An Organized Car

Does that sound like a fictional novel or an independent film title? Your car does not have to look like a closet, snack bar or office on wheels. There are so many organizational items for cars being sold today it is crazy! Really, you could buy them all and still have a disaster car if you don’t have a system of order to begin with. So, this is a list of tips and tools that work for me (if they work for me they will work for you). Believe!!

First of all, this is a list of must have items for EVERY car:

Tissues, wet wipes, first aid kit, sunblock (soccer), bug spray, glass cleaner (smudges on sunglasses…boo), chapstick, Advil, hand sanitizer, gum, granola bars, napkins and straws. This might seem extreme, but it is such a GOOD feeling to be READY FOR ANYTHING!

Next, is staying organized!

This Case Logic Back Seat Organizer is a life saver for today’s families, who spend hours and days (or so it seems) driving from one activity to another. This is a great place to keep granola bars, water bottles, books and any other goodies your kids need close at hand and clearly visible!

I should also mention it makes you a much better driver…you can actually focus on the road and not the traveling restaurant you were once forced to run!!

Most adults can do a pretty good job of staying clean, but kids know just how to destroy a car in 30 seconds! So, the key word is MAINTAIN. At the end of each day, when you come home everyone must take their “stuff” out and put it where it belongs. I can be a bit over the top, but I have a dustbuster in the garage and vacuum the car every other day (seems to be the magic number for crumb accumulation).

The Mountainsmith Modular Hauler is a great way to keep items you do not use regularly in the trunk of your car. An example of how this can come in handy is having a change of clothes for kids, to avoid frustration and to be prepared for food spills or after school activity outings.

Folding Seats and Blankets are another essential for a family involved in many activities and sports. There are so many mornings you walk out the door and think you have everything, but wait….ouch! You are standing in the cold for an hour on a wet soccer field shivering (I know the feeling).

Now that you are ready for anything you can not forget the potential emergencies that could stand in your way. While the world is getting smaller by the day, it can feel HUGE if you are stranded in the middle of nowhere!

Emergency Kits are essential and you can make your own or purchase one from www.beprepared.com. Items that you should always have in an emergency kit are: jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, fix-a-flat, reflective safety vest, roadside reflectors, flashlight, batteries, auto escape hammer, cat litter or sand for traction, and flares.