ClutterBlog

Most women have this problem. You can never find anything in your purse. From credit cards, to keys, to everything. There are a few things out there that you can use to correct this problem.

My personal favorite is the promotion cards that come equipped with a hole in one corner so that you can just attach them to your keychain and you just grab your keys when you need to swipe a Kroger card, Blockbuster card; you name it. I try to keep mine all next to one another on the keychain so I just flip through my cards instead of a mess of keys. Unfortunately, not all places have caught on to this keychain idea. Another good solution in these instances is either a simple business card holder, debit/credit card holder devoted to rewards cards, or one of these neat offerings from Real Simple. [Card Wheel, pictured right] The clear plastic lets the cashier scan the bar code on the card without even having to remove it from the case! This organizer would also let you keep other cards that you use regularly, such as prepaid phone cards, business cards or appointment cards so that when you need them, you know where to find them quickly. The card wheels also come in a few different colors and can be found at Target.

If you are already using the keychain idea, you may have found that you another problem. You can’t find your keys! I know I’ve spent lots of time rifling through my purse to find them. There are several solutions. I use a very large keytag. It is one of those punch-card-esqe keyfobs that you acquire at many scrapbooking stores. They are big, white, and plastic, and very easy to spot in a dark bag. If your keychain is missing one and you do not wish to acquire one, there are other ideas. First, you can get a smaller purse or handbag. It’s easier to find things in a smaller space. If this is not possible, you can delegate a certain pocket (preferably on the outside of the bag) to dispense your keys as long as you will stick to it. If none of these work for you, you can try a purse key finder. It hooks over the side of your bag (the part showing usually has a very nice design) and then your keys are dangling from it on the inside. Of course, this works best with purses that don’t have zipper closures, but even then you could most likely work around it. The key finder [Finders Key Purse,* Red Dress model, pictured left] just clips on to your keys (so you don’t lose that either!) and you just “hang it up” when you are on your way out. These are also available through Amazon.com and I’ve seen them in tea rooms and other novelty stores.

Another handy way to minimize things in your purse is to use this free web service: http://www.justoneclubcard.com/. You input the barcodes of the cards that you use most often, up to 8 per card, and you will be able to print out a card with all your barcodes on them.

Perhaps the most obvious way to combat purse clutter is to go through it at least once a week, removing receipts and superfluous things from it. Make a point to only keep what is absolutely necessary to your life in that purse. When I was working at a retail store, I often found that I needed more than what my “shopping” handbag could hold. I purchased a larger bag but I would switch it out when I went to work or when I was going out, leaving duplicates of some things (mints, chapstick) in both bags at all times, and the items necessary to each activity in its respective bag. You could also adjust this for other activities such as working out, that way you don’t have to risk forgetting something. Of course, I only have one wallet but I made sure that it carried everything that I would need and only switched it from bag to bag, instead of piles of other things that I like to carry with me.

Finally, the last tip for keeping an organized purse is to use the storage space that is given! I’m very guilty of this myself, since I have several pockets in my purses that I don’t even use! Receipts should go in one pocket, chapstick, mints, gum, or dental floss in another. Try to organize in a way that makes sense to you. If keeping your Starbucks card and your dental floss together makes sense to you, then don’t try to work against that. You’ll only frustrate yourself when you hunt for your Starbucks card (again) and can’t find it! If you prefer to keep your receipts next to their perspective debti/credit cards or gift cards, work with that - although you might run out of pockets!

Purses for women can be a great convenience, but if you let the black hole syndrome overtake you, you can find yourself very inconvenienced instead.

*I have not personally purchased anything through lynnsuniqueqifts.com.While the site looks legitimate, please exercise caution when purchasing items online.