My purse

[pegkerr]

On impulse, I weighed it at the doctor's office.

7.4 pounds

Oy.

How much does your purse weigh?

(And yes, I really do need everything that's in there).

Edited to add: At least I have the sense to use an Ameribag, which because of the way it is positioned, puts less strain on the neck and back and makes the load seem lighter. Layout here.

Comments

[redbird]

My list of essentials also includes my house keys--just in case the office burns down while I'm out of it. (Yes, that's unlikely, but not unheard of.)

[snippy]

There is a key to my house on my property, which is both hidden and protected by a combination lock. My kids were forever losing their keys and being locked out of the house after school, but they can remember the combination to the hidden vault where the key is--or, worst case, I was able to remind them of the combination over the phone, and then change it when I got home.

[redbird]

That sounds entirely sensible.

Everyone's list of essentials differs somewhat, and one of the differences is "do I have a workaround if I don't have this?"

From another angle, the reason I carry a PDA is that it weighs and bulks significantly less than the paper it replaced (including address book, appointment book, and miscellaneous paper lists--I'm not counting the calculator, the transit direction finder, or the games, because those were unexpected extras, not part of my original motivation).

[snippy]

Also, because I like going without a purse, I have a kit of essentials stashed at work, and another one in the car. That way I don't have to carry things back and forth, they are with me in the places where I spend most of my time.

And in addition to that kit, because I work in a high rise I have a bug-out bag at work, with various supplies meant to last 3 days.

[gamps-garret.livejournal.com]

I have to ask, what exactly is a bug-out bag?

[snippy]

It's a bag for in case you have to bug out. For example, if there were an earthquake and the building became unsafe, and we were evacuated; or if there were a flood, and I couldn't get home (I work on the opposite side of the river from my office). If for any reason there is a survivable emergency, I have supplies (food, water, bandages, paper/pens/pencils, extra money both folding and coins, dusk mask, folding emergency blanket, flashlight and batteries, pocket knife, etc.) in a backpack under my desk, easily grabbed on the run.