I'm trying to make an effort to keep my car uncluttered, while still having everything I need. I like being prepared for everything, but I also don't want to feel like I'm drowning in stuff. Finding the right amount of "stuff" to keep in the car is a delicate balance. A great test for us was having a rental car for a month. I put almost nothing in it. If I missed it, I wrote it down. If I didn't, I knew we didn't need to put it back in the car.
Here's what I've found are the essentials (for a family with elementary kids):
- Multitool: I love my multitool. It has a pretty much everything I'd need for every situation - screwdriver, pocketknife, scissors, opener. It takes up close to no room, and when I don't have it, I miss it.
- Spare Outfits - for kids and adults: I pack a full outfit for each of my kids (pants, underwear, socks and shirt) and a spare top for myself. While the chances are small I'll need a full outfit change, dealing with a carsick child or a big spill may require a new shirt.
- First Aid Kit: Band Aids are obvious, but we found that painkillers for kids and adults, Benadryl, Neosporin, hand sanitizer, and alcohol wipes are also important.
- Emergency Supplies - Jumper Cables, Flashlight: I used to keep fluids in my old car, but that car needed oil frequently. Now that I'm in an "issue free" car, I don't stress about having those things with me on a day to day basis. They take up a lot of space and I've found that I'm more comfortable calling for help when I need it.
- Plastic Bags: for wet things, trash, car sickness - they're a great multitasker.
- Candy/Gum: Essential? Maybe, maybe not. But I keep mint gum and tart hard candies in the car, and these both help hold off munchies, and keep car sickness at bay.
- Cleaning Tools - wipes (for people and things!), paper towels: I have three inexpensive towels to mop up spills, and I just throw them in the wash when they need it.
- "Kid" stuff: I call this anything that my kids ask for on a regular basis "Mom, do you have …" This usually includes straws, plastic cutlery, hair ties, napkins.
- Chargers: I always have at least one spare with us at all time.
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