purse clutterAh, the purse. They're great, aren't they? They hold what you need and some of what you don't.

At any given time, mine holds an electronics store worth of stuff -- iPod, phone, camera, chargers, you name it. I once found eight lip glosses in there.

It's so easy to junk up your bag -- and what do you do when it fills up? Get a bigger bag! Before you know it, you're hauling around half your house (plus eight lip glosses).

Organizer Jill Pollack Lewis has some great tips for decluttering your purse in Day 2 of Project 10 Days to Clutter Free. You know, so you can actually find your keys without dumping the whole thing on the ground.

Step 1: Save only the bare essentials

What Should Be There:

  • One wallet containing no more than 2 credit cards, a debit card, driver's license, health/auto insurance card, auto club card, bus pass/metro card
  • Pocket to hold your keys
  • Cell phone
  • A few small necessities: 1 lippie, a mirrored compact, pen and small notepad

Step 2: Rethink your purse's purpose

What Should Not Be There:

  • Social Security card
  • Receipts that are not for returning items
  • Loose change -- use a change purse
  • One change purse to hold all gift cards and frequent buyer cards
  • Old anything: Chinese fortunes, old business cards, old receipts

Step 3: Get organized tips

  • Receipts: If you are going to return something, then do it. After a certain amount of time, you won't be able to get your money back. If the receipts are for tax purposes, empty them into a special file with your financial info.
  • Wallet size: Pick a longer wallet that has a change purse and 5 or 6 smaller pockets for cards and one or two spaces behind. This should be enough space for you to hold everything you need but be able to fit into an evening bag as well.

 

Image via SunshineCity/Flickr