Hardly Ever Used but I Need it all! What's in your bag? (What's In Your Bag?)

Member Name: foreveramber

Product:	What's In Your Bag?
Date:	13/03/09 (206 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bag is big enough for my essentials plus lots of shopping

Disadvantages: It all gets lost in there

I've debated whether or not I should contribute to this particular discussion category. I really can't see why anyone would find the contents of my bag as being useful to their lives, let alone very useful! Most likely it'd be voted as not helpful for their state of mind.

But as I'm at a loose end still awaiting the appearance of some of my suggestions on dooyoo, I thought I'd warm up my writing hand today by cataloguing the contents of my bag. It will also be a good chance for a thorough clean out.

First things first. I'm not someone who can leave the house clutching one of those tiny handbag things. How do women function with those. My hair brush alone is the size of some women's bags.

When you're a parent and the kids are still small, you tend to fill your bag with an enormous amount of paraphernalia, just in case, but as they grow and become more independent, your bag becomes lighter as you shed the unnecessary contents such as spare nappies, baby wipes, drink cups, emergency snacks etc. This is probably why I use such a large bag although I probably don't need this size any longer.

Currently the bag I'm using is one of those 'climate neutral', organic, straw type bags from Sainsburys. They encourage you to buy one of these to pack your shopping in, but I find it sits really comfortably on my shoulder as well as holding loads of stuff. The only trouble is there are no individual pockets, so everything is thrown in together. This particular bag is slightly smaller than my previous one which kept bumping into people wherever I walked. This one measures 15" wide by 13" tall, not including the handles so it's still a decent size.

Onto the contents:

PURSE: Undoubtedly the most importance piece of cargo in my bag. I never carry much in the way of cash, cards are so much easier to use. Besides coins and cards, my purse also holds precious photos of my husband and children as well as an enormous amount of money off coupons and vouchers.

REUSABLE CARRIER BAGS: I never go anywhere without these even though I really wouldn't ever need to use them. Practically every shop I ever go in, the checkout staff immediately reach for a plastic carrier bag. As soon as they do, I grab one of mine and wave it at them shouting "stop, I've got my own."

DEMARARA SUGAR PACKETS: The amount of these varies from week to week depending on whether I've remembered to take them out of my bag or whether they've become lost amongst the junk in my bag. These sugar packets usually bear the name Starbucks or Pret a Manger. This is because whenever I'm buying a coffee, I feel compelled to grab a handful of sugars which my husband takes in his coffee at home. You see, I always come armed with my own sweeteners to use, so, somehow feel that I am entitled to take some sugars when I buy a coffee because I'm bringing my own. My husband doesn't particularly endorse this practice, I must add.

ORBIT SUGAR FREE CHEWING GUM X 9: I buy them in 3-packs and am chewing on them constantly every day. Practically every time I enter a newsagents, I stock up on these.

LOTTERY TICKET RECEIPT: This has been floating around in my bag for months. I actually won £10 on the lottery once and when I claimed my £10, I was issued with a receipt which I chucked into the bottomless pit of my bag.

FOIL SEALED WIPE FROM WAGAMAMA: Again, this has been in my bag for quite some time. When dining out at Wagamama, you are given these foil sealed wipes to wash your hands with. However, I find it very useful knowing that I have one in my bag ready for that day when one of my kids or possibly even myself, have a need for an emergency clean up one day.

PLASTIC SPOONS X 3: I always grab a couple of these when I come out of Marks & Spencer. I think I'll need one if I happen to buy a yogurt or fruit salad or something and have nothing to eat it with. This hardly ever happens though and I end up throwing them away in the end (the spoons not the yogurts!).

INSTANT HAND SANITISER: Goodness, I forgot I even had this in here. I bought this as I'm quite obsessive about picking up germs when I'm out and about. However, lately I've been wearing my gloves most of the time as it's been so cold and I feel my hands are protected from germs. Perhaps I should write a review on this stuff.

PAPER NAPKINS: A squillion of these. Again, most of them are from Starbucks. This is because I always buy a 'short' coffee which is too small to fit inside their cardboard holder things. So I always stuff the spare space between the cup and the holder to stop it spilling. Then, when I've finished, I just drop them into my bag - for emergencies of course.

HAIRBRUSH: I rarely use this when I'm out, but I just need to know it's there, just in case.

SPLENDA SWEETENERS: I can't leave the house without these. I never know if I'll end up somewhere that requires drinking tea or coffee and if there are no sweeteners around, then no drink for me.

DENTIST APPOINTMENT CARD: For a long ago dental appointment. I think I keep it in my bag just in case I need the number or something. Then again, I've got the number on my mobile, so that's going in the bin.

NOTEBOOK AND PEN: Despite being small, it's quite heavy. I carry this around with me just in case I have a brainwave idea while I'm out or if I come across some exciting story or something. I've never used it.

ANCIENT PACK OF TISSUES. Nothing to elaborate on here.

Everything else goes into my coat of jacket pocket such as mobile phone, keys, ipod etc.

Well, that's it. I hope I haven't bored you too much. But now, my bag has considerably less junk inside now which can only be good.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: Can't leave home without it