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In response to my: October 14th Newsletter on the topic of What do I do with my purse, I received nearly 300 responses. I had no idea that this topic would have such dramatic interest...and I thank all of my GON readers for so graciously responding. For the sake of space, I've included as many as I can below. This particular newsletter is well outside of the 5-minute-read limit, but I thought it was worth it because there was such a wide range of helpful ideas. Since it's a personal matter where folks store their purses/handbags (to keep the whereabouts of your purse confidential for safety reasons), I've kept responses anonymous. Also, the two photos included in this newsletter, the one above, and the one further down, are also reader photos. Here goes...

* I keep my purse by my front door hanging on a hook along with masks.

* I keep the purse that I'm currently using in the hall closet by the front door ...and the purses I'm not using on a shelf in my bedroom closet.

* When I'm not using my everyday purse, I hang it on a hook in my laundry room by the door into my garage. We always keep the door from the garage into the house locked. I always know where it is, and it is easily reachable when I am on my way out.

* I leave my purse and car keys in my car which I always leave locked in the garage. Fortunately my garage is attached to my house and a connecting door opens into the kitchen--the busiest room of the house!

* My purse usually ends up on a chair or on a table if I am running in the house for a while and then leaving again a little later. Otherwise, I try to always put my purse on a shelf in my bedroom closet. That way, it is out of sight and where I can grab it and go easily. Also, if I am preparing to leave the house and need to add to it, I place it on the foot of my bed to clean it out or add things to it. One tip I remember from a past newsletter is that those who break into homes, look through the windows to see what they can quickly grab. My home has several windows in the living and dining room area and so I try to make sure my purse is not visible from those windows at night.

* My purse hangs in my hall closet, ready for when I need it when going out.

* I'm glad to respond to help if I can. We're very limited on shelf space. The purse I'm currently using goes on a hanger that is always in the same place in our bedroom closet. The other two or three for different seasons or occasions are in a box with summer hats and winter scarves, hats, and gloves. My small umbrella is always in a small tote bag just behind my red bathrobe in our bedroom closet.

* I have my everyday purse right by the front door and place the car/house keys on top of it. I downsized to a small one with just the essentials so I could carry it on my shoulder rather than plop it in the shopping cart as I did pre-COVID.

* I keep mine in my closet on top of a bin! This way, it's safe and out of view should a guest come unexpectedly!

* I have a desk in my mudroom and I keep my purse on top of that so it's convenient to grab on the way out and put back on the way in. Alternately, you could hang it on a hook in your mudroom. I use the same purse every day. I keep special purses, that I only use occasionally, in my closet.

* I had a series of hooks installed under the lowest storage shelf that covers most of the wall (about chest height) in our utility room. The hook nearest the door to the garage from that room is designated to hold my purse. It is the most convenient spot I've ever had. I grab it and go out the door. The other hooks hold net sweater dryers, duffle bags (in their covers), and craft and other supplies sorted into separate tote bags. I am so glad I asked our handy person to install them for us. Thank you for all your good ideas and information. Being reminded helps keep me on my toes about putting things away EVERY TIME.

* I have a hook in the closet by my front door. I immediately hang up my purse when I come home.

* I too always put it on the shelf in a closet. My closet is right next to my garage door where are coats are so it's just 'grab-and-go.'

* I store my purses in my closet on a shower curtain rod. My closet is the walk-in kind with clothes rods on either side; that leaves a blank wall at the back. I laid the rod over the shelves above the clothing rods, put the shower curtain hangers on the rod, and hang my purses from the curtain hangers. That blank wall became a purse wall. This works well for me because I only have a few purses and they're all shoulder bags. For someone with a lot of purses in a lot of different styles, this idea would only be useful for the shoulder bags. Clear plastic shoe boxes are nice for small evening clutches. Larger clear plastic storage boxes can be used for larger purses. Since they can be stacked, they don't take up too much space.

* I have a hook on the wall, just inside my bedroom, where I hang the purse I'm currently using. That keeps it out of sight of windows and other people who may be in the house (can you tell my sweetheart is a retired police officer?) but it's easily accessible to me.

