# Useful things to have on you every day **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 26, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512 "2008-11-26T01:48:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/1 "2008-11-26T01:48:50Z")
Inspired by [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=494720) thread. For those of us that want portable useful things that you might use everyday… Not looking to set up camp at a moment’s notice in a national disaster. I always have a [Leatherman Wave](http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsforhim/331c/) on my belt… Having external opening blades that lock on a utility tool makes it the best one I’ve used. Can take off the belt, open, and begin use with only one hand. I always have a mini Mag Lite on my keyring, AAA battery sized… Works great for those odd dark situations. A lighter… Can’t go wrong with that one. A sharpie marker. Not obvious, but I use it daily here and there as a tool to quickly mark something… And it marks EVERYTHING. Any other ideas? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/2 "2008-11-26T02:22:18Z")
A dependable pocket knife. Always know where your keys and wallet are. ALWAYS keep them in the same place. Otherwise, you will lose them. I keep a multi-tool in my 4x4 along with real tools. And never let your vehicle get below a ¼ tank of gas. Also keep a lighter in your vehicle. And a few flashlights. And an extra knife. Tow strap. Heavy cord. And bungee straps. Paper towels and some small plastic bags are good too. Heavy rubberized gloves (for changing a tire in 0 degrees) or walking. Highway flares. A good first aid kit. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/3 "2008-11-26T04:21:51Z")
Guitar pick. You’d be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/4 "2008-11-26T04:23:59Z")
Fingernail file and clippers. I hate raggedy nails. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/5 "2008-11-26T09:31:03Z")
I always carry safety pins in my purse. You never know when you might need one. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/6 "2008-11-26T09:35:24Z")
Umbrella Matches Hand Sanitizer Tiny Mirror lip balm Always in my bag ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/7 "2008-11-26T09:45:33Z")
Small notebook and a camera. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/8 "2008-11-26T09:58:31Z")
I have a Leatherman Micra, I believe it is, on my key chain. It’s the kind with scissors rather than pliers, and it’s incredibly handy. I gave my sister’s sons Leatherman Waves for their HS graduations, and both of them were very grateful. I think that they are good graduation gifts, far better than a pen & pencil set, unless the recipient is a pen collector. I always have a bandana or plain white handkerchief on me. And I always have a towel in my car. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/9 "2008-11-26T10:40:06Z")
In addition to the other things I carry with me, I **always** keep an extra shirt in the car. It may sound weird, but you really never know when that might come in handy. For me, it has at least three times. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/10 "2008-11-26T12:01:29Z")
Tiny but useful: band-aids for blisters, and two or so paracetamol in their foil packets for when headache strikes. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/11 "2008-11-26T12:08:52Z")
The bag I carry every day is full of all sorts of useful things. -Bandages -Neosporin -Paper clips -Safety pins -Sunglasses -Pens and pencils -A pencil sharpener -A pocket mirror -Two copies of the US Constitution (it’s a long story…) -A pirate eyepatch ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/12 "2008-11-26T14:45:11Z")
I always keep a pound of lard in my pocket. That way, if I get my head stuck between two bars I can grease up my ears and slide on out. \*from Viz magazine “top tips” circa 1980? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/13 "2008-11-26T14:46:57Z")
Money and/or a bank card. That way I can buy whatever I need. ---
**Author:** ![JusDubn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JusDubn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JusDubn)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/14 "2008-11-26T14:47:49Z")
I bring my Vanagon Westfalia with me most places. With its 2 beds, refrigerator, sink, 2-burner stove and storage for all the tools/flashlights/food I’d need for weeks I think I’m covered. Pulll over, pop the top, close the curtains, crack a beer, make the bed and you’re home! ---
**Author:** ![chromaticity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@chromaticity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chromaticity)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/15 "2008-11-26T15:55:29Z")
Umbrella Lip balm Tissues Thumb drive Mobile phone ATM card Photo ID ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/16 "2008-11-26T15:58:44Z")
I don’t carry a lot of things like that on my person or in my purse, but my car/office/home all have things like multitools, bandaids, hand-sanitizer, etc. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/17 "2008-11-26T16:17:23Z")
> [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > -Two copies of the US Constitution (it’s a long story…) Took me a minute to realize this one.. You hand one copy to the cop and read from the other? I kinda have a similar situation.. In just about every state there’s no law against taking photographs of just about anything from public property (i.e. walking down the sidewalk). I’ve been threatened to be taken to jail if I didn’t delete photos from my camera (one of three or four instances involved a city police officer _across the street from my subject in the background on the corner_). I had to print out a pamphlet from [http://carlosmiller.com/](http://carlosmiller.com/), a photographer who was in a high profile case regarding the same situation, and put it in my wallet. I don’t go around specifically taking photos of cops, but if a situation arises again I’m prepared. And it better come in useful.. One sheet of paper folded up to fit in a wallet is noticeable when I’m carrying the thing around. Unless you’re wooshing me **Leaffan** , will your bank card work when you’re trying to change a tire? When its 5 degrees out and your hands are cold while you’re trying to change said tire? When its _pouring_ and you gotta get about a mile to the next gas station without getting wet? When the power goes out and you’re in an unfamiliar place but you’d like to have the convenience of, say, not falling down stairs? If that was a woosh… I apologize. And another thing, **Electric Warrior** , what’s with the pirate eye patch? I’ve discovered a couple new items to toss in with the list of stuff I carry around every day. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/18 "2008-11-26T18:52:13Z")
On my person: A heavy bladed folding knife clipped to my pocket. Lip balm Pen In my bag: Swiss Army knife Small first aid kit with band aids, liquid bandage, disinfectant, antibiotic ointment and burn cream thumb drive book In my car: Change of shirt window breaker/seatbelt cutter tool high end first aid kit with pressure bandages, suture kit, emergency blanket, etc. large knife flashlight ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/19 "2008-11-26T18:55:24Z")
I always carry my swiss army knife in my pocket as well a pack of matches in my wallet. ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512/20 "2008-11-26T20:52:54Z")
Approximately 24 inches of insulated copper wire can be extraordinarily useful. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-things-to-have-on-you-every-day/474512.md?page=2)