Try to carry only what is necessary in your handbag and keep it under 3 pounds as recommended by the ACA (American Chiropractic Association.) Having said that, I know everyone has their own idea of what qualifies as “necessary”– some people wouldn’t leave the house without having three shades of “emergency” lipstick, while for others aspirin is a necessity. Ultimately we all have to decide for ourselves what our three pounds of necessities will consist of… there are no right or wrongs.
But I do have some practical suggestions that may help in your decision making process.
WHAT SIZE BAG IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
The bottom line is to carry everything you need to be comfortable while not weighing yourself down, having enough room to organize your “necessities” or putting yourself at the unnecessary risk of losing vital documents better left at home.
A WOMAN IS AS COMPLEX AS THE CONTENTS OF HER HANDBAG; “EVEN WHEN YOU GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING AT THE BOTTOM TO SURPRISE YOU”
~Billy Connelly
We already discussed, “How to Organize Your Handbag,” in the December 9th blog, so now let’s talk about what you should and shouldn’t carry. The things you carry with you are as personal and unique as you are–I have one friend who goes nowhere without a mini bottle of Tabasco Sauce-who am I to judge? I’m hoping this checklist will guide you in choosing the right size bag and help guide you in traveling light so you’re more comfortable and organized.
P.S. – Tabasco Sauce is not on the list.
A CHECKLIST FOR ESSENTIALS ON THE GO
#1 – Keys
TIP: It’s better not to have your address on your keys in case they’re lost.
#2 – Cell Phone
TIP: Remember to pass code-protect your phone and preferably carry a phone with the ability to be locked in case it’s stolen or lost.
#3 – Wallet
*See our full selection of Jane Marvel Wallets
#4 – Driver’s License
#5 – Credit Cards
TIP: Try to limit yourself to one or two cards. I keep a Xerox copy of the credit cards I carry (front and back) and keep it in a safe place at home. If my wallet is ever lost or stolen, all the information necessary to cancel the cards (phone numbers, credit card numbers, expiration dates etc.) is in one place and it makes it so much easier at a stressful time.
#6 – Makeup/Cosmetics: Carry only what you’ll need.
TIP: Use Jane Marvel cosmetic bags and pencil cases to keep your makeup organized.
#7 – Chap Stick
*Because gloss doesn’t ‘unchap’ your lips.
#8 – Money
#9 – Change
*Carry enough for parking meters & tolls-but not enough to weigh you down.
#10 – A Pen
*A must!
#11 – Emergency Contact Numbers
#12 – Pain Killers and/or Medications You Use
#13 – Tissues
#14 – Moist Towelettes or Hand Sanitizer
#15 – A Tampon
#16 – Safety Pins
*These come in handy for everything from a loose button to broken shoulder strap… you’ll be happy to have safety pins available when you need one.
#17 – Hand Lotion
#18 – Tick Tacks
#19 – Rubber Bands or Hair Ties
#20 – Mirror
TIP: Buy a lipstick case with a mirror inside, like this one from Guerlain and kill 2 birds with one stone.
#21 – A Hairbrush
#22 – Sunglasses
#23 – Sun Block
TIP: Buy a tinted moisturizer with sun block like this one from Laura Mercier.
#24 – A Small Flashlight
Boy did I wish I had one when we had our last blackout! Better yet, get the flashlight AP on your iPhone.
#25 – Metro Card
#26 – Insurance Card
* This is an important item to carry for emergencies.
EXTRAS TO CONSIDER CARRYING
Coupons/Receipts - You never know when you’ll pass by a CVS or Bed Bath and Beyond and wish you had that 20% off coupon with you.
Couple of Band-Aids – These always come in handy for new-shoe-blisters as well as paper cuts.
Dental Floss
Toothbrush
Eye drops
iPod
Small umbrella – Rainy days only!
An energy bar or some nuts
A bottle of water if you have enough space
Swiss army knife or some multi-tool thing
A notebook – Unless you think your phone will serve this purpose for you.
THINGS TO CONSIDER LEAVING AT HOME
I don’t want to sound like your mother, but having lost my bag once I’ve learned the hard way what NOT TO CARRY in my handbag unless I have a really good reason.
#1 – Checkbook
Unless you plan on using it, leave it home. Checks have a lot of information useful to thieves- your bank account number, your routing number and your bank name (I suggest you always opt out of putting your address and telephone number on your checks for safety reasons).
#2 – Numerous Credit Cards
It’s best to limit yourself to one or two pieces of plastic. Carrying fewer credit cards limits the amount of financial damage a thief can do, makes it easier to cancel & track charges when they are stolen…and it sure makes your personal accounting a heck of a lot easier to boot.
#3 – Mucho Dinero
I’ve got a friend who carries wads of cash with her, but typically only uses it for taxis—she charges everything else. So why carry it if you don’t need it? If you lose cash, it’s gone forever. At least with credit cards you’re covered by insurance for anything charged (providing you notify the bank asap) and you can hopefully cancel the cards before they’re used. There are very few things a credit card won’t buy these days…even taxis.
#4 – Flash or USB Drive
I love to carry my little USB Drive with me—but I keep some sensitive information on it and started to think better of it. I need it with me, so I started carrying it in my pocket—a little safer and a little less likely to get lost.
#5 – ATM Card
I carry this card only when I need it. Yes, I suppose I could have an emergency…but I haven’t had one yet. I carry $20-30.00 of “emergency money’ tucked inside my wallet. I’d rather lose $20 than my ATM card. I guess it depends on your habits.
THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER CARRY UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
#1 – Your Social Security Card
With identity theft as widespread as it is, the last thing you want to lose is the one card, which identifies every aspect of your financial and personal life. I keep mine in a safety deposit box at my local bank. On the rare occasion that I need it, I just make the trip to my financial institution.
#2 – Passport and Birth Certificate
If you have a license you don’t need either of these documents. Furthermore, if you lose your license you may need these documents to prove who you are to replace other lost documents.
Happy Organizing!
Jane Marvel
