Suggestions On Paring Down What I Carry!

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catsoup

catsoup

Flunked Bag Rehab
O.G.
Jul 9, 2009
35
1
#1
I am tired of having to forage through my bag whenever I need something! I am carrying around too much and need help in paring down. I don't carry things I don't NEED, so I am stuck as to how to carry less.

My purse always has in it:
  • asthma rescue inhaler
  • pens
  • pads/'pons
  • makeup (lip balm, lipstick, mirror, blotting papers, small tweezers)
  • lotion
  • prescription sunglasses (need these to drive)
  • glasses (need these to see when not driving!)
  • wallet
  • notepad
  • pepper spray
  • small bottle of Tylenol, blister pack of antacid
  • iPhone
  • Keys

It doesn't seem like a lot. But the glasses cases are kind of bulky. The pepper spray is a small bottle but I'm sure I'd be dead long before I'd be able to dig it out of my bag and use it on an attacker. :-s

Any help on being lower-maintenance? Thanks!
 
#3
Hmmm, I find I can't do that - don't drive! I have a small insert bag and I put the stuff I can't do without in it like..

* asthma rescue inhaler
* pads/pons - 1 of each, the rest in the car
* get a small pill box for your Tylenol and antacid
* pens - buy a small diary pen - they're tiny but still do the job
* makeup (lip balm, lipstick, mirror, blotting papers, small tweezers)
* lotion (put some in a little bottle - you don't need to carry ALL of it)

Put these inthe bag - if everything else is contained in the small bag, you'll find them easily.
* prescription sunglasses (need these to drive)
* glasses (need these to see when not driving!)
* wallet
* notepad
* pepper spray
* iPhone
My bag has a place to hang them - maybe stitch in a loop?
* Keys
Probably haven't solved all your problem, but hope this helps!!
* asthma rescue inhaler
* pads/'pons (only one of each - the rest in the glovebox)
* makeup (lip balm, lipstick, mirror, blotting papers, small tweezers)
* lotion
* wallet

* notepad
* pepper spray
* small bottle of Tylenol, blister pack of antacid
* iPhone (in the side pocket)
My tote has a clilp for keys!
 
#4
Have you considered buying one of those purse inserts? (Chamelion, purses to go, pursket)? They are liners that you place all your contents in and then put in the bag. It might help! I don't think what you are carrying is unreasonable. It might help you to be more organized. I bought one and need to buy another for my large hobo because I have the exact problem as you.

Of course, my idea of an "ideal" bag is one that has sections and many interior pockets built in and the weight of this leather bag is less than a pound! Hey! I can dream, can't I? ;) Hope I was able to help!
 
#5
first sort of the stuff you HAVE to have - like wallet, inhaler, keys and reg glasses.

put the stuff that KittyCat mentioned into the car.

You can get smaller / lighter versions of many things

-only 1 pen, mini notepad
-carry travel size lotion - or take out of purse leave some at desk and some in car
-use small travel size mirror

If you still want the tylenol & antacids get a small pill case. The container store has lots of little containers that could help you downsize lotions / pills if you still fell that you need to carry them all.
 
#7
Could you put some things in others? For example, my notebook and pen fits in my long wallet. Then have a smaller bag like a Ziplock just for pads, Tylenol and the inhaler. Then an even smaller bag for your iPhone and keys. Another bag can go for makeup...

Leave the driving glasses in the car. You don't need the extra weight!

For me, my bag has a purse divider in the middle, so I can just divvy up what I need.
 
#8
Interesting thread - I'm always trying to pare down because I prefer smaller purses and also because heavy bags aggravate my shoulder pain. But every time I try I only get to the end of my street before I need something I left at home! I don't drive to work so whatever I need has to go with me.

Someone on tPFwas doing a 'wristlet challenge' to see how long she could go using just a large Coach wristlet and no bag. I tried it but then I had to carry a grocery bag for my book, umbrella, lunch and sunglasses that all normally fit in my Coach Hailey.
 
#10
#12
I'm carrying much less this year compared to last year, and that's mostly thanks to switching from A5 to a small agenda. Also, I stopped carrying a wallet - I bought a preloved LV Empreinte Clés and it now carries my keys, cash and the 6 cards I need for workdays. If I know I'm going to need anything else, my Lancel pochette clés (which served as my key pouch for a long time) holds all my other cards and is easy to throw in my bag. Everything else from mini tablet to travel pharmacy to makeup to my mixed essentials is something I refuse to leave behind if I leave anywhere further than the shops near by. I can't be out and about without my migraine meds, bandaids, eye drops, other miscellaneous medicines etc. It's those times I've left the forementioned at home when I get a migraine, indigestion or some other crisis creeping up on me.
 
#13
My suggestions:

• Asthma inhaler - KEEP! But talk to your doc to see if there is an alternative.
• Ditch the pen - use Evernote on your phone or borrow one.
• Only carry pad/pon a day or 2 before Aunt Minnie visits
• Makeup - put blotting paper in wallet. Keep lip color consider swapping to one which is moisturizing to ditch the lip balm. Tweeze before you leave - unless you are Mrs. Sasquatch you can't need to tweeze regularly through the day :lol: Ditch the mirror and use your phone camera in selfie mode.
• Lotion - a fellow TPF'r uses lotion in flat single use packets instead of travel sized bottles to save space.
• Glasses - consider getting one pair with lenses that transition dark to light. Even better, get LASIK. :cool:
• Wallet - downsize to small French purse or card case. Carry 2 folded checks inside. No check book.
• Notepad - Ditch. See above and use Evernote on your phone.
• Pepper spray - Security it serious. But I've read that having PS (or a taser, etc.) is useless unless you are trained and prepared to use it. When attacked, adrenaline is flowing and we'd have to rustle around to get the PS. In that time the (likely male) attacker would overpower us. So, I would ditch the PS and take a self defense class in which the guys don't go "easy" but really train you.Then continue to be very careful where you go. We want you safe!
• Meds - carry 2 of each in folded paper / mini envelope
• Keys - take off any keys you don't use daily. Ditch all key chains. Ditch all store, gym key cards - they can pull your account up with you phone number and / or id.

Happy consolidating!
 
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#14
I have been trying for weeks to downsize my continental sized wallet and the thirty some cards in my life to a small wallet and less cards. But I give up. I made it down to twenty something needed cards and I just am so much happier in a 16-slot large wallet than a small card case or wallet that has less slots.
 
#15
Lots of great suggestions already! If you have to wear glasses all the time then you only need one case to switch between storing your regular and sunnies. If you can't totally dump the notepad, just tear off and store a few sheets in your wallet. I collect all my random makeup, pills, pen, 'pon, etc in a rectangular makeup case (Kate Spade Berrie) so it only feels like 1 item in my purse.

And just having a second set of whatever you might need stored in the car for emergencies can give you peace of mind without having to have it in your purse.
 
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