Lists of Necessities

Since I'm a very forgetful person, I have a very hard time remembering to bring things places with me. I am also a very lazy person, so I don't change purses as much as I should. I just don't like having to decide what I do and don't need to transfer. AND since I'm in the Air Force, I HAVE to carry a PLAIN, SOLID black or brown purse with me (no decorations, no embellishments, no NOTHING). Since that purse is so big and ugly, I don't mind it when it gets all messy, but I don't like digging through it. I also hate leaving my house and realizing I forgot something.

This started out just being for me. I was going to send myself a list of things I needed and go shopping for whatever I didn't have already. Then I thought … if I can't find these lists in one, easy to find place, I bet there are other people out there looking for the same thing! Then I figured you would all love it if I posted my list, so here we are. These are things I use all the time. If you have other things you would like to add, please go ahead and comment. These are lists of what I believe are necessities, but they can be tailored how you see fit. I just thought I would give you a guideline.

~~~~~

The first is very simple. It's what you need to keep in your purse at all times. Most of this stuff does come in small sizes (Try the Miss A Kit from WishingFish.com - which is one of my favorite sites by the way. It has a lot of this in it!) Trust me … it might look like a lot, but it's really not.

1. Keys (Of course!)
2. Cell phone (another necessity)
3. Wallet (with money, credit/debit cards, ID's…)
4. Mints/gum (either will do. Just make sure you have them.)
5. A pen (SERIOUSLY … How many times have I been asked "Do you have a pen I can borrow?" and never had one on me? Way too many to count.)
6. Makeup bag (with at LEAST a mirror, powder, blush, mascara and some kind of lip stuff)
7. Hairbrush, hair defrizzer (travel size, of course) and some kind of ponytail holders (preferably that match your hair color. Bright blue or pink won't give you a polished look unless you have bright blue or pink hair. … Then you can have as many bright blue or pink ponytail holders as you would like.)
8. Nail file (A MUST! You don't know HOW MANY TIMES I've broken a nail and not had something to smooth the rough edges, so I ended up biting my nail off just because I didn't want it to catch anything … then that turns into a whole new problem…)
9. Band-Aids (We all know what those are for)
10. Safety pins (Just incase! They can hold ANYTHING together for a short period of time. Have you ever been in a random place and had someone ask if you had a safety pin they could borrow? I have. Several times.)
11. Anti-bacterial wipes and something to take stains away (I don't know if I should put these on the same number… but they both keep you clean. And can be used for a VARIETY of reasons)
12. Tampons/pads… whatever you use. Always keep a supply.
13. Blotting paper. I don't care what brand you use. Just as long as it'll take the grease away.
14. A little thing of perfume or body spray (they sell the sample sizes … those are perfect for forgetful people.)
15. Toothpicks or dental floss (Just incase)
16. A travel size bottle of lotion (If you use the hand sanitizer or soap in public restrooms, it can dry out your hands. Always keep a small bottle of lotion on hand.)
17. A little sewing kit (My mom bought me one for Christmas last year. It's about the size of a little compact and has the necessities - just incase!)
18. You might also want to keep a little pack of pills (Tylenol, Advil… something to make headaches go away. Just don't OD.)
19. Super glue (for a quick fix for anything … I don't get broken heels that often, but last time I did, I cursed myself for not having super glue on me!)
20. If you're active, condoms. (Seriously. Very much needed. You all know why. … Just make sure to keep them hidden. You don't want those falling out all over the place. They do sell cute little boxes for them, as well as your tampons.)

IF you have a TINY purse or you are going out and don't want to carry a purse, the MAIN essentials are:

1. Car key (I keep the rest of my keys hidden in my car. I don't know if this is a good idea, but as long as you can get INto your car, you're good. BUT I have like a gazillion keys on my keychain. I can't fit them all in my pocket.)
2. ID, money, and credit/debit cards - MAKE SURE YOU TAKE ALL YOUR MONEY. Keep it on you at all times.
3. Cell phone (Of course)
4. If you can fit it, lip gloss. At least.

~~~~~

Next is a list of things you should keep in your car. Most of these things can be kept hidden in your trunk. Just make sure you have them on you. This list is not as thought out as the purse one was, so if you can think of anything else, I'll totally add it!