* After absentmindedly putting my overstuffed purse down and walking away while shopping, only to realize 10 minutes later that I didn't have my purse with me, I personally have decided to give up carrying a purse everywhere I go...my back and shoulders thank me for it! Instead, I keep the normal items I would carry in my purse, in a small bag in the car (spare change, key to the house, tinted lip balm, hand sanitizer, extra masks). I keep my 'wallet' items such as driver's license, health card and the 1 credit card I use, in a small adhesive pocket I've attached to the back of my cell phone case. I have scanned and stored all other 'cards' (either credit or points cards) into the app called Stocard. This way I'm not carrying them with me everywhere I go, for no reason at all. They're all stored in my phone. I don't use cash for anything as my husband says it's liquid in my hands. I always ensure any outfit I wear has pockets so I have a place for a few tissues, my cell phone, and car key fob. Since I always use the garage door opener to access the house, I don't have to worry about carrying a bunch of useless keys with me on a 10 pound key chain. Seriously, what do I need to be lugging around with me everywhere I go...absolutely nothing. The everyday purse I used to carry is hanging on a hook in my closet, ready to go if I ever need it. I also have an insert in my purse that holds all the stuff people deem important and I can transfer it from one purse to another in the blink of an eye. I can't tell you how freeing it is to go into a store and not have to worry about someone grabbing my purse off my shoulder, putting it down and walking away, or just struggling and juggling it from shoulder to shoulder while out shopping. I'm enjoying my freedom...of course, the past 8 months I haven't really gone anywhere due to COVID, but when it's over and I'm out shopping again, this is how I'll roll!

* I keep my purse on the hall tree in our entryway when I'm home. That way I always know where it is and have to walk past it when leaving the house. Car keys too!

* My husband insists on a certain level of cleanliness. So, when I get home from a trip in the car, he takes my purse (which he tells me is FULL of germs from all the places I've been) and immediately wipes it down with a wet, soapy cloth. Then it goes on the floor next to my craft desk in the dining room, alongside my purse-style lunch bag. It works for me because I know it will never be misplaced and when I drive into the office (rare these days) I can also quickly grab and fill my nearby lunch bag.

* I have a hook hanging on the inside of the coat closet door. I loop the purse handle over this hook, which is also where my umbrella and key ring hang. It's near the door, so it's easy to grab and hang up, and it's close to my jacket on colder days.

* First, I DO NOT leave my everyday purse near the front or back door. A few years ago, my purse was in plain sight near the back door and a thief broke in through a locked sliding door and grabbed my purse and another bag nearby, and then went on a spending spree in the next hour! I had to have the locks changed on the house, and find a way to secure the car, because the thief had my keys, phone, wallet, favorite lipstick, and valuable bus tickets. The next 2 weeks were spent notifying lots of organizations and obtaining another driver's license, cell phone, debit card, credit card, a new purse and wallet. An expensive mistake. When I return home, my everyday purse is placed on a desk in the kitchen, but the purse cannot be seen through any windows. Other purses are hung on the back of my bedroom door so I can use a different colored purse when desired.

* My purse goes where I go 24/7 as I never know when I'll need something that's in it. If I'm watching TV in the living room, it's by my chair. When I retire for the evening, it's beside my bed. Also for me, it's a safety issue. If I need to leave my home quickly in an emergency, I don't want to hunt for it or try to retrieve it from a section of my home that might not be accessible. My mother says that when I was a young child, I didn't sleep with my doll, I slept with my purse so I'd know where it was when I woke up!

* HA! HA! I would like to respond, but it is certainly not a solution! I put the one I come home with on a chair in our 'command center' and push the chair in so it's less visible. The problem is when I come home with a different one, it goes to the same spot. Soon I have more than 3 on the chair. Maybe if I want to go out with a different one, I should trade its place with the one on the chair so there's only one there.

* When you come home, do not drop your purse and keys by the front door. That location makes it so easy for a robber or burglar. Take your purse to the bedroom or dressing room.

* I hang my purse on a hook by the back door to the garage along with my umbrella and shopping bags. I also have a coat tree in my bedroom where I hang the purses I am not currently using, but I can see them all if I need that bright pink purse to match my outfit.

* I used to keep my purse by the door, so that I could grab it as I dashed out, but decided that was not a safe place for it at night. So, now I keep it in my bedroom on a small stool beside my dresser along with a change of clothes. That way, if I have to leave in a hurry at night, (fire, storm, or medical emergency) I can grab the clothes if I don't have time to change and my purse and keys and get out of the house quickly.

