Comments on: Question of the Day: What Essentials Do You Keep In Your Car? http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car A Personalized Approach to Decluttering Your Life Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:39:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Terry http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1566 Terry Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:43:13 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1566 Thats a great idea, putting the bags inside the paper towel roll. Thats a great idea, putting the bags inside the paper towel roll.

]]> By: Jennie http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1565 Jennie Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:37:50 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1565 I keep a diaper bag packed with clothes/underwear/diapers for each of my three girls. (Every three months or so, I check the clothes to make sure that they still fit - especially important for the baby.) Also, I never go ANYWHERE without my emergency throw up/poop kit, which has come in handy more times than I care to remember: A brand new roll of paper towels, an entire pack of diaper wipes, and as many plastic grocery bags as I can stuff down in the hole of the paper towels. It's a lifesaver! <abbr><em>Jennie’s last blog post...<a href="http://montessoristory.blogspot.com/2009/06/exception-words.html" rel="nofollow">Exception Words</a></abbr></em> I keep a diaper bag packed with clothes/underwear/diapers for each of my three girls. (Every three months or so, I check the clothes to make sure that they still fit – especially important for the baby.)

Also, I never go ANYWHERE without my emergency throw up/poop kit, which has come in handy more times than I care to remember:
A brand new roll of paper towels, an entire pack of diaper wipes, and as many plastic grocery bags as I can stuff down in the hole of the paper towels. It’s a lifesaver!

Jennie’s last blog post…Exception Words

]]> By: Karen http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1563 Karen Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:19:55 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1563 We keep a diaper bag stocked with: - diapers/ wipes/ bags for disposal - children's/ adult Tylenol - sunscreen/ hats - change of clothes for the youngest 2 kiddos - anti-bacterial hand cleanser - emergency "supplies" for the mama Under the mat, I have the jumper cables and such. I also keep a stroller, a bag full of reusable shopping bags (so I have them anytime I need them!), and some snacks/ water bottles. In my glove box, I keep an atlas, some spare straws, a pair of gloves along with the owner's manual/ registration/ insurance cards. Between the front seats, I have an organizer that holds change, pens, a Sharpie marker (I use this ALL the time!), and post-it notes. In my house, if you put it in the car- you bring it back in when we get home. We drive a lot and it takes NO time at all to fill the car with clutter if we don't stay on top of it! <abbr><em>Karen’s last blog post...<a href="http://mom2mykiddos.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-birthday-cael.html" rel="nofollow">Happy Birthday Cael!!!</a></abbr></em> We keep a diaper bag stocked with:
- diapers/ wipes/ bags for disposal
- children’s/ adult Tylenol
- sunscreen/ hats
- change of clothes for the youngest 2 kiddos
- anti-bacterial hand cleanser
- emergency “supplies” for the mama

Under the mat, I have the jumper cables and such.

I also keep a stroller, a bag full of reusable shopping bags (so I have them anytime I need them!), and some snacks/ water bottles.

In my glove box, I keep an atlas, some spare straws, a pair of gloves along with the owner’s manual/ registration/ insurance cards.

Between the front seats, I have an organizer that holds change, pens, a Sharpie marker (I use this ALL the time!), and post-it notes.

In my house, if you put it in the car- you bring it back in when we get home. We drive a lot and it takes NO time at all to fill the car with clutter if we don’t stay on top of it!

Karen’s last blog post…Happy Birthday Cael!!!

]]> By: Mandi http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1562 Mandi Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:07:25 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1562 Oh, yes, the potty is a must-have for us too! I learned that after I had to take my 3yo, 1.5yo and 2 WEEK old into a gas station by myself... Oh, yes, the potty is a must-have for us too! I learned that after I had to take my 3yo, 1.5yo and 2 WEEK old into a gas station by myself…

]]> By: Org Junkie http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1561 Org Junkie Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:00:32 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1561 Hey Mandi, thanks for including my links in your discussion. One other thing I forgot to mention is that each time we go on a trip my kids each bring a bag of activities with them but then are responsible for cleaning up and bringing that bag back into the house afterwards. It really makes a difference in keeping all the van clutter under control. <abbr><em>Org Junkie’s last blog post...<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/06/mini-mom-timeouts.html" rel="nofollow">Mini-Mom Timeouts</a></abbr></em> Hey Mandi, thanks for including my links in your discussion. One other thing I forgot to mention is that each time we go on a trip my kids each bring a bag of activities with them but then are responsible for cleaning up and bringing that bag back into the house afterwards. It really makes a difference in keeping all the van clutter under control.

