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All you need to start journaling + more!
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items Affordable note: you don't need to buy expensive markers, pens, and notebooks to start journaling (unless you want to). Here are some affordable items that do the job for me!
Sections
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Pens & Markers
Notebooks
Happy items
Pens & Markers
Adding color and different widths of pen and marker make bigger differences than you may think! Note: to start you don't need all the pens. Start simple, try new things out and figure out what you like! These are just what I use & my thoughts on them!
I have gone through multiple packs of these and mainly use them for highlighting, calligraphy, and coloring. I love that they are affordable, have many color options, & easy to use!
Crayola 50ct Super Tips Washable Markers | Target
Added these to my collection few months ago. These are better for highlighting because they are much sheer and lighter than the usual supertips! They are also great to pair together in page titles and calligraphy.
Note: I prefer the regular supertips over the pastel because they are so light, but I do like them + they are very cute!
Note: I prefer the regular supertips over the pastel because they are so light, but I do like them + they are very cute!
Crayola® 20 Color Super Tips Washable PASTEL Markers | Michaels
MUJI pens write very nicely. They are smooth and the ink is always consistent. I love using the 0.5mm and the 0.3mm pen versions, and this pack from Amazon sells in a pack of 10 ($1.51 each)!
MUJI 0.5mm Black Gel Ink Retractable Pen (10) | Amazon
If you like pens that write sharp, these are the ones for you! These were the pens I started with when I first started journaling, and I still have them now because the big pack I bought! They last a while, are pretty affordable, and write smoothly &...
Sharpie S-Gel Pens 0.5 mm Pen Point Size, Black Gel-based Ink, 4 Pack | Walmart
Thick pens I love. They write smooth, don't break the bank, and look nice on paper. Note that they do smudge since the ink is so thick, so give them a few seconds to dry before touching!
Pen+Gear Retractable Gel Pens, Medium Point, 0.7 mm, Black Ink, 5 Count | Walmart
All uniball pens write nice in my opinion. The ink feels light on paper and the pens themself feel light. I like the 0.3mm and 0.5mm the most, but the 0.7mm here are also great!
uniball One Retractable Gel Pens, Medium Point (0.7mm), Black Ink, 4 Count | Walmart
So affordable & great for calligraphy. Personally, I use the soft-tip brush pen more because it is more flexible, but if you are new to calligraphy I recommend these to see what you like & to practice without feeling bad for “wasting” ink!
Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke Brush Pens, Hard and Soft Tip Brush Pens, Black, 2 Pack | Walmart
Fountain pens I picked up from Barnes&Noble one day & ended up loving! They add a nice texture to journals that make my handwriting look professional! +they come with notebook to practice on.
OOLY- Modern Script Fountain Pens and Journal | Barnes&Noble
Note that this is a mechanical PENCIL. It does the job for when I am drafting bullet journal pages and does not leave marks when erased! I love the grip, looks, and quality of this pencil! This pack also specifically comes with lead and erasers.
Pentel EnerGize Automatic Pencil with Lead and Erasers, 0.5mm, Assorted, 2 Pack | Walmart
Notebooks
Although expensive journals are nice, you do not need them to write down your thoughts, bullet journal, or take notes! In other words, any notebook, journal, or piece of paper can be used to organize your thoughts & notes. Here are some that I have tried & love!
My favorite & affordable bullet journal I use everyday for schedule planning & daily journaling. The notebook itself feels nice and the paper is not too thin nor too thick. I personally like dotted grid paper, but you you choose normal grid, ...
RETTACY Dotted Journal Notebook, A5, Leather, Sage Green | Amazon
Got these notebook recently and they are different from traditional notebooks. The size is a little smaller than normal paper, but is ideal for note taking! The paper almost feels like plastic, but when you write on it, ink does not smudge off. It is...
KOKUYO CAMPUS 3-Pack College Ruled Notebooks | Amazon
If you're looking for a pack of notebooks with less pages, these are great as they only have 30 pages each! You can have one notebook for each subject/event or even for each month if you want to use them for journaling!
KOKUYO CANVAS 5-Pack Semi-B5 Ruled Notebooks | Amazon
Happy items
Items you don't need but might make you happy (they make me happy). Sometimes I like to buy things that are helpful or fun, but I don't necessarily need. I call these items my “happy items”! So, if you want to treat yourself, consider getting them to...
I love stickers! And of course cat ones!
100 Pcs Cat Stickers, Funny Cat Meme Stickers | Amazon
Another style of cat stickers I love!
100 Pcs Cute Kawaii Cat Stickers | Amazon
Cute & unique stickers I think look good and blend well on any page. The cloth appearance on these stickers make them super cute & give a scrapbooking vibe, but I love to use them for bullet journaling (e.g. on boxes, outlines, etc.). They co...
PRSTINCOL Japanese Manga Stickers Book - 30 Sheets | Amazon
I loveeeee washi tape because they can add so much to a page for low effort. For example, I like to add them around the borders of a page, under titles, and even folded over a page as an identifier/bookmark!
24 Rolls Vintage Floral Washi Tape Set | Amazon
Another washi tape brand I love and this one specifically offers different widths & pattern styles! I also love them for their versatility! For example, I like to add them around the borders of a page, under titles, and even folded over a page as...
Mr. Pen Washi Tape Set, 21 Rolls, Outer Space | Amazon
Another washi tape I thought was super unique and beautiful! If you like a dark academic style, try this tape out on your journals!
Gold Foil Washi Tape Set - 24 Rolls Vintage Dark Academia | Amazon
The cutest pair of scissors I own! They are compact so they fit into any pencil case & blend in with the pens! Not the sharpest, but it does its job on paper when needed!
Twiggy Pen Style Non-Stick TSA-approved Scissors | Amazon
Rulers are very helpful especially when creating boxes for a bullet journal spread! I love this one because it comes with stencils that come handy once in a while & I can fit it in the back pocket of my journal!
Metal Stencil Bookmark for Bullet Journals | Amazon
Glue tape is one of the greatest hybrid creations in my opinion. It saves you time and your hands from residue! I love to use it when sticking photos or items to my bullet journal pages!
Note that for bigger projects however, I would use normal glue or scoth tape!
Note that for bigger projects however, I would use normal glue or scoth tape!
Secopad Double Sided Tape Roller 0.3INx26FT | Amazon