Purse Purge and Backpack Attack

ORGANIZATION, June 2010, by Jenny McKee


Purse Purge
& Backpack Attack

When was the last time you emptied out your purse or backpack? I mean REALLY cleaned it out?



Quite often they get jammed with extra papers, wrappers, hair clips, makeup and little trinkets – making them heavier to carry and harder to find things you really need. Here are a few tips to cleaning them out and make finding your keys, phone and things you need a little easier – and lighter!

DUMP IT
Tip it upside down, shake it and get it all out! Check all the pockets and zipped up compartments for lost and hidden treasures. This is a great time to throw it into the wash if you can, or at least wipe it down on the inside and out with soapy water. Can you imagine all the germs and dirt that accumulates on your bag… dumped at the front door, with your shoes, restaurant floors…. Cleaning is a good idea periodically to keep them fresher and lasting longer.

SORT IT
What are the items you MUST have? What do you use regularly? What is most important to keep with you? Put them into a pile. What is garbage? Used Kleenexes, candy wrappers, old receipts and junk can go into the trash. What needs a new home? How many items are in there that really belong in your room? The bathroom? Your locker? Put them back where they belong!

WALLET
Don’t forget to clean this out as well. Any old receipts, shopping lists etc. can go. Look through all your cards and sort them by type – banking/money, gift cards, club/discount/point cards and your ID/Health/Student cards. Sort them into different sections of your wallet, the ones you use the most should be the most accessible and handy. Your cash, try to keep sorted as well – 20’s, 10’s, 5’s. Easier to know how much you have at a glance. A trick I like to do is to fold up a $20 and hide it in a part of your wallet you don’t see often. Tuck it away for emergencies or a rainy day. You’ll be happy it’s there if you have to take a cab or can’t use debit somewhere.

PUT IT BACK
Now that you’ve sorted out what can stay and what can go – time to pack it back in. If your backpack or purse has different compartments take advantage of them. Put like things together. Have sanitary items or personal things you don’t want accidentally spilling out of your bag? Get a small makeup pouch from the dollar store to keep these things together and private. Make sure you are prepared by stocking these items regularly, nothing worse than not having it when you need it!

KEEP IT UP
Only keep what you really need. Why lug it around if it’s not necessary? Have your most used items close and handy. Designated key, wallet and cell phone spots are the most important. Get into the habit of putting them back in the same spot each time and you’ll find you will spend less time searching in the bottom of your bag for these important items. Another important habit to keeping things from piling up… as soon as you get home from school – empty out the books, lunch bags and notes from that day. If you do it regularly, the mess won’t pile up and you’ll save yourself time and energy in the long run!

Have fun!

~ Jenny

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