OT: OK, What IS essential?

Hi Nel,

Can you cut down a bit on the contents of the things in your bag? i.e. slim down what is in each "kit". Also think when did I last use? about each item. Also a smaller version of the things - smaller notebook, lighterweight (dunno if that is a proper word) pen.......

I find it is my wallet itself that is heavy even without anything in it. Keeping small change to a minimum helps too, it gets heavy remarkably quickly.

Lizzy

Ah ha! good question ... Wallet and change purse. Cloth hankies + several tissues. Pen and notebook (tiny or a few small pieces of paper). Comb. Cheap glasses for reading labels in shops. Driving licence. Garage door remote control. House keys (two doors) and car keys. My bags are always heavy, as they are usually leather; which is why I always carry the minimum.

Is that anything like yours? >g< . In message , Sartorresartus writes

Yes, very similar, almost identical, in fact.

Add face-mask for CPR, Ipod and earphones, Mobile phone, Kindle (if there's a wait anywhere), loyalty cards, meds (one dose of each, labelled) and clean knickers. Oh and a Swiss Army knife and a small collapsible cup.

Be prepared, or what!?

Nel (GQ)

And what about hand lotion, hand sanitizer, band-aids, credit cards, chewing gum/mints, spare keys in case I lock one set in my truck, lip balm, perfume/cologne, foundation/make-up, small mirror, emergency notification sheet, measuring tape (you'd be surprised how often I use it!), elastic bands and clips for my hair, etc. Nope, I do not carry dog treats but just about everything else! I'd be frightened to weigh my *large* shoulder bag. Maybe this is why I have arthritis..... the weight of my 'hand'bag? ;-)

And don't even ask what I keep in my truck- casual shoes in case my feet start hurting, my fishing equipment and folding chair (you never know when the mood might strike!) an emergency roadside kit with jumper cables, flares, fix-a-flat, first aid supplies, flashlight, etc., an area wide phone book, a quilt/blanket, pens, perfume, ashtrays (why don't vehicles have them any more??? even non-smokers always find something to store in them), gum, hand sanitizer, CDs, sunglasses, hairbrush, rubber bands, tow strap, bungee cords, maps, tissues and fast food napkins, spare flashlight, pens and highlighter, ball cap, a book for doctor's office waits, maintenance records for my truck, snow/ice scrapers, freezer bag for cold storage for groceries..... sheesh!

And with my pantry always full I usually have a spare 40 lb. bag of dog food in my truck, too! Maybe there's a reason I'm single??? LOL

Leslie- be prepared for anything and everything & The Furbabies in MO.

Yes, very similar, almost identical, in fact.

Add face-mask for CPR, Ipod and earphones, Mobile phone, Kindle (if there's a wait anywhere), loyalty cards, meds (one dose of each, labelled) and clean knickers. Oh and a Swiss Army knife and a small collapsible cup.

Be prepared, or what!?

Nel (GQ)

You inspired me to clean out my purse.

After chucking out the 10 year old breath mints, the ancient receipts, the odd bits of trash, and the phone numbers on napkins and whatnot that I have no idea about who they go to, and scrounging nearly $10 in loose change, I am left with:

Sewing kit lockstitcher bottle of liquid thread (mostly for hose) small tube of goop bottle of superglue tube of glucose tablets packet of tissues packet of baby wipes

2 pens (the first one never writes no matter which one it is) a capped pencil (for when the second pen won't write either) a 5x7 inch sketchbook with drawing pencil (in an elastic loop on the book) a notepad to save my sketchbook from phone numbers (and to avoid more unidentifiable napkins) a ziplock snacky bag with hair ties a folding brush/comb thingie a pocket knife

My wallet sometimes goes into my purse, but often goes into a zipper pocket in my coat or jacket.

It is amazing how often I use most of this stuff. I think part of it is being out and about with people who wear a lot of leather or pleather and really mangle their clothes.

I am going to be looking for a change purse to avoid the gross tonnage of loose change in the future.

NightMist

Some of my friends are starting to wear a Scottevest

NAYY. It's full of specialized pockets forjust about everything. Distributes the weight evenly and leaves yourhands free.

