You Don't Need to be on a Diet to Weigh Less - Learn to Lighten Up!
A few days ago I received an Email from a customer, Vicky Ann, who wanted to know what the maximum weight our Tote Guardwould hold.
While I knew it held my purse and often my computer tote I had never stopped to
weigh them. I was amazed to learn in my quest to answer Vicky Ann's question
that my laptop tote weighs more then 10 pounds! Combined with a purse and
everything else I seem to schlep around on my right shoulder, no wonder I'm
tilting. Vicky Ann's question got me to thinking about how much we "travel" with
everyday. Over the years I've learned to travel light and lighter as my packing
motto has always been "the further you go the heavier it gets!," but I confess I
haven't given the same thought to all my everyday travel belongings - especially
my brief and laptop case.
I recently purchased a new Fujitsu laptop. I was crushed that my five-year-old 3 pound Sony no longer had the processing power I needed. While there are many cool features that laptops now have, what was most important to me was how much it weighed. I love my new computer but it does weigh 4-pounds - after-all now I'll have a larger screen and a built-in CD ROM/DVD drive. Come to find out that extra pound is heavy! Because it's not like you can just travel with a laptop, you have to have a laptop case and then there are things like a battery charger and DC power cord, and printer cord and a mouse (I like a mouse). Of course there's the paperwork too (there's always paperwork even with a laptop) - add it all up and it's heavy - ten pounds heavy!
For years I carried a large purse with everything I thought I need in it and I suffered from back pain all the time. When I traveled I'd change to a small shoulder strap purse that I could conceal under my jacket or sweater to thwart pickpockets. I'd even change to a smaller wallet - taking only what ID, cash, and credit cards I needed for the trip (leaving behind any thing I didn't need - they don't take Safeway coupons in Egypt!). Upon returning home after one trip I didn't have time to switch back to my "everyday" purse and ended up using my travel purse for about a week or more. I realized I got along fine and discovered an added bonus that the backaches disappeared.
Since then I buy only the smallest purses. Instead I have a tote bag in my car with many of the items that I once carried all the time - grocery coupons, date and address book, 3 pair of glasses and touch-up makeup, and dozens of lipsticks so on and so on…
My husband and friends are always amazed at my resourcefulness at what I
can actually get in my smallest of small purses - and they still come to me when
in need of something. I just have smaller of everything. I have a tiny bottle of
hand lotion and one of hand sanitizer, a small vial of aspirin, breath mints,
and one lipstick instead of 5, a band aid or two and even packets of sugar
substitute. I put all these essentials in a small coin purse and when I need to
change purses it's easy to make the switch. The key to carrying a small purse is
having a small wallet. My husband says, "It is like a magic trick to watch me
pull things out of my purse."
Truly I make out just fine going lightweight. Now it's time to put my laptop case on a crash diet!
Give some thought to what you lug around everyday. Moms are especially prone to overload and any business commuter should examine what's weighing them down.
Review what you carry and see if you can't do without - the weight you lose will make you look and feel better - your neck, shoulders and back will thank you.
Recommendations for Slimming Down:
Look for bi-fold or tri-fold type wallets. Preferably with a zip coin section and credit card slots.
Review the contents of your current wallet and see what you actually use on a regular basis. This is also a good time to make copies of
all your credit cards and ID (if your wallet is lost or stolen it makes it easier to replace). With identity theft on the rise it's best to commit your Social Security number
to memory and leave your card safe at home.
Checkbook users - clean out the clutter.
Select a purse that has a sturdy a handle and a well fastened shoulder strap. Also look for handbags that have zippered pockets both inside and out. Purses should have some type of closure -
open bags are too tempting to thieves, plus items can accidentally spill out. A few of my favorites are our: Tripper ToteCatalina Travel Pouch.andAirport
Express.
Try to select Purses and Totes that are sturdy but lightweight -
the new microfiber materials are great.
Take a hard look at what you carry in your purse - I bet you'll be surprised at what you find that you don't use or need.
Next see if you can take your essentials and go smaller. Find the smallest containers and fill them with what you use (sample sizes are great for this - sometimes
I buy a sample sizes just for the containers).
I have these tiny containers that holds ½ ounce - they're perfect one for hand sanitizer and one for lotion - (now I just have to find a lotion and sanitizer in-one!).
For those items that you need but don't use all the
time - put them in a tote bag and keep it in your car - they'll be handy but
you won't have to lug them around everyday. Be cautioned that make-up and
lipsticks can melt or freeze and don't leave valuables in your car.
Someone once told me that, "your front door is a reflection of what's in your
house," I think the same can be said about what you carry.
Your purse is a reflection of the your state of mind - neat and orderly or
cluttered and disheveled?
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travel tips. Meanwhile, I hope you'll share your travel tales, experiences,
likes and dislikes with us at: travel stories and travel tips.
Please let me know how I
can assist you with your travel needs.
You Don't Need to be on a Diet to Weigh Less - 
Specials!
