Hefty Handbags

Is your purse ready for an episode of “Let’s Make a Deal”? weighted down with expired coupons, gift cards with 96 cents left on it, old receipts, change, toys or USED Kleenex?

A purse is like miniature home. You can tell a lot about a woman by her purse! Some women can reach in and grab what they need and others are rooting around… pulling out stuff and piling it in their lap and muttering "I am sure it is in here somewhere…"

Take a load off of your shoulders and purge that mini-home!

1) Empty the entire purse out

2) Sort receipts and papers
As you remove receipts form your purse, toss the one’s you no longer need, and place the rest in to a monthly accordion wallet so you can easily retrieve and purge your receipts monthly or quarterly, and keep your purse clean. For receipts you need handy in your purse, use a small zippered mesh pouch - about the size of a check book. If you must carry papers, lists or bills to pay, clip them together.

3) Collect loose change
Keep a small amount in change purse, and remove the rest. If your wallet does not have a change pocket, invest in a change purse. It makes it so much easier to find change, and to empty it out of your purse.

4) Cancel or shred expired credit cards, loyalty cards, gift cards etc.
Keep only the cards that you most frequently need in your purse. The less you have in there the less hassle if your purse is stolen.

Zone your purse into the areas:

1) Money, credit, & debit cards
Overwhelmed with cards? Check out Cardcubby.com as a way to
organize and quickly file and retrieve store credit cards, loyalty/reward cards, gift cards and frequently needed business cards. Free up your purse, and keep it handy when you are headed out or keep this in your purse to free up your wallet!

2) Make up, lotion, hygiene items
Keep in zippered pouch in your purse, or in a make-up bag to keep items from breaking/opening and to keep personal hygiene items out of sight.

3) First Aid
Keep medication, first aid, Kleenex or wipes in a separate area/bag.

4) Communication
Cell Phone, planner, note pad or address book and pen
Keep together. Keep phone on a phone clip or in a purse pocket.

5) Gum, Mints etc.
Keep these items in a case or pouch or even a snack size ziplock to
keep them from spilling out and becoming loose at the bottom of your
purse! Trident is the worst isn’t it?

Tips:

** When possible choose a purse with compartments to help create zones and keep things tidy or check out Pursket.com for purse organizers that you can switch from purse to purse.

** Use a key holder/clip to hang keys inside your purse to avoid rummaging around for them.

** Once a month purge your purse of papers, lists, and receipts

** Every 3-6 months clean your purse and wallet entirely.

** Once a year evaluate the condition of your purse and wallet. Donate any purses you are not using, do not love, or are not working for you!

** Purge purses that have torn liners or broken snap closures or zippers

Did you know?

International survey statistics show that about 60% of women have more than 10 handbags, and over 3% of women have as many as 25 purses!

** When storing purses by hanging them by their straps, be sure they're mostly empty. Extra weight just adds more wear and tear to the strap. Keeping them clean inside will also eliminate searching for important items like your credit card or your favorite lipstick.

** Note that catch-all bins, boxes and trunks are NOT good places to store purses. It is ideal to organize your purses in a way and place that you can see them all at a glance. I like this organizer. It takes up minimal space in the closet, and you can see all your purses.