Comments on: A Tour of My Messenger Bag

By: 1WineDude

1WineDude — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:02:59 +0000

Holy crap! Another Calvino fan! I **knew** I liked you! :-)

By: Perry

Perry — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:17:03 +0000

I carry a small Swiss Army style knife (it’s not Swiss Army) that I got at a flea market in Germany for 5 euros. I like it a lot, especially because it is old and worn from much use. I wonder about whoever owned it before me. On more than one occasion I’ve been glad to have the cork screw. I just wish it had a Philips head as well as a standard screw driver.

Trent,
Where did you get the old laptop? I’d like to have an older with Linux loaded, but it haven’t been able to find one for the right price with the right hardware.

By: Benton

Benton — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:45:13 +0000

You might want to look into a Gerber multi-tool before you spring for the new Leatherman. I have had both for quite a few years and I much prefer the Gerber because it only takes one hand to open and close. Here is the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-05500-MP400-Compact-Multi-function/dp/B00004TR4S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1240835537&sr=1-2

By: Hello

Hello — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:23:22 +0000

You could get rid of the Nintndo DS and use your iPod Touch instead. Loads of (mostly free) games available.

By: Josh Moore

Josh Moore — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:39:20 +0000

Great post!

I wrote a similar post not to long ago about the tools I use for completing my work as an entrepreneur. I personally find the lighter I travel the less stressed I feel, and the more flexible in location I become.

My messenger bag comes with me interstate, to the city, to friends houses, etc. and is definitely my portable office (and sometimes more).

The only thing I would like to have is a longer battery life. With all the travel I do three hours per charge does not seem to cut it these days. Maybe something to worry about in the future.

By: Another Dave

Another Dave — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 22:26:00 +0000

Scary how similar our daypacks are. I carry a few more things like Motorcycle Riding accessories (eye protection, earphones, Liscense/insurance, gloves) and I carry my Wave because I do Electrical/Mechanical work. I have a 10year old LLBean backpack that has done more miles than I can count. I also have a Broadband Access card for my laptop.

By: michael bash

michael bash — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:28:02 +0000

“… in it’s typical place by the door ….” It’s good you state often that you’re working on your writing. The bit above shows you’ve got a ways to go. A simple approach might be to read what you write before you publish it to the world. You’ll be surprised what you can find and correct.

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:11:16 +0000

Two great additions to your bag would be a reusable Sigg water bottle and a commuter coffee cup – assuming your drink water or coffee away from home.

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:45:46 +0000

Wow. This is great timing. I just got a Timbuk2 bag for my NEW job. A great start! Thanks.

By: Amy B.

Amy B. — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:40:55 +0000

How do you use your iPod touch to take voice notes? I’m not carrying my recorder any more, and I miss it.

By: Traci

Traci — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:39:39 +0000

I use a similar “mobile office” approach, but I use a rolling leather briefcase. This has made my back pain virtually go away. I got a beautiful leather one made my Franklin Covey on ebay for a fraction of original cost. I have been using it for three years…cost per use = $.10 day as of today.

And, because I’m a girl and I have a kid, I have a purse, too. It has a band across the back of it that slides over the telescoping handle of the rolling bag so that I don’t have to have the purse on my shoulder. Very handy on the bus!

My only complaint: Nobody that makes rolling bags seems to realize that we also carry coffee mugs and/or a thermos for coffee. We need a side pocket for that!

Loving Simple Dollar!

By: LaptopBags

LaptopBags — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:25:46 +0000

Wow. Thanks for the post. I could definitely downsize a bit too!

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:01:40 +0000

Years ago I read an article about the “5 Minute” bag to be stored by the door when you left for the day. It contained things you could complete in a few minutes while you were waiting. It has reduced the amount of time sorting, fixing, reviewing, replying, purchasing online, birthday cards, etc. at home or at work.
I have always carried an extra car key in my wallet.

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:53:19 +0000

I have carried a Swiss Army knife for years. When I was a school nurse, one day in the 4th grade I used it to enlarge the holes in a cardboard display piece. A boy in the class was quite offended: “Girls can’t have pocket knives!” That was then…by now he has grown to manhood and presumably has learned better.

By: Lou Lou

Lou Lou — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:41:39 +0000

Wow, thanks so much for a look into your organization. It reminded me that my main carry bag is a disaster right now and that this weekend it will be on the top of my list to clean out and reorganize.

I must say though that your bag, with all the books and magazines, must be a bit on the heavy side.

By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad

DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:23:10 +0000

Nice post. I am working on a post of my Every Day Carry (EDC). I am a keychain, pen, and mini gadget nut. I don’t like to carry anything, and prefer things that go in my pockets . . .

If you haven’t seen it- check out http://www.edcforums.com

I just discovered this EDC site a few weeks ago, and I am glad I am not the only keychain and mini gadget nut.

By: Jacinta

Jacinta — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:59:43 +0000

My daily carry bag (although as I also work from home this isn’t a *work* bag per se) contains:

* a 500mL water bottle (washed regularly and always filled before I leave the house)
* a folded up hat
* (in summer) a 30mL tube of sunscreen
* a notebook
* some pens
* business cards
* hand-wash/disinfectant solution
* a small packet of tissues

I keep this ready for me at the front door for when I have to go out. I usually add a book or such on my way out. Similar ideas, but a slightly different focus. When I go out, there’s a very good chance I’m going to spend at least 10 minutes walking in the sun. I don’t burn easily, but I’d rather not burn at all. I also don’t like to waste my money on buying drinks when our local tap water is both safe and pleasant to drink (where this doesn’t hold, I buy water).

By: Early Retirement Extreme

Early Retirement Extreme — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 06:52:31 +0000

I used to carry a spartan, which incidentally is the default SAK in supermarkets in Switzerland, where I picked up a bunch of them, and one of the small pen sized maglights (a red one obviously). These days I carry a leatherman squirt S4 and I replaced the maglight with a white photon light (this combo is quite small). For longer trips, I bring the spartan which is hooked up to a delta windmill lighter. I also pack a small first aid kit. The Flair is pretty spiffy (I have one), but also a bit weird :O). Leatherman stopped making them. Some day I’m gonna get myself a Sebenza, … some day.

By: Alpha Raye

Alpha Raye — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:43:21 +0000

Wow! That’s exciting that you got a Timbuk2 bag for FREE, and a laptop nevertheless.

I have spent good money on 2 bags from them and I don’t regret either purchase. I got my laptop bag for a graduation present, best $100 ever spent! It’s a Hacker converter bag from messenger to backpack if I need it and plenty of space for all my personal stuff and art supplies!

I also snagged a smaller messenger bag a few months later, at an extremely good deal. It’s my go everywhere art bag, for when I DON’T need the laptop!

Awesome to see someone share what they carry!

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:26:51 +0000

Hi Trent,

I just wondered – how long do you hold onto your magazines? I’ve literally spent thousands of dollars on magazines over the years (bad addiction, I suppose), but then find it difficult to get rid of them.

Do you ever struggle with the “I might need this someday” issue?