* We hung two coat racks (each with 4 hooks) inside our entry coat closet. The top rack is for me. I use it to hang my purse, keys, sunglasses, and (in winter) scarf/umbrella. It allows me to grab what I need as I go out the door. I clean out receipts/and items that don't belong in my purse when I get home before hanging it back up. Less-used purses are stored on a shelf at the top of the closet, so they're still easy to grab. The lower coat rack is where our two boys hang their backpacks/baseball caps. When they were babies, the diaper bag hung there, ready to go.

* I sling my crossbody bag over the dining room chair. The dining room is right off the kitchen, and I can grab it quickly. It's not in the path of the living room, so there would be no reason for anyone coming in to even see it, yet it's handy to grab right there. I would be sure to keep a purse stashed away from viewing eyes from anyone entering your home. Upstairs doesn't work for me. It's just too far. I would suggest not using a coat closet because people can see it when you hang their coat. And certainly not in an entryway or living room.

* I keep my purse in a kitchen cabinet that also houses miscellaneous items. That way, it's handy if I'm in a hurry. My neighbor hangs hers on a coat hook just inside the back door, with a coat or jacket covering it.

* I keep my purse on my desk chair in the kitchen. It's handy if I need a credit card number or insurance info or a quick trip to the grocery.

* My everyday purse is hung on the back of my chair at my command center where I check it before I go out, making sure I have removed receipts, and double checking the coin purse to make sure I have some $1s and change for tips. Some places ask for exact change for small purchases. I make sure my bank card is in its RFID envelope and in my wallet. I do not go shopping every day but I know where my purse is if I have to go out. My keys hang on a hook next to the garage door. Thanks for all the get organizing help...I have enjoyed your web site for many years. Thank you.

* In response to the purse dilemma, I used to put it in a somewhat empty cabinet in my kitchen (before we removed some cabinets for metal shelving) because the kitchen was by the main door. It was convenient for online purchases when needing a credit card number. I then moved it to my bedroom closet where it is now. I'm a clutter-phobe and do not like things sitting on my kitchen counters.

* I am blessed to have a 2nd floor extra bedroom that is my study. My purse sits on the floor next to my recliner/reading station so I have access to contents of my wallet and cell phone as needed for online orders, etc.

* I hang my purse on a hook just inside the laundry room, which is conveniently very close to the door into the house from our garage.

* I toss my purse on a wooden chair that is near the front door. Probably not the safest place (especially when the door is open), but convenient.

* The purse I am currently using gets placed on the floor in my bedroom. It's next to a chair and not in a walkway so I won't trip on it. My keys always get placed in my purse. When I had a smaller bedroom in a different house, I kept it on the floor near the head of my bed.

* I always put my current/everyday purse on the door knob of my bedroom door. It's always in the same place, and if I need it in a hurry, it's grab and go. Our old house has very small closets, so the closet or shelf is not an option.

* I have a hook near the garage door that is specifically for my purse. Stored purses are in open bins on top of my hutch in our master walk-in closet. Old pillowcases on top keep them from getting dusty. I purge my purses every year or so. If I haven't used the purse in two years, it is donated to a clothing closet.

* I have two options 1) a hook beside the front door or 2) a narrow table in the hall that leads to the garage. A staging area is very helpful to keep my limited trips outside the house efficient.

* My bag is next to my work tote bag on a chair that we don't use at the kitchen table. However, it is best not to keep purses out in the open where they can be seen by potential burglars.

* It's never occurred to me that my purse needs a permanent home! LOL My purse lives wherever it lands, but mostly on my piano (a 100-year old upright near the front door) or on a kitchen chair. In the course of a day, my purse has been on the car floor, in a grocery basket, on a store counter...you get the idea. I wouldn't want to store it in my closet as it's probably the most germy thing I own. But NOW I'll make a home for it on the bookshelves I pass on the way out of the house.

* I always keep my purse on a shelf in my closet. My keys are always in my purse along with, in normal times, my small errand book which includes my grocery list. I cannot stand to hunt for anything, so keeping my things in their designated homes keeps me calm and feeling organized. Thanks for all your wonderfully helpful ideas and hints!

* I have only one closet in my whole little one-bedroom house! So that is prime real estate in itself! So I purchased a wooden coat rack to go by the front door. There I hang my umbrella, the retracting dog leash and her sweater. I hang a bag to collect items that go to my family, plus the various coats/jackets that I need for the current season. Underneath one of the coats, on its own hook, I hang my purse. This works great for me and my little house.

* I keep my purse in a Thirty-One utility tote next to my armoire in my bedroom, tucked into the corner. I also store a few other totes that I may use daily there. When I get home, I am in the habit of putting my purse away immediately.