Org Junkie’s last blog post…Mini-Mom Timeouts

]]> By: Terry http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1560 Terry Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:05:49 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1560 I notice alot of people talking about having an emergency tool in their car. I purchased a multi-purpose garden trowel last summer that has a reinforced handle, twine cutter, and knife edge on it that I keep in my truck. The twine cutter cuts 550 para cord like butter so I know it will cut a seat belt. I don't know if I can say the brand but if you ask I'll tell. I notice alot of people talking about having an emergency tool in their car. I purchased a multi-purpose garden trowel last summer that has a reinforced handle, twine cutter, and knife edge on it that I keep in my truck. The twine cutter cuts 550 para cord like butter so I know it will cut a seat belt. I don’t know if I can say the brand but if you ask I’ll tell.

]]> By: Barbara http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1559 Barbara Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:54:31 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1559 Don't have much of anything I keep in my car. My five year old likes to bring a lot of things along, but not take it out of the car when we get home. So now we are working on gathering things up when we get home. Don’t have much of anything I keep in my car. My five year old likes to bring a lot of things along, but not take it out of the car when we get home. So now we are working on gathering things up when we get home.

]]> By: Clara S. http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1557 Clara S. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:15:10 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1557 This is a great topic - especially since I just spent the morning cleaning out our van. We keep it pretty clutter free but all the sand/crumbs/etc; it gets pretty yucky! We have an organizer in the trunk that I think I got from Walmart. It straps onto the entire back of the rear seat and has tons of pockets. I love it because it keeps all the stuff off the floor of the trunk. In there I keep a change of clothes for each kid, extra wipes, a first aid kit, a "neat sheet" and a fold-up potty (I have a 2 year old potty training) as well as a ziplock full of plastic grocery bags. My husband has some other "tool" things in there as well but I'm not sure exactly what so hopefully I'll never need them :) In between the driver and passenger seat in the front I keep a small basket with paper cups (for handing out small snack portions) tissue, and napkins. In the past I've tried having a small tote in the back for books, paper, pencils, etc for the kids but we never had success keeping the stuff picked up so I got rid of it. They are allowed to bring out one thing to the car but it must come in when we get home. That's the only way we can keep the car semi clean - take back in what you bring out (and that includes Mommy too!) <abbr><em>Clara S.’s last blog post...<a href="http://thesoundaras.blogspot.com/2009/06/we-finally-did-it.html" rel="nofollow">We finally did it!</a></abbr></em> This is a great topic – especially since I just spent the morning cleaning out our van. We keep it pretty clutter free but all the sand/crumbs/etc; it gets pretty yucky! We have an organizer in the trunk that I think I got from Walmart. It straps onto the entire back of the rear seat and has tons of pockets. I love it because it keeps all the stuff off the floor of the trunk. In there I keep a change of clothes for each kid, extra wipes, a first aid kit, a “neat sheet” and a fold-up potty (I have a 2 year old potty training) as well as a ziplock full of plastic grocery bags. My husband has some other “tool” things in there as well but I’m not sure exactly what so hopefully I’ll never need them :) In between the driver and passenger seat in the front I keep a small basket with paper cups (for handing out small snack portions) tissue, and napkins. In the past I’ve tried having a small tote in the back for books, paper, pencils, etc for the kids but we never had success keeping the stuff picked up so I got rid of it. They are allowed to bring out one thing to the car but it must come in when we get home. That’s the only way we can keep the car semi clean – take back in what you bring out (and that includes Mommy too!)

Clara S.’s last blog post…We finally did it!

]]> By: Suzanne http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1556 Suzanne Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:42:23 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1556 As a adult with no children at home, in my car I have detailed street maps for my local area; napkins; registration and insurance info - all in my glove box along with my auto manual. In my back seat I have my grocery totes (about 6 held in one of them); my umbrella; and my large windshield sunvisor. In my tote bag, I carry my purse; my hairbrush, hair bands, barettes, and cell phone. In the winter I add my Yax trac (put on my shoes to aid walking on the ice). In my way back (I have a Subaru Outback)I have a beach blanket (heavier blanket in the winter) and in the winter a shovel, ice scraper/long handle brush. When I know I am going for a period longer that an hour or two, I also pack a small cooler with water and fruit. I try to eat a small amount every 3 hours or so. After reviewing the lists, I believe I will get a first aid kit to keep in the glove box or console as well as an emergency tool. As a adult with no children at home, in my car I have detailed street maps for my local area; napkins; registration and insurance info – all in my glove box along with my auto manual.
In my back seat I have my grocery totes (about 6 held in one of them); my umbrella; and my large windshield sunvisor.
In my tote bag, I carry my purse; my hairbrush, hair bands, barettes, and cell phone. In the winter I add my Yax trac (put on my shoes to aid walking on the ice).
In my way back (I have a Subaru Outback)I have a beach blanket (heavier blanket in the winter) and in the winter a shovel, ice scraper/long handle brush.
When I know I am going for a period longer that an hour or two, I also pack a small cooler with water and fruit. I try to eat a small amount every 3 hours or so.
After reviewing the lists, I believe I will get a first aid kit to keep in the glove box or console as well as an emergency tool.

