Being a mom is a busy job. We’ve got chores around the house, errands to run, activities to chauffeur kids to, and ideally some time to workout and socialize to keep our minds and bodies healthy in the process.
We end up spending a lot of time in our cars, toting all of our necessities in our handbag as we navigate our busy days. Over the years, I’ve realized that there are some items that I need more often than others and some that are critical to ward off minor catastrophes.
Today I’m sharing my purse essentials list for other moms on the go, along with my tips for keeping them organized and easy to grab on your way out the door.
I think of my purse essentials in two categories: personal and business/financial. I divide items in my purse according to personal vs business so it’s easier for me to find what I’m looking for. For example, if I need to jot down a note, it makes sense to keep my mini notebook and pen near each other in my purse.
Personal Items
These are all the things that I usually don’t think about until I’m out and just about to walk in to meet someone. You know, that moment when you realize you have coffee breath and your hands are dry and chalky.
- Glasses
- Hand Lotion
- Hand Sanitizer
- Lip Balm
- Sanitizing wipes
- Nail Clippers and/or Nail File
- Bobby Pins, Hair Ties, Hair Clips
- Mints and/or Gum
- Stain Removal Wipes
- Pain Reliever
- Bandages
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Reusable Bag
- Protein Bars
Business/Financial Items
Being out and about a lot means I often have to manage my business and my household away from home. In addition, many of my errands involve making payments, taking notes, etc. so I keep several business/financial items with me at all times.
- Phone
- Wallet
- Credit Card(s)
- Debit Card
- Auto Club Card
- Cash
- Checkbook
- Business Cards and Mommy Cards
- Mini Notebook
- Pen(s)
- Headphones
- Portable Phone Charger
- Flash Drive
How to Organize Purse Essentials
I literally spent years looking for the perfect purse. I wanted one that was big enough to fit all of my essentials without being too big. I needed it to have lots of pockets so I could easily organize my items.
Plus, it had to be comfortable to carry, work with a variety of outfits, be durable and easy to keep clean, zip close so items wouldn’t fall out, etc. If you’ve ever set out to find your perfect purse, you know this was a fruitless journey.
No purse had ALL of the features I wanted. We need different purses to work with different outfits, and our different needs on different days (e.g. heading to a conference I favor Polene bags, but on a quick errand, I only need a wristlet.
So, how could I make sure I had all my essentials with me without moving items back and forth between multiple purses? By keeping them all in a portable organizer that easily fits in almost all of them.
There are dozens of organizer pouches to choose from. I opted for one that is expandable so on longer outings I can throw in a water bottle and other items I don’t usually need.
Even chock-full, it fits nicely in my handbag.
I always have a granola bar in my purse. Those Balance bars look good! My MIL swore by her purse organizer, but she switched purses every couple days. I’m a one purse until it’s absolutely falling apart type of person. But I always look for the same features, just the right pockets and a zipper to close when I am forced to find a new one.
I love the purse organizer, and thank you for the great ideas! I am always looking for hair ties at work and never have them… I am going to add some to my purse right now!
The Balance bars look delicious! I am going to pick some of those up to keep in my purse, too!
I always have mints/gum and Kleenex!
I am a 52 year old, female with hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, COPD,(on oxygen therapy 24/7), multi vitamins deficit, especially vitamin B12,D,Potassium, iodine, etc.,as well as other health issues. My body isn’t absorbing vitamins, so I could definitely use these Balance Bars. Thank you for the chance.
I always have hand sanitizer and so many various pens and pencils that I loose count. A snack bar would be a great thing to carry. Love the organizer
Those turtle pecan bars sound so good! I have such a sweet tooth so if I can justify it with something remotely healthy? Win!
A snack bar and lip balm.