What Do Boy Scouts Carry In Their Purses?

The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared." That is also one of the definitions we talk about for being an organized person-- being "Ready for Anything" (see our "N.E.A.T.E.R." definition here in this previous blog post). When I think about purses, I definitely think about Being Prepared and carrying what I might need for any number of eventualities.

As a Professional Organizer, people often ask me about what I carry in my purse for some reason. So, I am getting personal and showing you what specifically is in my little purse pouch that I switch over from one purse to another. It's not the only thing I carry-- I also have my wallet, my cellular phone, a little stuffable grocery bag, sunglasses, and other items. But this is the main "Boy Scout" pouch that keeps me feeling smart when I am out and about. You can click the images to make them larger-- I have annotated the one below to point out what things are.

A few unusual things to point out:

• Lint sheets: These are flat adhesive sheets that peel off and have a place to stick your hand through a loop to manage holding onto them. You can quickly get lint and hair off of your clothes with these. I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond.
• Scooby Doo ruler: Not only is it Scooby Doo, it animates and changes when you move it around in the light. Oooh! Are you jealous? I carry this because I sometimes need a straight-edge to draw things and it's very strong but small. Also I measure with it, obviously, but I do keep a Clutter Diet keychain measuring tape with my keys that I use more often when I am shopping.
• Address/shipping labels: I travel a lot so I keep return address labels for making quick luggage tags and filling out forms. Also I have a couple of shipping labels made out to my home address in case I want to ship a box back.
• Book of matches: I am not a smoker but have found surprisingly that these come in handy, mostly when there is a birthday cake and nobody can light the candles!
• Magnifying light: This is one of the very few things I have ever bought from a TV commercial. It's called the "OWL"-- "Optical Wallet Light." I bought some half-joking for my husband when he started wearing reading glasses, but I have used this SO many times in the dark as a flashlight to read something! (I also use my iPod or my Blackberry for a flashlight, but sometimes this is better.)
• Purse hook: I had one of these for a long time and it broke, and this is my second one. You can buy them at the Container Store and also people are making more artistic/pretty ones now. It is a way to hang your expensive purses from the edge of a table instead of putting them down on a dirty floor. I don't use it often, but when I need it, I am very glad to have it.

So, what things do you keep in YOUR purse to "be prepared?" Share in the comments! Of course people will certainly comment that I should have a Swiss Army Knife in there too-- but it would never get through security at the airport.  :)

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Comments

[Janet in Toronto]

I love this idea! This would save a lot of time as I swap between a purse, a gym bag, and a school bag. Off to find a pouch!

[Jerri Lyn]

* Travel-size tissues. I have a cloth cover which 1) is prettier! and 2) If the plastic cover doesn't stay closed it still keeps the tissues clean.

* Matches: I also use them in the bathroom

* I keep like items in snack-size baggies so they're easier to find.

[Elizabeth]

I'm never without eye drops, trial size moisturizer and a dollar-store sewing kit

[Genny Esterline]

Great idea to contain the essentials in a pouch. Nothing more frustrating than forgeting to move a needed item to the "purse of the day." I carry alot of the listed. One other item that comes to mind is my ipod. I won't go anywhere without it. I love it when I have unexpected downtime and can listen to a podcast or music. Also great to plug into the car radio for long drives.
Genny
www.connectionsforwomen.com

[Miriam]

I have been doing this for a while as well. My pouch is a clear one so I can see what is in there. I don't have the need for some of the items you mentioned, but I do carry some others - bandaids, extra safety pins, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and a small set of fingernail clippers.

[Andrea McLaughlin]

I'm a mom and even though my kids are now teenagers I have always had a pack just like this. However I call it my Nancy Drew Kit.

[Andrea McLaughlin]

I live in earthquake country. I have a full earthquake kit and first aid kit in the trunk. These never leave the car except to be replenished.

Car and house earthquake kits could be a good blog subject if you haven't done one already.

