Easy Organizing: Your Purse

Your bag should weigh less than three pounds and be toted on alternate shoulders during the day, according to the American Chiropractic Association. To lighten your load (and spend less time searching for things), purge, then systemize: Dump the contents, mend any lining rips, and give each item a place, whether it's in a pocket, a wallet, or another organizer. Cecolo Bag, $428, Peter Hermann; 212-966-9050. Wallet, $20, J.Crew, jcrew.com

Toss the heavy metal. Empty coins weekly into a pretty jar, and convert them into bills at your grocery store or bank. You'll be surprised how much extra cash you had stashed and how much lighter your purse becomes.

Keep copies at home of the cards and IDs that are in your wallet. Since you're already cleaning out your bag, photocopy these, so you'll know whom to call and what to cancel if the originals are lost or stolen.

Toss the makeup counter's worth of products you're carrying back into your home cosmetics stash. On-the-go beauty supplies will be much handier to grab if they fit into a single pouch or baggie. Opt for travel-size products, or decant your favorite lotion or hairspray into travel containers.

A slim key-chain wallet works double time, holding both your keys and your most used items: driver's license, debit card, one or two credit cards, work ID, insurance card, and cash (stow the rest in a larger wallet or planner to take with you as needed). It'll make switching bags or making a quick purchase a breeze. To prevent the wallet from sinking into the black hole of your bag, pick up an inexpensive key-chain clip (find one at any hardware store or camping outlet), and get in the habit of snapping it onto a purse strap so you can always find it.

Most purses come with a few built-in pockets. But for small things that you want to corral, like cosmetics, or keep discreet, like feminine products, zipper pouches are the answer. Mesh bags in bright colors like these will be that much easier to see in your purse.

Attention, errand runners: You won't overstuff your satchel (or waste a plastic bag) if you keep a collapsible tote in your purse. Try the Envirosax, $8; it holds as much as two small shopping bags. Mesh Gussetless cases, $15.50 for 4" by 5", $17.50 for 5" by 7", Walker; 800-447-2279, walkerbags.com. Envirosax shopping bags, $8 for Greengrocer series; envirosax.com.

Manage receipts, coupons, and other wadded messes by designating a spot like a mini accordion organizer for stashing them until you're ready to deal with them (preferably before the organizer no longer closes). K Koizumi Japanese Blossoms Accordion Organizer, $9.50, Galison; 800-670-7441, galison.com.