There is nothing more frustrating than looking for something in your purse and digging and digging and pulling things out, and you still can't find it- especially in public. Doesn't it always happen when you need a pen to give that cute guy your number? Or when you are trying to pay at the store and can't find your ID or credit card? Or you show up for the gym and you know you have your membership card on you, but,... where is it?

One of the keys to a happy and successful life is being organized. So many people aspire to becoming organized that many even make New Year's resolutions about it. There are a ton of How To books on the subject, as well as a ton of organizational products on the market today to assist us. But for many women before they worry about cleaning out that closet, they need to start with that clutter-filled carry all bag they call their purse!

Use this fun and helpful checklist to get your handbags organized and be more prepared for everyday life.

What Should Be in Every Girl's Handbag and What Shouldn't

What Should Be in Every Girl's Handbag? 

Put yourself to the test: print this out, and compare it to the actual contents of your bag. The size of your purse; whether you carry a petite-small purse or a med-large purse, will affect how much will appropriately fit. This checklist will help you get organized and will also help you decide what size handbag you should really be carrying. You might find you are ready to go up or down a size.

Checklist:

__Wallet/ Coin Purse

What Should be in Every Girl's Wallet/ Coin Purse?

• ID/Driver's License
• Always Some Cash (minimum $5.00 emergency cash)
• 2 Credit Cards (No More than 2, leave the rest at home)
• Checkbook optional
• Grocery Store Club Cards
• Membership Cards (gym, library, etc)
• Frequent Purchase Cards (ex. buy 10 get one free cards)

__Keys

• Carry as few keys on your ring as possible. Carry only the ones you need (should be just your house, office, car, and mailbox) and put the rest on a separate key ring and leave at home. This will make your bag lighter but also will help protect you if you were to loose your keys.
• It is a good idea to carry a key to a friend's or family member's house (some place you could go in an emergency) with you.
• Keychain Light of some kind (flashlight, led). These lights have so many uses and every woman should have one on her key ring. Ideal for looking for something in your purse or car at night. They also can help you see your keyhole when going home, it is great for security.

__Cell Phone

__Lipstick and Mirror

• If toting more makeup than a lipstick, for after gym or night out later, items should be tucked in/ contained in a cosmetic bag, then put in your purse- NOT just thrown in loosely.

__Two Aspirin/ Tylenol

__Prescription Meds (at least 3 days worth)

__Band-Aids/ Blister Bandages (for those days you break in your new shoes, or get a minor cut) 

__Feminine Hygiene Products

__Travel Size Mouthwash/ Breath Mints/ Gum

__Pen and Tablet

__Reading Glasses optional

__Mace/ Pepper Spray

__Snack/ Energy Bar

__Sunglasses

__Nail File and Glue optional

__Travel Size Hand Lotion

__Travel Size Body Spray/ Perfume

• We suggest: cream perfume because it won't leak

__Organizer/ Palm Pilot

__I pod/ mp3 player optional

If you carry a Med-Large handbag, this is really the LIMIT for what should be in your purse.

 

Tip: If you have multiple handbags that you switch between, try leaving some basic essentials (emergency cash, feminine hygiene products, a pen, gum, aspirin, etc.) in each of your bags to make switching purses faster.

Please Also See Our Guide: How To Change Out Your Handbags Fast! 

What Shouldn't Be in Any Girl's Handbag?:

Small, loose items floating around the bottom (such as loose change, etc.)

Crumpled up receipts or trash

Nail polish

Makeup thrown in loosely

The kitchen sink

Anything not on the checklist!

Remember: the less you carry, the less you have to fumble through when you want to find your things! Less is better in your handbag. Before you put anything in your handbag, ask yourself, "Do I really need this in here?"

Additional Tip:

We have all tried to find our black wallet in a handbag with black interior lining, we call this the "Black Hole" problem.

Solution: Try carrying a colorful wallet or printed wallet that compliments your bag. This makes it easy to spot inside a deep bag, especially with a black lining.

We have a great selection of wallets in our ebay store 

If you are looking for a fabulous new handbag, browse our New Arrivals

Please visit our ebay store www.stores.ebay.com/Unique-Botique for more tips and to see our HUGE and UNIQUE selection of handbags and accessories!