To go to the supermarket, I need a hanky, my debit card, driver's license, keys and very rarely a pair of sunglasses. (And if I ride my bike to the local shop, I can leave the license at home.)

What does your bag weigh all by itself?

I dump my bag at least >I have just weighed my handbag (purse). It weighs 2.5kg/5-6lbs

Wow, Leslie! What a haul . >g< Almost enough to go on holiday >g< . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

The car is a different matter, depending on Winter or Summer.

Winter has all the 'could get stuck in the snow' stuff and Summer has ' might have a picnic or go camping' kit. I swap it about as necessary.

The electronic stuff seems to be my downfall. Kindle, Ipod, earphones, and Blackberry weigh a bit. And all those 'credit card' sized membership cards. I leave those out at my peril. I may not go to half the places often, but it a real pita if I get to one and find I forgotten the 'get in free' card.

I think I need to look at this as two problems: what I need ON me and what I need within arm's reach. I hate not to have the right things with me, and I get awfully huffy if I can't take a boy scout out of a horse's hoof at the side of the road! Be prepared, but for what? Armeggedon? I just have this mission to be useful in an emergency, I suppose.

Break glass and call for Nelly!

Nel (Gadget Queen)

We tend to travel with a lot of essentials in the car because we are in earthquake country here. I need to carry less and just have Nel within reach! My cousin is like you Nel. She is ready for every eventuality. I carry little as possible in my purse. I was in the waiting room at the dr. a few years ago and a gal was talking to her friend about her bad shoulder she was there to have looked at. When called she hefted this huge bag over the 'bad' shoulder and headed off. I could have diagnosed her problem! A heavy bag will irritate my bum neck some days. I would say really essential is a phone, ID and some cash. Beyond that everything else is extra fluff. Taria

I've gotten to the point where about the only thing I carry when I go out is my wallet, phone and keys if I'm driving. If I'm going a distance I'll grab a tin of mints but I usually just keep a tin of those in the car. Wallet contains necessary cards, license, etc. I put everything in my pockets when I get to where I'm going. This gets a little problematic in warmer weather when I'm not wearing a coat/ jacket but still doable. I just carry the wallet in my hand. Phone and keys can still go in shorts/pants pockets. Usually carry cash in my pockets versus wallet. Got into that habit when working in the corporate world and off to the cafeteria for lunch. Just couldn't be bothered carrying purse, lunch tray with drinks, etc. I'd carry my purse into/out of the office and never use it again all day. I wear my cheater glasses on a 'granny chain' around my neck so they are handy and sunglasses sit on my head when not in use.

Kim in NJ

I have been engaged in making purses of various configurations for the last year, for different people and here is what I found works for most of them. I make pockets around the inside of the bottom of the the purse to hold certain items, as defined as essential by the user. Cell phone, check book, makeup, whatever. The center of the bottom of the purse is therefor left free for unintended carrying of items of transient interest. The other "must have" is a lanyard or strap which is connected to the upper edge of the purse, with a snap hook on the loose end, to which are attached, house, and car keys, and a small coin purse with credit cards and drivers license, and other cards of importance. This allows the owner to quickly access the most often used items without going into the dumpster diving mode, that I see most women doing. It seems to work for those that I have made the purses for, as the organization is helpful in facilitating the carrying of all the stuff that women find necessary. If you also have to use your purse as a diaper bag, and child toy chest, I think you are over utilizing a single carrying space, and might be better served with a second bag for special carrying needs. Just some thoughts from somebody who has studied the problem from a different perspective, of helpful purse making spouse, who enjoys catering to the whims of his wife's needs. I even reduced the rear hip bulk of my own wallet, by dividing the credit cards to a secondary thin leather folding sleeve that is worn on the opposite rear side, and thereby balancing the carrying load, and possibly saving me from the need of a hip transplant from sitting on one of those bricks I see some men carrying in their rear pocket. John

I just stuff my phone down my bra and my wallet in my pocket,and I'm good to go! Keys? Not unless there will be no-one home when I get back.

It's that or the pantechnicon with the kitchen sink et al...

I'll bet she has it on vibrate.

And hoping she gets lots of calls. Gen

Nickelback's Rock Star! :D