Have you ever found yourself shuffling through the contents of your Louis Vuitton canvas bucket bag for your keys, your cell phone or an abandoned stick of gum while cursing yourself for having so much unneeded junk? Give your shoulder a break by narrowing down the essentials that all professional women should carry on a daily basis:
1) Smart phone with camera: A fully charged cell phone ensures that in an emergency you can do what’s most important: Google. But seriously, today’s smart phones are able to keep your budget, schedule and e-mail at a finger’s length. Cameras can help when taking pics at the scene of a car accident or even to take a picture of a document when a scanner or copier isn’t available. Most carriers provide basic smart phones at an affordable price.
Quick tip: Memorize important numbers. Don’t just rely on “Call (insert name)” and never underestimate an old-fashioned paper planner and pen as a back up in case you ever have to experience the dreaded lost-or-broken-phone-anxiety.
2) Compact Wallet: Your wallet should carry your ID, your bank card, health insurance and credit cards. It’s also useful to keep a copy of your vehicle insurance card and registration. This way you’ll always have these items with you and accessible so you can avoid shuffling through your glove compartment if you’re ever pulled over or having to have things faxed in case your vehicle is towed or impounded.
Quick tip: Keep retail chain credit cards at home in a safe place to avoid impulse purchases. Carry them with you only when you know you are going to that store to shop. Carry “reward’ cards only to places you visit frequently and keep them on a key chain if possible.
3) An emergency credit card: Those pretty pieces of plastic weren’t just meant for sales at Saks. Keep at least one card balance-free for car repairs or life’s other little emergencies.
Quick tip: Try to keep your emergency credit card to a Visa or MasterCard. Most retail chains and other services accept these types of cards, whereas not all of them accept Discover or American Express.
4) Cash: Obvious, right? But in a debit or credit kind of world, many of us bypass a trip to the ATM with the assumption that all vendors accept plastic, but that isn’t always the case. Cash comes in handy for tipping, tolls and store computer crashes. Keep at least $40.00 on you at all times.
Quick tip: Keep small amounts of cash/change in your car for meters and parking.
5) Miniature Swiss army knife: These multi-taskers usually include a small blade, nail file, scissors, mini flat and Phillips head screwdrivers and sometimes a bottle opener or corkscrew: all items you can use in a crunch for defense or a wine emergency.
Quick tip: If defense is a priority for you, pepper spray key chains can be found for a relatively low price. Keep this or similar items on hand if you have a lonely long walk to your car at night. Check your state laws to learn what is legal to carry.
6) Mini flash light, matches or lighter: A disabled vehicle, power outage or natural disasters are just a few of the situations where these items can make the most difference. Mini flashlights can often be found at an auto parts store.
Quick tip: A mini flash light can help you navigate the depths of your tote when you can’t find your keys.
7) Hand sanitizer: Sweaty palms, keyboards, and keypads on phones ATM’s and self-checkouts are all places where we pick up germs on a daily basis. Nothing compares to a good old soap and water scrubbing, but a small bottle of anti-bacterial gel can temporarily keep cold and flu germs at bay.
Quick tip: During winter weather, keep your hands from your face as much as possible. Also, the alcohol contained in sanitizers can often dry out your skin, so keep a small bottle of lotion handy as well.
8) Makeup case: While some of us keep enough makeup within reach to do a full Nars tutorial, others are makeup minimalists. No matter which group you identify with, a compact mirror, lip gloss and mascara can take you from a board meeting to conducting business over cocktails.
Quick tip: For those who crave a bit more enhancement seek products that multi-task, such as moisturizing foundation to help free up space.
9) Feminine hygiene products: Your body can be unpredictable, so it helps to be prepared. Keep a few tampons or maxi pads on hand for female co-workers as well.
Quick tip: Sites like ShopLucys.com carry cute tampon holders with funny expressions like, “PMS doesn’t bother me, you bother me.”
10) Aspirin: Small travel packs of Tylenol or Midol can relieve the pressure of an impending migraine or menstrual cramps so you don’t have to end your work day early. Take with water and a small meal to avoid stomach irritation.
Quick tip: When taken immediately, aspirin can reduce the damage done by a heart attack. The sooner it is taken during the suspected attack, the more effective it is. 325 mg is most effective and it must be chewed, not swallowed.
11) Candy, mints or gum: When the winter plagues your office with scratchy throats and contagious coughs, a cough drop or peppermint may save the day. Actually, sucking on plain candy like a Lifesaver increases your saliva production, lubricates your throat and breaks up your congestion which all help to suppress irritation.
Quick tip: Peppermints can also help freshen breath after a savory lunch. A disposable toothbrush such as Colgate Wisp is also an option for those who desire a more intense cleansing after meals.
12) Business Cards: Carry a few business cards in a small holder. You never know who you might meet running daily errands and business cards save you the time and energy of exchanging contact info through cell phones or your traditional pen and paper.
Quick tip: When receiving a variety of business cards use your cell phone to take pictures or enter the info into your phone to avoid shuffling through a bulky Rolodex.
13) Stain Remover: We all have those days when we return from lunch only to find that our collared shirt is covered in evidence of the fight between you and the marinara sauce (and by the looks of it, the sauce won). Handy products like stain remover pens can help clear up small accidents so you don’t show up to your afternoon team meeting looking a mess.
Quick tip: It’s a great idea to keep a change of clothes handy in your office (if you have the space) or the trunk of your car. Keep an extra coat or jacket as well.
14) Condoms:All work and no play is unrealistic and unhealthy. Exercise your independence and take control of your sexual health by always being prepared. When faced with the awkward, “Do you have a condom” convo, let your hands do the talking. Keep in mind, there’s a big bright world of birth control to explore including female condoms and dental dams that can be obtained for FREE at many family planning agencies.
Quick tip: Avoid keeping condoms at extreme temperatures or in places like your car or wallet. Keep them at room temperature to avoid breakage.