1. Registration and insurance (for obvious reasons)
2. Extra change (mainly quarters. Maybe a couple dimes and nickels, too)
3. Extra straws and napkins (Don't you hate it when they forget to put those in when you get fast food?)
4. A little trash can or something to put trash in (That way you don't have to throw it in your car)
5. My mom used to keep little packets of crackers in the glove compartment for me just incase I got hungry. They came in handy when she didn't want to stop. Keep a little food in your car - just incase. … But please, PLEASE … no chocolate!
6. Sunglasses (I don't really like sunglasses because of the marks they give you, but sometimes, you just really need them.)
7. A first aid kit (always good to have around)
8. Towels (For several reasons. If someone riding with you gets car sick, if you need to give a ride to your drunk friend, if someone eats in your car…)
9. Spare tire (Seems simple, but some people don't have one.) … and while you're at it, everything you need to fix a flat tire. (There is a list at the bottom of that page that says what you need.)
10. A flashlight
11. Bottled water (Just incase. If you have a nifty little cooler between the seats like my mom does, you can keep it cold in there. If not, just keep it in the trunk or something.)
12. It might sound weird, but a copy of The Modern Girl's Guide to Life by Jane Buckingham or something like it. It tells you everything you need to know about car troubles you might have.
13. Maps or an atlas
14. Blankets
15. Jumper cables (Trust me, you need them. If you don't know how to work them, call a friend or learn now. It will help you in those situations when it's 4 in the morning and it's just you and your equally girly best friend trying to figure out what these things are supposed to attach to. Not that I've had experience with that or anything. … Thank GOD for random guys who stay up until 4 AM just waiting for 2 hot girls to call and ask for help on how to jump start a car… haha Totally kidding. I don't think he stayed up for us.)
16. A little tool kit
17. Tissues
18. An umbrella (I'm bringing up my mom again… she used to keep one under each seat. If there is more than one person in the car, it's easier for everyone to have their own.)
19. Another thing my mom bought me is a little kit that has everything you need incase you get into an accident. It has things like a pen and paper (to write your information down with), a flashlight, a little disposable camera, and other things that might help if you get into an accident. One of those kits are very good to have.
20. Batteries

During different seasons, you should keep different things in your car. Here's my lists:

WINTER ~ Salt … and not the kind you put on your food. Road salt. To melt ice.
Snow shovel
Ice scraper
Hat, scarf, gloves … Just incase you forget.
Make SURE those blankets are in your car!

SUMMER ~ Keep a beach bag handy. Make sure you have the following:
Sunscreen (Always important)
A beach towel
A swimsuit
A book/magazine
A disposable camera (Don't keep a digital camera in your car…)

You should also keep 2 bags in your car. A random bag and a gym bag. Here is what you should keep IN those bags.

The random bag (pack this as if you were going sleep over at a friend's house. Remember that? When you were little? Or maybe you still do it now. Either way, that's how you pack it.):

1. A complete change of clothes (incase something happens … What if you spill something? What if you're at work and everyone decides to go to the bar next door and you don't have time to go home and change? ~ yes, this has happened to me.) … I just keep it simple. Jeans and a cute t-shirt with a couple cute accessories… Just don't forget the undergarments!
2. A pair of white or black shoes (or both. … What happens if your heel breaks? … Make sure the shoes go with most of your wardrobe. That's why I say white or black.)
3. Dr. Scholl's inserts (Or whatever brand you want. … You just want to keep them on hand JUST INCASE your shoes get a little TOO uncomfortable.)
4. Hair smoothing product
5. An extra toothbrush and toothpaste (You never know)
6. A hoodie or jacket

The gym bag:

1. Gym clothes (tank tops, t-shirts pants, shorts…)
2. Tennis shoes
3. A sports bra
4. Extra underwear
5. Deodorant (BE CAREFUL WITH THIS. … It will melt when it's hot outside. Keep it somewhere cool or make sure it's liquid or gel.)
6. Everything you need to take a shower (body wash, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, a towel) … unless you plan on spending way too much time in the shower at the gym, I wouldn't take shaving stuff.
7. Body spray
8. Anything you usually use to do your hair or makeup. BUT make sure there are no aerosol cans. If you keep them in a hot car, they can explode. Also don't keep too much makeup in the bag. It can also melt in hot weather. (unless, of course, you have one of these)
9. An MP3 player/iPod (If you're like me and listen to your iPod on the road, that's fine. Just make sure you keep headphones in your gym bag. Because an iPod is pretty useless without a way to listen to it.)