May242010
I don’t carry a purse anymore!
image by topgold
Just in case any of my readers have had the sneaking suspicion that TheSurvivalMom is a complete nerd, I am about to remove any possible doubt.
About four months ago I decided I had had enough of carrying a purse everywhere. For years, I have been a lover of beautiful, expensive purses and have a very nice collection, but I had become weary of lugging around something very near the size and weight of a carry-on suitcase. No matter how hard I tried to keep my purses organized, I was always digging around in the deepest corners to locate what I needed, and oddly, the majority of my purses have black interiors, making it even more difficult to find what I was looking for.
So, after toting a purse on my shoulder for more than three decades, I gave up the habit cold turkey. Now I sport an odd-looking neck pouch which holds my cell phone, a lipgloss or lipstick (depending on my mood), a Starbucks card (yeah, I still haven’t given up my green tea habit), and a small collection of debit cards, my driver’s license, a library card, and my health insurance ID, bound together by, get this, a rubber band.
That’s right. Go ahead and laugh. At some point in the future, you, too, will have something in your purse with a rubber band around it. And you’ll love it and brag to all the other old ladies at the Senior Citizens rec center about your clever idea!
So, I am now completely hands free. I shove my car keys in my pocket, and I’m free as a bird, a nerdy bird with a neck pouch. I now understand why so few guys have gone the man-purse route. It’s a great feeling. Every once in a while I feel like a pack mule, especially when I am trying to carry way too many things in the pouch, but the important thing is that I don’t have a 15 pound purse on my shoulder. My neck pouch is a slenderizing and elegant shade of classic black, and I think it goes with everything.
The next time you’re standing in line at a Starbucks and see an attractive woman with a neck pouch and no purse, that might be me, or possibly one of my incredibly smart readers who recognizes a hot new trend when she sees one!
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(36) Readers Comments
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Stacy
I admire a woman who can let go of her baggage! I am one who can't seem to go there. I have tired hands free like you or the small cute bag, even did the wallet on a string…but to no avail I end up right back with my big bag. The bag I currently carry is my own creation and I have been carrying it almost a year. I finally have the perfect purse, but I had to design it…funny how that worked out!
TheSurvivalMom
Well, now, I'm not claiming that I don't have any baggage. I just don't carry around a purse. LOL That's great that you designed just the type of purse that works best for you!
Ravenwolf31
I never really liked carrying a purse. I either wear everything I need on my belt attached to me, or I use a backpack. If I use a backpack, it means I would be gone longer than 4 hours, which usually means I have gone shopping, since I do not like using plastic bags.
TheSurvivalMom
Raven, I'm not at all surprised to hear that you don't carry around a purse. You strike me as an independent thinker and no slave to fashion or trends! Good for you!
Veronica
I've been lurking for a bit and loving your blog! Not a mom, but a twenty something that likes the way you word all of this stuff. (Your blog made me look up into my cabinets in the kitchen and realize how EMPTY it is! If I lost all my money tomorrow, I would be in serious trouble if not for some supportive family!)
I'm one of those people who doesn't carry a real purse. If I'm going out in my car, it's one of the gift card holders from Starbucks last year at Christmas that has my license, health insurance card, blood donor card, and occasionally my debit card. How ever, I do have a 'purse' for when I'm on my bike: My handle bar bag that keeps my keys, first aid kit, reflective space blanket, bike tools, and wallet! And being the lazy beast I am, I've started to carry that with me so I didn't have to take my wallet out of it.
Speaking of first aid kits, I bought one of those smallish hard wallets from Five Below the other day and packed some first aid supplies into it for aforementioned bike bag. I'm planning to go back and get more to make a few more to have in the car and in my travel bag! God knows I bang myself up enough.
TheSurvivalMom
Welcome, Veronica! This is an equal opportunity blog! In fact, I have many readers who are guys. A lot of them are frequent commenters and even subscribe to my newsletter! You are more than welcome to hang out here. Motherhood is not a prerequisite!
Dez
Welcome to the world of Purse Freedom…lol
I have been free for about 7 years now. I have a cell phone holder that fits on a waistband and is the exact size of my "cards." I put them and the phone on my belt and that is all I carry. I love it! If I need more while I am out, the car becomes the purse. I invite all women to burn the purse and become free…like burning bras in the 60's, but much more modest. =D
TheSurvivalMom
Well, I don't think I could ever join in on a bra burning trend, but I have to say I love not lugging around a heavy purse, or any purse for that matter. It sounds like you have your own system for enjoying a purse-free life!
