It’s been said that you can tell a lot about a woman by the contents of her purse.  ABC News even did a story on the content of Diane Sawyer’s purse and what it says about her.  So, what does your purse say about you?  Is it a chaotic mess of papers, gum, lipstick, and credit cards?  But you can’t ever find a pen when you need one?  If so, here is a way to make sense of the mess and lighten the amount you are carrying every day.

The module system is a great way to streamline your bag and carry less on a daily basis.  It consists of dividing up the items you need in your handbag into groups of like things and containing the groups into smaller individual bags and taking only what modules you need for the day.

Your modules may include: makeup, the office, emergencies, or the bank.  In your makeup module, you could carry a duplicate set of what you put on in the mornings or just the basics you need for a touch-up: lipstick, powder, or mascara.  Your portable office may contain a pen, a pencil, a pack of Post-Its, a small pair of scissors, a highlighter, an envelope or some stamps.  If you’re going to be out running errands, you may take this module so you can be certain you have everything you need to complete your tasks.  The emergencies module might include some band-aids, anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, or an assortment of medicines and might be taken when you know you’re going to be out of the house for a while or when you go on vacation.  The bank could simply be your wallet and/or checkbook – whatever you need to do your finances.

You can make as many or as few modules as make sense for you.  I have one for coupons and the gym as well as the ones previously listed.  Keep all of your modules near wherever you get ready to leave.  I like to keep mine on the bookcase near our door so I can double check that I have all the ones I need before I leave the house.  This system can not only make it easier for you to find things in your purse, it also makes it easier to change purses and prevents you from carrying more than you need to each day.  Your back will thank you!