Car Organization aka. Organizing “Taloulah”
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Like our homes, our cars can be like our “home away from home”, if we organize it for what we need. Car organization is key to making our busy lives on-the-go run smoothly.We had our last snow storm here in April. I couldn’t wait to get “Taloulah”, my 2017 Hyundai Tucson, in to have her winter tires removed and then get her detailed. Even though I had plastic floor mats, salt stains got all around the edges and of course there was the usual dirt and grime. Taloulah was purchased last June and I immediately organized all the compartments and trunk bin with items I thought I would need. Since then I’ve had time to see what worked, what was useful and what wasn’t necessary.
Car Trunk Organization...
1)A trunk organizer keeps things contained for emergencies and things not needed every day.
- Blankets (for picnics or emergencies)
- First aid kit with flares and extra emergency blanket
- Fluorescent safety vest
- Paper towels and wipes.
- Rope and bungee cords.
- Shopping bags
- Maps
- Water bottle for cleaning
- Bleacher cushion
- Tool kit and tape measure (frequently needed for reno projects and property maintenance, and occasionally for emergencies)
2)A knapsack contains clothes and other items needed for unplanned messes or overnight stays. (When I had a minor flood in the basement of a rental property, having a pair of clean, dry shoes came in handy!) It also contains emergency drinking water and snacks if I happen to get stuck in the middle of nowhere.
3)In the winter I add an ice scraper and snow brush and a snow shovel.
Front Console Car Organization:
1)Keep things handy that you may need on a regular basis and organize them in “cosmetic” cases from the dollar store and label them.
- Personal items like a mini hairbrush, dental floss, nail clippers, lip balm,etc.
- Medical items like a first aid kit, alcohol pads, etc.
- Tech items like charger cables, ear buds, blue tooth, etc.
- Miscellaneous items like coupons, napkins, a pen
2) I keep some gum, a mini flashlight, and a shopping cart disc in the top tray.
3) Re-purpose an empty gum container for spare change.
Other Compartment Organization:
All the glove compartment holds is the owner’s manual, a notebook and pen,a fuel calculator, the GPS and another mini flashlight.
What car organization needs do you have?
Everyone has different needs for their home on wheels.
- If you have young children you may need some toys to keep them occupied on long trips, snacks, or wipes for sticky hands.
- Sports minded people may need to take equipment, camp chairs or extra blankets for watching the game.
- Some may have special medical needs such as an oxygen tank, a wheelchair or an Epipen (although that should not be stored in the car with extreme temperature changes.)
- Students will have to have a place to put their papers and books.
- Your job may require extra clothing or equipment.
- If you have a pet, you may need a carseat for them, extra leashes or poop bags.
- Maybe you just use your car to go shopping and need a place to store bags.
What if there is an emergency?
A true emergency would be a situation that poses an immediate risk to your life, health or property.
- A car accident is the most obvious and there isn’t much you can do to truly prepare, although having a basic first aid kit is handy for many situations.
- A car breakdown or flat tire is more common and even if you have a membership to an automobile association like CAA or AAA they might not be available to assist you in a timely manner. You should have the basic tools on hand. Keep a jack, wheel locks if you need them, basic sockets or wrenches and of course a spare tire.
I’ve only had to change a tire three times in my life. Twice I had barely got started when some nice guy stopped and ended up doing it for me. The third time I was on a dark highway and was not so lucky. I was grateful that my dad had showed me how to change a tire when I first learned how to drive because no one stopped to help until I was done.
Of course there are other “emergencies” that come up that are more or less inconveniences.
- Spilling coffee on your shirt on your way to work.
- Getting stuck in traffic.
- Getting something stuck in your teeth or…
- Breaking a nail. (Yes…Some people think that’s an emergency.)
- Getting caught in the rain
The best car organization is one that works for you. If you do nothing else, you should always make sure you have a cell phone with you in the car to get you assistance for a true emergency. Have a great day and be organized and safe.
You can watch the car organization video below...
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2 Comments
Dave L
Very informative. I will definately try them tips.
Carole
Thanks. Let me know how they work out.