topic Re: Taking a handbag vs. not in Community Chat

Taking a handbag vs. not

Lacey1 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:11:48 GMT

Freedom! When I go out to run errands-I've ditched the purse! I wear jeans-put the phone in one back pocket-my wallet in the other. It's a relief not to be lugging a purse around.

I see so many purses in unattended shopping carts, on the front seat of cars, and hanging off someone's arm-easy to snatch.

I don't miss all the, 'stuff' that was in my purse. Now, I bring a purse on more formal events, but for short errands-Try leaving it at home!

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

brii — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:13:49 GMT

That's why I use crossbody bags when I'm out running around.

I can't carry my phone, wallet and keys in my hand.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

silkyk — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:16:55 GMT

No way could I do that....this is me....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TL7LaxyYz4

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

beckyb1012 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:20:33 GMT

I have been doing that for years now and so love it.

A few more pockets to hold things in the winter between sweatpants and my jacket. But as long as I have one for phone and keys and my sunglasses get slipped on the collar of my shirt if I need to take them off. Then just my wallet in my hand.

So freeing. Add lack of make-up and that is my week-end!! Have fun shopping or running those errands with a spring in your step!!

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Lacey1 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:25:37 GMT

I have my keys on a caribeener, (sp.) clip and hook them to my belt loop. Men can manage without a purse-So can I!

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

ID2 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:26:41 GMT

Nope, I gotta carry a purse. I need to keep my medical supplies in it. Even if I didn't have to carry all this stuff with me I enjoy carrying a purse. I love looking like a full fledged girl.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

jlkz — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:31:49 GMT

Just last week I was in a checkout line in a dept. store. I was behind a mother and daughter: as the young woman was dealing with a charge slip, I noticed her cross body bag under her arm had the zipper open and exposed the edge of her credit cards.

When she finished, I excused myself and told her that it would be very easy for a crook to reach in and slip out her credit cards. Her mother thanked me for telling the daughter this as it reinforced what she had told her many times.

Kicker: the cashier told us how others had had things stolen while they were in her checkout station.

You really need to be aware of how vulnerable you are and take steps to minimize the exposure: close handbags, hold under arm, keep with you, take extra purchases to car trunk, have coupons organized and clipped together so you do not have to root around in purse or pockets. Keep alert and safe.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

CatsyCline — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:32:44 GMT

i cannot do that. i like my pets! (purses)

if i do anything out of the ordinary like no purse but only carry wallet, phone, keys i lose one of them.

i don't have pants with back pockets!

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Lacey1 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:35:03 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
Nope, I gotta carry a purse. I need to keep my medical supplies in it. Even if I didn't have to carry all this stuff with me I enjoy carrying a purse. I love looking like a full fledged girl.

No one has ever thought I was not a 'full-fledged' woman because of a purse! LOL!

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

missy1 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:37:57 GMT

I use a small crossbody bag only.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Vivian — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:42:12 GMT

I always carry a handbag. One of the first full sentences my granddaughter said was, "Nana's purse is HEAVY." Recently, though, I started carrying my own equipment to the YMCA. I was really ill recently and the equipment at our local Y is just plain dirty. Ironically, one week before I got sick, I complained to the head of the fitness program about the filthy-looking free weights.

After I recovered, i decided to bring my own free weights and bands to my strength building classes. I bought a pretty carry-all, put two sets of weights inside, and realized I should just use that as my handbag when I go to the strength classes. I added my water bottle, car keys, weight-lifting gloves, bands, and huge wallet to the already heavy bag. I figure there must be close to 30 pounds worth of stuff in there. The class studio is on the second floor of the Y. So there I was, in my cumbersome puffer coat, dragging that heavy bag up the steps. I really missed my heavy handbag. By comparison to that workout bag, it's light as a feather.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

millieshops — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:46:24 GMT

I can't be quite that free, but a few weeks ago I bought a Baggalli, black with beige zippers. It weighs virtually nothing, has great organization, and a wonderful strap that adjusts easily from crossbody to shoulder length. Even with tax, I paid under $25. Super bargain - and small enough that it holds the few things I really need - especially spare eye glasses and drops, both of which are not pocket friendly.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:47:07 GMT

Nope. I have to have my handbag. My phone is on the larger side plus inside of a case. I don't want that jammed into my back jeans pocket.

