Let me start by saying this: the Legend Budget Planner is hands-down the most functional budget notebook I’ve ever used. As someone who’s tried everything from apps to DIY spreadsheets, this physical planner finally made budgeting *stick* for me.

The undated monthly layouts are a lifesaver for real life. I started mid-year after a financial wake-up call, and didn’t have to waste pages or feel guilty about blank sections. The thick 120gsm paper handles my frantic pen scribbles during bill-paying sessions without bleeding – major win when you’re tracking every dollar.

Where this planner truly shines is the psychological design. The mandatory monthly review pages (with probing questions like “Did emotional spending derail you?”) called me out on my BS. After three months of using these, I caught myself hesitating before unnecessary Amazon purchases – that’s real behavioral change!

Now for the quirks: The single bookmark ribbon is frustrating when juggling between monthly budgets (Section 1), debt trackers (Section 3), and savings goals (Section 5). I ended up using rainbow sticky tabs as supplements. Also, while the included stickers are cute, having seven identical “Coffee” stickers but only one “Rent Paid” feels oddly unbalanced for a financial tool.

The compact size is perfect for my work bag, though the pen loop only fits slim pens – my favorite gel pen got demoted. And that back pocket? It holds exactly three folded receipts before bulging awkwardly.

After six months of daily use, the vegan leather cover still looks pristine despite being tossed around. My credit score jumped 85 points thanks to the debt tracker pages (though I needed supplemental sheets for all my cards). This planner won’t magically fix your finances – but if you actually use it? Game over for reckless spending.