Ravenwolf31
I do have to admit, I have a bag that is a mixture of a backpack and purse. I can be held in one hand, and over one or both shoulders. Still I do not use that much. But you are right, I never been much for fashion. Somehow I am glad for that.
Tricia
I am going to need a picture of this neck pouch. Because right now, all I can imagine is the flappy skin on my neck. .lol.
TheSurvivalMom
LOL Did you click on the Amazon link in the blog post? The one I use I actually got at a conference a year or two ago, but I should probably go ahead and get a more "professional" looking one, if there is such a thing!
LizLong
Try a camera case for a really small camera. I have one the perfect size for an iPhone for times I don't have pockets. They come in all kinds of nifty styles, even little faux purses designed to hold a camera. You might find something good in the camera aisle.
Barbara
What I carry depends on where I'm going, and what I'm wearing. For traveling I carry a large purse because everyone has something they want me to carry. Husbands sunglasses, son's pills, daughter's lip gloss, etc. (Years ago I learned to bleat like a pack Llama, but it did not good.) For fancy dress-up I carry a tiny glittery purse. For general shopping and errands, I have an un-fashionable fanny pack made to hold my pistol. (Maybe I should put some sequins on it.) For all day long outings I have a backpack my kids tell me is silly- bright green with huge pink flower print. I'd go purse-less but someone always needs a tissue, a Tylenol, a breath mint, nail clippers, something, and I, after all, am The Mom.
Terry
I love that pink purse in the picture, it would be hard to give up something that cute!
TheSurvivalMom
I know! That was my exact thought. "I want it!!" It looks heavy, but pink is my favorite color. Maybe I should find a pink neck pouch! LOL
BabyPrepper
LOL! Love it! I have been carrying a fanny pack around for about 6 months and my friends and family make fun of me. I don't care. It doesn't weigh anything and all of my essentials plus a few extras fit into it perfectly -money, check card, drivers license, health ins., cell phone,keys, asthma inhaler, gum, pen, checkbook, ibuprofen, and even my Cannon Powershot camera. The bigger the purse, the more crap you carry. Mine is just right.
L P
I started waring cargo pants without the usual baggy-bags on the sides when my "kit" began to outgrow my pockets. I keep pretty much anything a guy needs in those pockets, and it really doesn't look too bad! Yes, we guys like to have our hands free. My daughter has a purse-pack, for lack of a better name. I'm sure you know what it's called. This thing is a small purse that sits on her back and has 4 straps. Looks nice, can't be taken from her, and leaves her deadly hands free to keep the world in line, LOL!
Viscount
Kudos!
Dagny T
Bravo! I gave up big purses for casual use a decade ago after being assaulted in an attempted purse-snatching (peril of life in DC). Now I only use a purse for business lunches when I need a more formal way to carry stuff. For casual use, I use a leather neck pouch with simple adjustable cord that I can slip one arm through and wear under a jacket (concealment is safer) as a mini-purse. It carries credit-debit cards & drivers license as well as an itty-bitty LED light (e-gear PICO flashlight designed by survival expert Doug Ritter) http://www.essentialgear.com/store/p/117-eGear-PI…
And Ritter's little RSK MK5 knife that weighs 1.2 ounces (with sheath) and is the thickness of a couple credit cards. http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn=CL-2380
For dog walking I now carry on a neck lanyard just the house key, eGear PICO light and a FOX-40 whistle. The light-knife-whistle are designed for survival use but have all come in handy in less dire circumstances and can easily fit in a neck pouch, pocket or on a lanyard.
StrivingSimply
I carry my purse, but empty it frequently so that I don't have to search for what I need. I have pepper spray and a girly girl swiss army knife on my keys. On my work keys, I have a black pouch for my entrance badge, a little bit of money, and my ID if I'm going purseless. That and my wallet are really the only things I carry around on a regular basis. Any more and I'd get a backpack.
Ruth
I too carry a purse. Its not huge but it has many compartments so it is easy to organize. The key to keeping it organized is to not use it for trash. I carry first aid stuff, hand sanitizer, multi-tool and hair ties among other things. Even though I don't use some of these things often, I haven't used a lot of the preps we bought over the last 4 years either but will be ready if we ever need them Just my 2 cents..
