Lightening Up for Spring

With some embarrassment, I must admit that I have so far failed to fulfill my one New Year's resolution: to lighten up my very large and heavy purse. Since I walk to and from work, there's a very real benefit to carrying less, and yet I just haven't gotten around to it. So, to encourage myself to get this task done, here's some thoughts on those bulky purses and wallets:

Purses: Woman's Day Magazine recently reported that the average woman now holds over 67 items in her purse, and our purses now weigh in at over three and a half pounds. (I've never weighed my purse but that sounds disturbingly possible.)

Some tips for lightening your purse:

Pam Woods, What's in Your Purse, suggests: "Carry a separate tote for children's toys, snacks, etc. That way you won't have to lug in all the kids things as well as your own when making quick stops at the grocery store or dry cleaners."

On the other hand, 1citygirl, How to Lighten Your Purse Load, says: "If you're a young Mom, forget toting around a diaper bag and a purse. Many designer diaper bags are now offered that give you the ease of toting around all of baby's essentials as well as yours. While they will cost you a little more, it's worth it to not have to keep track of two bags all day. Consider buying a small handbag for those nights that you leave baby at home."

Whichever way you decide to go on that issue, they both that we should clean out the clutter, carry only what we really need, and than continue to clean out our purses on a regular basis, perhaps even every evening if you are a clutter collector.

They also agree that choosing the smallest bad you can is best. Less space means less tendency to carry around stuff you don't really need.

Besides considering purse size, you will also want to choose a comfortable shoulder bag with short, wide straps. Short straps keep the weight of your bag tucked under your arm where it's easier to manage and better on your back. Don't choose a bag with metal or chain straps, or one with thick leather straps. These straps just dig into your shoulder, causing more pain.

When trying to choose essentials, Pam suggests spreading everything out and sorting as follows:

- Pitch all the wrappers, tissues, and old papers.
- File receipts that you need for tax or warranty purposes and shred the rest.
- Pare down makeup to the essentials for quick touch ups. The same goes for other personal items.
- Cut back medications to a one day supply.
- Go through your wallet and remove all but the basic ID and a couple of credit cards. Reduce cash to a minimum and bank the balance. Select one checkbook, if you must carry one, and put the others away.
- Place loose photos in a photo box or album.
- Return excess supplies (stamps, envelopes, pens, etc.) to your home office.
- Put away all books and magazines.
- Send all clothing to the closet or wash.
- Bunch technology items together, i.e. your cell, PDA, etc.
- Gather all the goodies you've been carrying around to entertain your son/daughter and set them aside.

1citygirl's tips are similar:

Your money, credit and/or ATM cards, checkbook and your ID cards are among the most important things to keep in your purse. Keys and work badges are also okay to keep. Your sunglasses and reading glasses are also considered purse essentials. And don't forget the cell phone, PDA or your day planner. But cut down the cosmetics to two essential: your compact and lipstick.

Dr. Nicole Sundene, Why You Should Lighten Your Purse and Lose Your Wallet, notes that you should watch your keychain: "...lose all extra keys and keychains. I've seen keychains that likely weigh 5 pounds alone!"

Wallets: From Dr. Dr. Nicole Sundene: "Part of being healthy and feeling good is checking in on the ergonomics of our posture, and physical structure from time to time. If you are sitting crooked on a large wallet half the day driving around, and the other half sitting at work in the office, I am guessing you have some sort of chronic pain as the proper alignment of the hips are intrinsically important to the happiness of their neighboring joints."

Dr. Nicole suggests the following items go on a moneyclip to lose the wallet altogether:

- Two Pieces of picture ID.
- Several different variables of cash.
- Debit Card
- 1-2 Credit Cards. Pick your main card and simply carry a second for backup.
- A couple business cards. These are helpful also in case your money clip is lost.
- Club cards/gym cards/membership cards that are required for admittance.

She suggests getting rid of:

- Grocery store cards, store cards whenever the card will let you use your phone number.
- Receipts: Start a simple filing system at home right next to the shredder for immediate disposal of all receipts so they don't pile up in your wallet or money clip.
- Social security card or passport: If you have picture ID carrying these items is unnecessarily risky.
- Other people's business cards: When you get a business card, immediately enter the info in your phone and computer and then do the person a favour and pass it off to someone else that can use it.
- Anything else that you don't use daily or weekly.

Now that the weather's finally getting nice, I'm determined to lighten my load. Since we're well into 2010, my New Year's resolution is now my Spring resolution: Cut down on my purse clutter!