[Diana]

Recently unemployed, I have a "Tool Kit" that I keep in the car or at my front door so that I am ready for any emergency when I leave for interviews. My brother gave me a just right sized contractors tool bag with a "big mouth" opening that works perfectly for finding all the items quickly. I have the list in an excel spread sheet and check off all the items when I return home from the interview and restock what I have used.
*EXTRA STOCKINGS
*SMALL HAND TOWEL
*LINT ROLLER
*WATER
*ENERGY (option for water)
*HAIR BRUSH
*HAND LOTION
*WET ONES
*CHANGE (parkinG meters sometimes)
*TISSUES
*GUM
*LIPSTICK
*MAKE-UP BAG
*TIDE STAIN STICK
*MAPQUEST DIRECTIONS
*RESUMES
*PORTFOLIO (previous work examples)
*MAGNIFYING GLASS
*BOOKS(practice interview questions)
*APPLICATION (peviously completed)
*JOB DESCRIPTION
*NOTEPAD (after interview notes for next time)

Thank you.

[Lorie Marrero]

Wow, Diana, with that kind of process and dedication someone would be a fool not to hire YOU! Best of luck in your job search! - Lorie

[melody]

ha! people tease me for all the "stuff" I have in my purse, but I have no more than your little pouch has in it! (well, ok, I have eye drops and bandaids in mine too) can't wait to tell my husband I'm just organized!
I find it rather humorous that the same folks who tease me about the size of my purse are also the ones who always need to use something I have in there!

[CheapNLazy]

Isn't this The Clutter DIET Blog?
I CARRY as little as possible.

My "PURSE" is a MOBO smart vertical cell wallet that also holds 4 cards (or 3+ folded check/labels/backup $) & clips to belt (so no carry). Smart cell holds calendar, memos, photos, phone#.

POCKETS store lip gloss, handkerchief, keys w/light & reusable water bottle (in cargo pocket a/n). Again no carry.

WALKING BAG (CARRY a/n to library/park/store w/dog stuff). Dog leash has D-clip & poop bags.

BIKE BAG (on bike) w/comb & tools.

CAR GLOVE BOX holds a box w/ toiletries, knife & flashlight.

CAR CADDY stores sanitizer, wet wipes, garbage, extra space.

CAR TRUNK stores umbrella, car shade, nestable plastic shopping totes, auto/sew/medical/emergency kits.

WORK BOX has basic toiletries that I carry in my lunch bag or store in a desk drawer.

[Mary Warren]

I am with CheapNLazy. The smaller the purse, the better. I had a friend challenge me one day about how often I really used all the stuff I had in my larger purse. So I put everything that I HAD TO HAVE in an envelope and carried it separately for a couple of weeks. Surprise! I really didn't need all that stuff after all!

Now I carry everything in a fanny pack or a very small purse with enough compartments for checkbook, pen, cash, driver's license, debit card, cell phone all with a long strap handle. I clip my sunglass case onto this and I am all set.

There is one thing extra I do carry now and that is a spare car key! I think you can guess why!

[Lorie Marrero]

Hi Mary & CheapNLazy, I do agree that carrying less is better when you can—that is why I have things in “modules” like this. I often grab only the wallet and cell phone and walk out the door, when picking up the boys from school or whatever. But when traveling, going out for the whole day, or going on an “excursion” of some kind I really like having my Boy Scout pouch so that I am prepared for anything that I typically need. Thanks for your comments! - Lorie

[Christine Simiriglia]

Hi Lorie... I carry a huge purse. I'm looking in it now and I have a diabetes meter, insulin, my wallet, a makeup case, keys, Excedrin, a blackberry, my work ID, tampons, eyeglass cleaning cloth, and a small umbrella. This is much less than I used to carry as my blackberry has replaced a lot of paper.

For information on organizing the inside of one's purse, folks can read this piece: http://www.organize-more-stress-less.com/Organize-Your-Purse.html

[Barbara Kennedy]

I carry a list of my meds, business cards of my internist and cardiologist, nitroglygerin & aspirin and tell all my friends it is always in my purse -- inside the clear zip packet.

[Hazel Thornton]

Hmmm...I'm thinking a Girl Scout is more likely to carry a purse...did you know their motto, too, is "Be Prepared"?

[Port Douglas hotels]

I also have my own personal purse whenever I go out or travel.

[Jayne]

Loved the lists! I got some new ideas to add to my little bag and have one to suggest: a cough drop or two. Ever been in church and had a tickle in the throat? Uh-huh, thought so! :)