Having an organized and clean car can help make your daily commute and time running errands much more pleasant for you.  Some things that should stay in your car are: an emergency kit, a container for trash, insurance and other important papers, some snacks, and something to entertain the kids.

Man vs. Wild

An emergency kit is important to keep you safe in case of an emergency. Some things you might include are:

• Jumper Cables
• Flat and/or Phillips Screwdriver
• Utility Knife
• Lug Wrench or Tire Iron
• Tire pressure gauge
• Pliers
• Adjustable wrench or small auto wrench kit
• 1 Quart of Oil
• Funnel
• Paper Towels
• Work gloves
• Small Throw Rug (to protect knees and heads if you have to get under your car)
• Duct Tape
• 4 Emergency Flares
• Flashlight with Extra Batteries
• Cat Litter or Rock Salt (in case you get stuck in ice)
• Lighter or Matches
• Bottled Water
• Basic First Aid Kit with First Aid Manual
• Extra Blankets and/or Thermal Emergency Blankets
• Poncho
• Safety Vest
• Dried Fruit, Nuts, Granola, Meal Bars, Trail Snacks, Dried Meat, Raisins, Peanut Butter, or Saltine Crackers (foods that will last through temperature changes and for a long time)
• Fire extinguisher
• Battery Powered Radio and Extra Batteries
• Maps
• Compass
• Pocket Knife
• Ice scraper
• Cell Phone Charger
• Emergency Cash and Quarters
• Candles

Each family is different and you may find that you need more or less things in yours and this list is by no means a comprehensive one for every single type of emergency.  For example, with a baby, you may want to put some extra wipes and diapers in your kit.  Putting a kit in your car will not only protect your family in case of emergency, it will give you peace of mind knowing that you are as prepared as possible for whatever the road throws your way.  It’s important to keep it in your car at all times since you never know what’s going to happen, even if you’re just driving around town.

Don’t Mess with My Car

Invest in one of those litter bags that attaches to the back of a seat.  It will be $3.oo well spent.  Anything that needs to be thrown away while in transit should go into the litter bag, not onto the floor or out the window.  Make sure that the bag is easily accessed and line it with an old grocery bag to make emptying it easier and keep it clean.  Every time you get gas, empty your litter bag while your gas is pumping.  This will go miles for keeping your car clean. It’s just as easy to throw a straw wrapper onto the floor as it will be to place it in the bag and you won’t have to move trash out of the way when you get into your car.

License and Registration, Please

A great way to organize the papers you need to keep in your car, such as registration papers and  a copy of your insurance, is to buy a receipt or coupon file.  These files only cost about $1.50 and have thirteen divided sections.  Put each of your separate papers into one section and label it on the tab.  Also place a list of emergency phone numbers in your file.  These may include AAA, family members in and out of town, and any roadside assistance numbers your state may offer.  Also put in a blank notepad and pen for those moments when you need it.  This file will fit easily into your glove box, and stop you from having to rummage through all those loose scraps when you need to find something.

“Moooooom, I’m staaaaarving!”

I also recommend keeping some snacks in the car at all times.  Refill it each week when you buy groceries.  I have a bad habit of not eating in the rush before I’m leaving to run errands and in the middle of my trips end up stopping for fast food because I’m famished.  This can be costly and unhealthy.  By keeping a bag of meal bars, crackers, popcorn, and 100 calorie packs of cookies, I can eat these snacks instead.  It’s cheaper, healthier, and saves time since I don’t have to stop at a drive-thru.  This is also especially important with kids.  Put some nutritious snacks in the car and when they get hungry mid-trip, you can hand them something quickly.

Speaking of kids, you should always keep a few toys or books in the car to keep your children entertained.  Nothing is worse than getting stuck in traffic and having bored and fussy children in the backseat.  Just a tote bag full of fun things can help save your sanity in these moments.

I can’t believe I forgot…

Keeping extras of things you need regularly while you’re out, but have a propensity to forget, is also a good idea.  For me, that is an extra Bible.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown up to a Bible study without a Bible.  So, I put an extra one in my car.  That way, if I get there and realize I’ve forgotten mine, I can grab the extra one.  For busy moms, this might be diapers or pacifiers.  For a salesman, it might be extra brochures.  For a frequent gym-goer, it could be extra socks.  Whatever it is, if it’s already in your car it won’t be a major event if you’ve forgotten to grab it at home. Just remember to replace it with another one so it’ll be there for next time. Another thing I keep with me in the car is a microcassette recorder.  I always think of things I need to do while I’m driving, but by the time I get to my destination I have forgotten.  I can easily use the cassette recorder in the car to make myself an audio note.  Some cell phones have a feature to record notes as well, just remember that it’s never safe to do something that requires you to look away from the road while you’re driving.  Wait until you come to a stop.

Cleaning Up Your Act

On the day you get gas, you should also consider getting your car a quick wash and vacuum.  If you do this once a week, it will never get so bad that you have to spend hours cleaning your car.  You can even keep Swiffer Dusting Cloths in your car to wipe down the dashboard once a week.  This make take ten minutes of your time, but it will save you time in the long run and make your drive a much more pleasurable experience!