The only time I just grab my wallet and phone and go is if I'm running to pick up a prescription and I can go through the drive through.

If I'm going out for the evening, I have a wristlet I throw some things into. Otherwise, I'm a purse person.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:48:05 GMT

@Lacey1 wrote:
Freedom! When I go out to run errands-I've ditched the purse! I wear jeans-put the phone in one back pocket-my wallet in the other. It's a relief not to be lugging a purse around.
I see so many purses in unattended shopping carts, on the front seat of cars, and hanging off someone's arm-easy to snatch.
I don't miss all the, 'stuff' that was in my purse. Now, I bring a purse on more formal events, but for short errands-Try leaving it at home!

I can't imagine how small your wallet must be to fit in a rear jeans pocket, but if it works for you ... that's great. Are you using a man's wallet?

My slacks don't have pockets but my purse is well attended when I go out. Even carrying a few loose items would be more trouble than it's worth.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Lacey1 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:56:07 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Lacey1 wrote:
Freedom! When I go out to run errands-I've ditched the purse! I wear jeans-put the phone in one back pocket-my wallet in the other. It's a relief not to be lugging a purse around.
I see so many purses in unattended shopping carts, on the front seat of cars, and hanging off someone's arm-easy to snatch.
I don't miss all the, 'stuff' that was in my purse. Now, I bring a purse on more formal events, but for short errands-Try leaving it at home!
I can't imagine how small your wallet must be to fit in a rear jeans pocket, but if it works for you ... that's great. Are you using a man's wallet?

My slacks don't have pockets but my purse is well attended when I go out. Even carrying a few loose items would be more trouble than it's worth.

Seriously, if you're just running a few errands-how much do you need in your wallet? My Driver's license, insurance card, credit/debit card? I have my smart phone set up with emergency numbers. That makes for a small wallet.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Hershey2 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:58:50 GMT

Carrying your phone in your back pocket is a good way to have it stolen. My granddaughter was warned of that when she went to college.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

missy1 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:01:06 GMT

@Hershey2 wrote:
Carrying your phone in your back pocket is a good way to have it stolen. My granddaughter was warned of that when she went to college.

I carry mine in my front pocket. I don't have a fancy larger phone.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

Suziepeach — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:04:33 GMT

I just carry an east to west crossbody bag and mostly carry handbags out of habit, to be honest. I might have to give thought about carrying so much but then what I carry isn't a lot, make sense? LOL

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

151949 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:14:22 GMT

I purchased 2 RFID wallets on a string from HSN. One black and one bone. I use the black one as my wallet and it also has a pocket for a cell phone - which is where I store the strap when it is in my purse. If I decide to go hands free - shopping or at a fair etc - I take the strap out and put my phone in there with a hanky and wear it crossbody. Now I have my credit card, my money, my phone - everything I need and can leave my purse in the car. It's only a one min trans formation from wallet to crossbody bag. Only thing is DH has to carry my rescue inhaler in his pocket because I can't fit it in, or if we won't be far from the car I just leave it in my purse. I like that it is so lightweight that I can just let it hang crossbody while in a restaurant and it doesn't bother me at all. i find I carry my purse less and less since I got this.

Re: Taking a handbag vs. not

chickenbutt — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:21:47 GMT

I ditched it a long time ago, when it's just errands. I have a little wallet that I grab. It had any cash, cards, etc, and that's all I need if I'm just going to the store, post office, bank, etc.

Half the time I forget the phone, as I'm really not tied to my phone at all, and all I need are my keys and the little Coach wallet. It's just the kind that has a flap-over snap. Then you open it and there is a divided area for cards and a 'coin purse' part that zips closed. It's like a little smaller than two decks of cards stacked on top of each other.

If I had a coat or jacket on I can just put it in my pocket. We probably to go a point, as we get older, that we just don't feel the need to carry EVERYTHING around all the time. I agree that it is very freeing.