Tips for Stocking Your Car in Abilene

I’m committed to an uncluttered car. I was a stereotyped mom with young kids messy car for so long, that I am now fanatical about keeping my car passenger ready at all times. I want to be able to lift my purse off the front seat and give a friend a ride, rather than have to gather up mail and wrappers and multiple bags, all while apologizing. Yet I still want to be prepared when the inevitable inevitably strikes! There ARE some things I definitely keep in the car at all times!

A glove box organizer. I LOVE mine. It’s slim, it’s organized, and it assures me that I have all the proper paperwork I need at all times!

A charger. I actually have several chargers - one in the front and one in the back, and another tucked into the glove box.

A place for garbage. I had to experiment before I found the right receptacle. I wanted it to be spill proof, steady enough not to tip, and big enough to hold a coffee cup.

First Aid Kit. At minimum, I have band aids, pain relief, Benadryl, and a cold pack. I also have an empty, hole free plastic bag in this kit, just in case car sickness arises. I have found that the least helpful place for this kit to be is the trunk, so I keep it in the backseat console.

Flashlight. Yes, you have one on your phone. But sometimes you need one with a little more power, or that you can use separately.

Duct Tape. It can fix nearly ANYTHING - at least temporarily.

Spare Shoes. This sounds bizarre, but after we were rear ended on our way home from a wedding and I spent a crazy amount of time on the side of the road wearing high heels, and I’ve been keeping a pair of flip flops in the car ever since. They also came in handy after getting caught in a horrific rainstorm that completely saturated my sneakers. Tuck them in the trunk. It’s worth it.

A multi tool. My kids are totally obsessed with watching me solve multiple problems with this thing. It cost me under $10, it takes up almost no room, and it saves the day.

A towel. Yes, fast food napkins have their place, but I keep an old towel in the trunk and I’ve lost count of how often I use it.

No, that isn’t everything I have in the car. I still keep a small stash of straws and forks, I have a pouch with crayons and paper, and I can’t go anywhere without mints or gum. But these nine things are crucial to me, no matter how uncluttered I keep the car!