My Positively Necessary Purse Essentials

I have always been one of those people who has carried her "life" in her purse. My family and friends laugh whenever they see me lugging my huge purse or backpack and always ask me, "Did you remember to bring the kitchen sink?" I simply tell them that I like to be prepared for just about anything.

I have several particular items that I keep in my purse at all times. Being a preacher's wife and a mother of three children, I find these objects to be absolutely necessary for me to have on hand.

The first essential item is my cellphone. I have to be able to be contacted quickly as well as respond to calls in a timely fashion, so my cellphone helps to fulfill that need. Too, it seems that when I am parked somewhere in my car, my environment is somewhat calmer and less noisy, so I can actually think as I speak.

Next on my purse essentials list is my checkbook. I prefer to write a check for my purchases as opposed to carrying cash and credit cards, because I feel that if my checkbook is stolen, it is much easier to replace, and the thief can be more easily tracked and caught.

My third essential purse item is my cards bag. Within this bag, I carry my gift cards, business cards, grocery store shopping cards, and any other type of small card that can be carried. If I keep the cards on my person, then, I always know where they are.

Note cards, pens, and my address book are next on my list of purse necessities. I always try to carry a pack of cards and pens in my purse to have on hand in the event that I need to send a card to someone. My address book comes in handy, for I always have the addresses that I need with me. Too, I have found that I often have an easier time writing cards while riding with my family to some place rather than trying to pen them at home.

Since I have children and am somewhat of a naturalist, I keep natural products such as Young Living's peppermint oil and Thieves hand sanitizer in my purse. I have found that peppermint oil is a wonderful salve for cuts, scrapes, and the like as well as a great additive to put in water if your tummy is not feeling quite right. The Thieves hand purifier is the best waterless hand sanitizer that I have found, and my children, husband, and I use it every time that we leave a public place and before we eat if we are away from a place where we can wash our hands. For those who are interested in checking out either of these items, they are sold through www.youngliving.com.

I am not a big fan of a lot of makeup, but I do enjoy using Burt's Bees lip products. In my purse, you can always find a tube of Burt's Bees replenishing lip balm with pomegranate oil and one of the rhubarb lip shimmer as well.

Since I have several different pieces to my life, I carry a folder and a notebook in my purse. The folder contains all of the important papers with which I am to keep up, and I keep the notebook on hand to write down my thoughts and information for my writing assignments.

I always carry my bills or important mail in my purse. It seems that if I do not keep these in my purse, they either disappear, or I forget to pay them.

In addition to the previously mentioned purse essentials that I have mentioned, I also have four extra items that I carry when my two-year-old son who is potty training is accompanying me. These are a pull-up, a pack of baby wipes, a change of clothes for my son, and toddler friendly snacks. The reason for the inclusion of these four things goes without saying.

Finally, the last but certainly not the least item that I keep within my purse is my Bible. I like to read it whenever I am waiting on my family in the car or when a free moment allows for me to do so. I also have found it necessary to have on hand in the event that a biblical discussion should arise.