* I put Command Hooks up in the hall closet for my daughter's and husband's backpacks and my purse. This way, we all have a place to put what we use every day. It is easy to find and grab when I get my shoes and jacket for work. I keep these all in the hall closet. It's not big, but I keep it all organized and easy to find what we need for each season.

* I put my purse in the bedroom every night near my nightstand. I used to leave it anywhere I dropped it. This was really a problem for my husband who ran around every morning to try and find it. He suggested I leave it in the bedroom. Good idea and less stress for both of us.

* My purse is always on a pony wall/half wall between my breakfast area and a long hall that leads to several rooms, so I use this location to gather everything I need for my daily events. I start the evening before and when I need to leave the house, everything is in one spot. This could be a table by the door or a bag attached to the doorknob near the exit used most, but for my family they know it is always 'on the divider.'

* I always put my purse in roughly the same place when I come into the house. It is usually next to my work bag. It is small enough to fit in my work bag, but it is available when I just need to use it.

* I put a 3M Command hanger behind my bedroom door on the wall and hang it there.

* I hang my purse on the bedroom closet doorknob.

* I hang my purse on the closet doorknob.

* I use the same purse all of the time (except for fancy things like weddings). Years ago I found a purse with all the pockets I need that is a crossbody. I bought an extra one and when the first wore out, I used the new one and bought another so I had a new one on hand. I never use another purse. I clean it out of unnecessary stuff every night. I have a dining room closet for coats, etc. with hooks on the door. And that's where the purse hangs when I'm home. It's simple and easy for me and now it's second nature. I look at my purse as a convenience that needs to look okay and I am definitely not fashionable or looking at designer stuff. So this really works for me.

* I assume by purse you mean what we Brits would call a handbag. I used to keep mine in my hallway on top of a small drawer unit so it was ready to be taken if I was going out. However, following some advice from the police regarding burglaries I now keep it out of the way upstairs in my bedroom along with my car keys. Opportunist thieves like to grab what they can easily so putting these out of the way upstairs is a good idea.

* I have a long dresser and I keep my purse on the end, which is right by the bedroom door. Been doing this for 36 years, so I guess it works for me...LOL

* I keep my purse in two places...not at the same time, of course! While at my desk during the day, I place it on the shelf by my desk with my cell phone handily leaning against it. When it's time to go out, I then will not forget to take my phone. I also like having my purse by my desk because there my credit and debit cards are handy for making purchases online. At night, I feel more secure keeping my purse by my bedside. That way, since I live in an area with high fire danger and occasional earthquakes, in an emergency I can just grab my purse and go, and my phone which is kept in my purse is ever ready for accessing any emergency alerts as occur. Thank you for all the helpful tips you've been sharing with us.

* It's probably not a good idea, but I either put it on the credenza in the living room, or now with Covid, on the floor by the entrance to my condo next to my flip flops which I started changing into as I walk in since Covid. I figure it can disinfect itself sitting there by the door and not track Covid too far into the condo.

* I always put my purse on a chair in the living room, since I usually put a bunch of things in there every day.

* Where do I put my purse? Near the door! And always in the same place. I live alone so it is easier to leave things somewhere and find them later in that same place! Since the lockdown, I don't carry as much when I go out, and when I return home, I put my smaller-than-usual purse in an otherwise-unused section of my kitchen counter along with my keys. This area is near the door and that makes it easy for me to collect and remember to bring whatever items I need with me for my next trip (mask, gloves etc!)

* Response to where I put my purse. On the hooks in my entryway where I hang our jackets. Or I have over-the-door hooks in my pantry that I hang my lunch sacks, so. I hang it there next to my lunch.

* About where I keep my purse--my bedroom is on the second floor, so I don't want to keep it upstairs. I have a hook on the back of my mudroom door, so I like to hang it there. Very handy, yet hidden from the rest of the house.

* I have a specially designed area in my built-in shelving for charging phones and tablets, and I keep my purse there, with my phone charging in my purse where I can forget neither the next morning.

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'I reached between the seats to the backseat, where her purse was on the floor. It was the size of a grocery bag and it weighed a ton.' 'What the hell do you have in this thing?' 'Everything.' 'I didn't ask for further explanation. I managed to pull the bag up to the front seat, open it, and find her iPad. I put the bag on the floor between my feet, lest I pull a muscle leveraging it into the back again.' --Michael Connelly, The Gods of Guilt

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