Feedback from a teacher about separating work + life into different planner systems
- Tip from Sara about using ToDoist as a way to remind her future self about upcoming tasks
- Planner Peace (mostly digital!) from SAHM Ashley
- Suggestions for compact planners designed to be used for just one month at at a time?
- Advice for rebuilding one's system after a life-changing medical event
To submit your questions, email sarah hart unger at gmail or visit theshubox.com! Episode Sponsors:

IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah's Systems Update: What's Working, What's Not, and What's In Store for 2026! EP 266 Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah goes through a techo kaigi -- her own assessment of how her current tools are working for her, along with some musing about what's up ahead for 2026!

Products mentioned:
Hobonichi Cousin Avec
Erin Condren B6 18 Month Softbound
Hobonichi 5-Year Journal
Erin Condren Whiteboard
Essential Calendar (affiliate link: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS + use code BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)
Digital: Apple Notes, YNAB, Google Sheets
Sticker printer: Canon Selphy X20

Episode Sponsors:
IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August Q&A: Hobonichi, Taylor Swift, and More EP 265 Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah shares two things that made her (tough) week, and then answers 6 questions from the August Q&A collection!
Topics include:
- Can you use Apple Notes to include attachments + graphics
- Big projects: fewer longer sessions, or consistent shorter ones?
- Ideal week during the newborn phase: yay or nay, and suggestions for an alternative if not?
- Are there circumstances where a 'work specific' planner can make sense?
- Work & rest-of-life planning sessions: separate or together?
- How long does it take to implement the routines of the nested planning sessions?
Get your questions to Sarah and you may hear the answers on a future episode! Email at sarah hart unger @ gmail or leave a comment on the show notes at theshubox.com.
Remember the newsletter comes out at the start of each month -- we're close to September, so sign up at theshubox.com/newsletter to receive it!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.

PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.

Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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