Ever wonder how all that stuff got into your purse? Somedays my purse feels really heavy- and no wonder- there will be 10 lbs of change at the bottom, mostly pennies (natch ). And what about the "stack of cards"?. You know- the gift cards that might have two dollars left on them- but you're not sure so you carry them around and then always forget to use them, the old cc you use to scrape your windshield in emergencies, your old blood donor card... why do we lug all this stuff around?

I always seem to have to paw through the stack of cards at the doctor's office, looking for my insurance card. And yesterday it dawned on me that if I no longer had that ridiculous stack and numerous other useless items in my purse, I wouldn't have the stress of finding the card. There would be fewer places for it to hide.

I am going to have to radically rethink what I absolutely need in my purse.

So- what do you consider to be the "bare essentials?"

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

I don't have a purse but I do carry a small backpack that serves as my diaper bag. My bag includes; diapers, wipes, changing pad, lollipops, small bottle of sunblock, sunblock face stick, hand sanitizer, wallet, phone, tampons, checkbook, pen, crayons and pepper spray.

I keep a large backpack in my vehicle that has extra clothes, snacks, diapers, coloring books, etc.

My secret to a thin wallet is to keep the extras in an old wallet in my sock drawer. I only have a debit card, insurance card, license and recent pictures of my children in my everyday wallet. I only have one bonus card for the grocery store. I think the extra club cards create too much clutter.

When I don't need the diaper bag, I only carry my wallet & phone. I keep my keys on a carabiner so I can clip them to a belt loop, diaper bag or whatever.

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One trick I have: use a smaller purse! The bigger the bag I carry, the more junk accumulates.

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I was standing in a check out lane recently and noticed a small tin box to hold gift cards.. It was 99 cents.. I bought it and filled it. I love that little thing. It took all those rarely used cards out of my wallet and when/if I'm in one of those stores I know to look in there..

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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

I do the same thing. My DH cannot give me things to "keep up with." I don't carry pictures because I've had too many ruined or lost.

This sounds like me! When my youngest son was born (4 mos ago) I went back to the traditional diaper bag thinking I'd have so much more to carry, but I really don't carry all that much more! I love the backpack though cause my boys like to carry it! I love being able to go places with them and let them carry their own diapers and wipes! That's pretty much all that's in mine - diapers, wipes & those little drawing pads with the attached pen that you erase by pulling the deal down the side! - I think I may have to go back to the back pack again! I was so nice!!!

For my purse it has quite a bit in it that I rarely use, but feel like I need on hand JUST IN CASE! Mini-scissors, nail file, etc! I think I might start leaving those in the car again and go back to putting my wallet in the diaper bag again! (i do that half the time anyway) Oh yeah - my calendar - VERY important - gotta find room for it!!!

As for my wallet! It's one from Target that holds my checks plus it has a photo flap with 3 photo spots attached that shows off my 3 boys! I keep any cards (insurance, club cards, etc) in the wallet but I've kept those to a bare minimum! I don't carry credit cards anymore and RARELY carry the debit card! It also has a large spot for cash & change so it's got it all!

Oh, I also do this!!

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Stay at home mom to my 3 boys... ages 5, 3 & 1!

I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13