Suec
I always have a dilema about bags or purses. I have never been a 'purse' girl (we call them handbags in the UK) and I tended to carry things in my pockets. But I am also wanting to make sure I am prepared when out and about. I use 2 bags – both over the head/shoulder ones so I am relatively hands free. I have a small bag that just carries money/cards/phone and keys (and I can usually squeeze in tissues and hand gel) then I have what my children call, my 'Jack Bauer' bag. Bigger with several pockets but can produce amazing things on a day out…….(1st aid kit, wet wipes, snacks, camera even a sweater!)
Great thread by the way, I've found it interesting reading about what others do.
Sue
TheSurvivalMom
I found that the bigger the purse, the more I stuffed into it. Interestingly, I rarely ever needed what I had packed in there, with the exception of a Tide to Go pen.
CBP
I quit carrying a purse. . . again. I first gave one up when I realized that I never used most of the junk in it, including one of those little hair brushes–I can't get one through my hair anyway. I went back to carrying a small purse a while back because it seems women's pants pockets are not what they used to me and things were creeping out. But I really don't like having to keep my hands on a purse so it doesn't walk away — and all that digging around to find things.
These neck pouches are interesting. Forgive me from being dimwitted though, are they hanging around the neck in front or are they crossing under the arm?
TheSurvivalMom
Mine just hangs around my neck in front, like a lanyard.
Dagny T
I got my tiny bags from a couple whose craftsmanship has them on the craft show circuit (including the Baltimore Craft Show where I've bought from them the past couple years) in addition to selling on their website. Their little leather bags sell for $21-25 and their fabric versions are even cheaper. The cords adjust simply by tying a knot at the appropriate place.
http://www.mapleleather.com/minibags/
Very highly recommend – terrific value. You'll also see that they will be in craft shows around the country this year.
Jacqueline Acevedo
Me too!!!! I bought a small leather cellphone pouch at Walgreens, & that’s all I carry now. Phone, cash, id’s, credit cards, & tiny pouches of hand sanitizer. cool!
S. Davis
I haven't used a purse for fifteen years. My cellphone fits in one of my pockets and in the other pocket is a nice blue metal card holder I saw in a magazine while flying. It holds all of my credit cards, ID and money. I keep a few things in my car if I need them. I began having shoulder problems with a purse and my doctor said I needed to lighten my purse or face damage in my shoulders so I dumped my purse. I also had my purse stolen twice and now that is something that will never happen again. And when shopping you don't have to worry about leaving it somewhere. I think purses are cute and expensive but I will never spend $100 for a purse. With today's economy, I can think of using that money to buy something I really need. Like the rent or light bill or food.
Bonnie
Would love to find the metal blue case you spoke of. Thank you.
TheSurvivalMom
Bonnie, it sounds like it's a business card holder. I've seen them in office supply stores. The one mentioned here may have been purchased from a Sky Mall catalog.
Susan
I am laughing about this…I didn't carry a purse until I was in my 40's! I thought that if I carried one, I would then buy a mini-van (no offense to mini-van drivers) and then I would become June Cleaver. Complete fear. Then, one day I bought a purse. I was amazed at how easy it made it to take the stuff I need with me! (even laptop). As my office often travels with me, I now find purses essential. I have gone the opposite direction! (doesn't mean I am not envious of you!)
TheSurvivalMom
So, the next logical question is…do you drive a mini-van yet??? LOL
Shelby
I don't know how you could do that, especially cold turkey! I feel like I have way to much stuff to carry around for me to just not have it.
Chris
I've never carried a purse! Beat that! J/k. Seriously though, I never have and its nice to see other people who are ditching the suitcase-purse (that holds everything and the kitchen sink – if you can find it) trend. There are many other routes to go, besides carrying a huge purse. If theres anything I have to have with me, it usually just fits in my pocket.
Claire
yea for you !!! I've have'nt carried a bag for years
i use a larger coin bag for all my cards with a key ring of course
put it my inside pocket of my jacket and off i go
just don't look in my locker at work i'm called the "the go to gal" you need it I got it
Leslie
I very recently became purse free when I dropped poorly wrapped leftover lemon pie into a brand new bag. I emptied out the bag and not satisfied that I have removed every possible trace of pie, I left my purse behind and just started putting my driver’s license and a credit card into a pocket. I have a key ring with 2 keys on it and my phone. That’s it! I don’t know for how long I can leave my purses at home but for now I love the change.