So, I was thinking about this today - I know we did a thread on unusual things one might find in our purse/bag. But I was wondering, other than the expected things:
[ul]
[li]Driver’s License/ID[/li][li]Cell phone[/li][li]Keys[/li][li]Money[/li][li]Credit/Debit Cards[/li][li]Personal products like condoms or tampons[/li][li]Pens[/li][/ul]
**What are 5 things you usually always make sure are in your purse, pockets or bag/briefcase? And why? (if they are atypical) **
For me, the list is pretty basic:
[ul]
[li]A pair of earrings (I often forget to put them on before I leave the house)[/li][li]A USB cable for my phone[/li][li]A disposable razor (I shave in the shower and hate when I realize I’ve missed a spot)[/li][li]Alka Seltzer (with my celiac’s - if I get glutened, it helps me from getting too sick)[/li][li]My Charlotte Geeks button (I wear it so people can find me at the Geek Meets)[/li][/ul]
A little korg metronome/tuner. I’m a music major who also often forgets her real metronome when heading to the practice rooms, so this one’s in a side pocket of my bag as a spare. It also has a ‘mute’ setting so I can check my tempo right before going onstage to perform.
Fingernail clippers. They are hangnail or splinter insurance!
A USB thumb drive.
A mini bottle of Tylenol, which also holds a dose or two of needed medicines if I’m staying out.
A tiny waterless hand soap. I’m not a germophobe, but I do often have to touch shared instruments, be around sick kids, or just get ink all over my hand (I’m left-handed).
– a baseball cap and hairbands. My hair is longish (mid-back) and I like putting it up when I’m outside for a while in the heat, or driving with the windows open or top down. The baseball cap is mostly for driving with the top down, but it comes in handy when I need to run to the store on the way home from the gym and my hair is nasty.
– lipstick. I know most females have this, but for some reason I have about 8 tubes of all colors.
– earbuds for my iphone
– little individual packets of Tabasco. Yeah, I know, but I like things spicy.
– BC powder. Because sometimes Happy Hours last longer and are more fun than you intended.
I don’t have five things, but I always have an umbrella in my purse. Even in winter. It’s just easier to leave it in there. Plus, this winter I needed it!
Nail clippers (I HATE hang nails, and they’re good at cutting/opening things in a pinch)
Chapstick
Make-up pouch (The only reason this is weird is because I probably only wear makeup 10% of the time. Also, you will find very little makeup in my actual house. What I use, I have on me.)
USB Drive (Never know when you’ll be somewhere and need to grab a document from someones computer.)
Something to write on. Scraps of paper, or a mini notebook. I always have pens, but it drives me nuts when I need to write down directions, or a phone number, and can’t find a slip of paper.
Advil
Benadryl, in case one of my extremely mild food allergies suddenly turns serious
Swiss Army knife (which nobody expects on a skirt-wearing young woman, apparently)
Little notepad
Lip balm
Pony bands
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation barrier mask
NYC subway map
Tiny booklet with afternoon, evening, and post-meal prayers (Jewish)
Granola bar
Glasses repair kit
Tissues
Pen(s)
Other than those plus the usual wallet/keys/phone/personal feminine products, and my most recent shopping list or two, that’s everything. I very rarely carry anything else in there, temporarily or semi-permanently, and have a small-to-medium bag. (It’s a long list, but nearly everything on it is tiny.)
A couple books
My Magnificat
My wallet
Mace/ keys
cell phone
puzzle book
pens
lipstick/chapstick
reading glasses/ sunglasses
gum
tissues
hand lotion
sunscreen
address book
notepad
snacks
towlettes
hand sanitizer
cough drops
small bottle of Motrin
nail clipper
bobby pins
Left front pocket
iPhone (Phone, Camera, text, Internet and iPod)
Wallet (between 20 and 50 dollars, unless there’s a special need, multiple credit/debit cards, Drivers license, and a few frequently used rewards cards like the buy X get one free at the doggy daycare)
Right front pocket:
Keys
Multitool (screw driver, bottle opener, can opener, cork screw, plyers, etc)
Clean, sharp knife
Dirty, also sharp but more worn knife
Pen
Back pockets:
Sometimes, but not always a pocket steno. I carry this around less since I got my iPhone.
If I have my messenger bag with me,
iPad
USB charging cable
AC power adapter for USB charger
Pens, pencils
Full sized steno pad
Pocket steno pad
I think that’s it, at this point, so much of the stuff I put in. My pockets is routine that I have to tank about my daily load out in order to tell someone about it. Like a boy scout, I try to be prepared for any situation.
Hard candies I’ve accumulated.
Gum/breath mints.
Newspaper clippings, hand-drawn maps to get to Timbuktu.
Bandaids (mostly for putting on my feet if my shoes are rubbing).
Scraps of paper, 2-3 pens.
Paper clips.
Mini flashlight.
Tape measure (I am astonished at how handy it is to have one.)
Credit cards, store cards, gift cards from Christmas.
Ibuprofen, Tums, a couple of aspirin.
Handi-wipes (for washing hands before eating).
Hand sanitizer, mini-bottle.
Mini address book.
Lists, more lists, and lists of lists. Old lists too, in case I forget to put something on the new lists.
Coupons ( for groceries and restaurants; never use them, but just in case)
Cash, and a separate coin purse for change (though I find myself turning into my mother, digging for change at the checkout…)
A mooshed up granola bar or candy bar.
A mini bottle of 5 Hour Energy (rarely, to be swigged on a super-busy day).
Diamond dust nail file.
Lipstick and eyeliner.
Cough drops.
That’s all!
Bigger stuff goes in the Humane Society nylon tote.
If I’m not carrying my purse, I don’t bring anything that isn’t absolutely necessary (ID, debit card, insurance card and keys). With a purse the non-typical stuff I carry:
spoon
utility knife
There are other things in there, but they’re pretty typical. I prefer to not have my purse at all and keep things simple.