]]> By: April http://www.organizingyourway.net/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-what-essentials-do-you-keep-in-your-car/comment-page-1#comment-1555 April Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:51:33 +0000 http://www.organizingyourway.net/?p=1468#comment-1555 First things first, I don't think it's possible to have children and have an organized car! :) Ha! :) I love having an SUV because I CAN have my "must haves" in the car without compromising space or comfort. In the back seat I have a plastic tote with handles that the boys are allowed to fill with whatever toys they want but they have to stay IN THERE when we get out (easier said than done) -- it's a work in progress. In the back, I keep a milk crate with the following: *zip loc bags of napkins *an extra box of Kleenex *plastic cups *boo boo box (small first aid kit) *two bottles of water *two rain ponchos *antibacterial hand wipes *Zoo pals brand snack cups (built in lids) *straws in case we get drinks from some place and they either have a hole in the straw or forget to give us one *sunblock and/or bug spray (depending on the season) *our cup of Chuck E Cheese game tokens because you never know when you'll actually be hit with the urge to get out of the Texas heat I also keep a tote with this in it: *two towels *a travel blanket Also in the back is where I keep my emergency roadside kit (jumper cables, flares, flashlight, etc.) in it. I always have at least 2 umbrellas as well. Depending on the season I have a few other items... when it's "sports season" I keep my two bleacher seats in there. In my console I keep my emergency tool (has a hammer for breaking windows, cutter for seatbelts, etc.) my car charger for my MP3 player We ALSO have a tote that we take with us when we're "on the go" It has markers, crayons, small containers of playdoh, plastic stencils, sketch pads, activity books, etc. This comes in and out of the vehicle with us since, face it, it gets hot in Texas and I don't want the crayons to melt or the markers to dry out. If we're goign to be gone longer than an hour, I also grab our handy little travel cooler and pack the boys some grapes (halved of course so they don't choke, carrots or other chilly snack) and something to drink. It's nice to have that so you don't have eto stop for unnecessary and unhealthy snacks/drinks when you're on the road. First things first, I don’t think it’s possible to have children and have an organized car! :) Ha! :) I love having an SUV because I CAN have my “must haves” in the car without compromising space or comfort.

In the back seat I have a plastic tote with handles that the boys are allowed to fill with whatever toys they want but they have to stay IN THERE when we get out (easier said than done) — it’s a work in progress.

In the back, I keep a milk crate with the following:
*zip loc bags of napkins
*an extra box of Kleenex
*plastic cups
*boo boo box (small first aid kit)
*two bottles of water
*two rain ponchos
*antibacterial hand wipes
*Zoo pals brand snack cups (built in lids)
*straws in case we get drinks from some place and they either have a hole in the straw or forget to give us one
*sunblock and/or bug spray (depending on the season)
*our cup of Chuck E Cheese game tokens because you never know when you’ll actually be hit with the urge to get out of the Texas heat

I also keep a tote with this in it:
*two towels
*a travel blanket

Also in the back is where I keep my emergency roadside kit (jumper cables, flares, flashlight, etc.) in it. I always have at least 2 umbrellas as well.

Depending on the season I have a few other items… when it’s “sports season” I keep my two bleacher seats in there.

In my console I keep my emergency tool (has a hammer for breaking windows, cutter for seatbelts, etc.) my car charger for my MP3 player

We ALSO have a tote that we take with us when we’re “on the go” It has markers, crayons, small containers of playdoh, plastic stencils, sketch pads, activity books, etc. This comes in and out of the vehicle with us since, face it, it gets hot in Texas and I don’t want the crayons to melt or the markers to dry out.

If we’re goign to be gone longer than an hour, I also grab our handy little travel cooler and pack the boys some grapes (halved of course so they don’t choke, carrots or other chilly snack) and something to drink. It’s nice to have that so you don’t have eto stop for unnecessary and unhealthy snacks/drinks when you’re on the road.

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