Bags, purses, etc.

[Gardenarian]

It's funny that when I was driving all the time, I always carried a pretty large bag.
Now that I'm in a walkable city, I've whittled what I carry around to one little bag that has a built-in wallet - this bag (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XKS016/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), in fact. (Though I got a deal on mine.)
It holds my cards, cash, keys, and a small container of sunblock, and I keep a thin nylon shopping bag inside just in case.
On work days, I put my bag into a larger tote bag that will hold my books, folders, and lunch for the 1/2 mile walk to work.

The only thing it doesn't have space for is a water bottle (well, maybe a small one.) I've been okay so far, but when it gets hot I might switch to a waist pack that has a bottle holder. I haven't seen one I like yet.

I feel like I've been on a life-long search for the perfect bag, and this is it - so tiny, but it works! And I don't feel like a camel humping around a giant bag all the time.
Now I just have to get rid of all of those "almost right" bags :)

[mschrisgo2]

Oooh, I went through mine, ruthlessly. Never mind that I paid good money for some of them- 11 went to the Animal Rescue Thrift Shop today. Now I have room on the shelf to sit the purses and tote bags that I actually use, and they won't be "clutter" in the living room any more. And I moved all the re-useable (grocery) shopping bags to my car, yay!

[rosarugosa]

Nice bag Gardenarian! I am a two hump camel with a massive shoulder bag and a tote bag for work. When I am carrying my laptop, I am carrying almost 25% of my body weight (I am small).
A couple of years ago, I did come up with a "satellite bag" concept that I use on day trips and vacation. The mothership bag stays in the car, and the satellite bag holds my wallet and a couple of other essentials, but it's much easier on my shoulders when I'm walking around for awhile.
I realize there is nothing particularly simple about this, but it has been a good solution for me.

PS: Satellite bag was a great score from the Salvation Army, so perhaps a frugal point for that. :)

[Zoe Girl]

great idea rosa,

i have a smaller purse and it is perfect! okay until i had this horrible cold/allergies and need to carry so many kleenex. i even have room for a small notebook which i absolutely need.

[lessisbest]

I carry a purse just a little larger than a wallet. One with a long strap that I can wear across my body so I have 2 hands free. When we travel I have a small back-pack style purse that the everyday purse fits in. I carry a small "emergency" kit in my back-pack. Ask any chiropractor how much of their business stems from women carrying large handbags.....

[larknm]

I always wear pants with pockets, and carry my driver's license and the few other cards I might need in a rubber band. Any dollars I carry I wrap in there too. Lip balm tube in there and that's it because house, car keys, DNR thing and dog whistle on cotton lanyard around my neck. That's it unless I'm getting groceries when I carry a basket for those.