Purses, briefcases, and backpacks seem to get bigger by the year, and the larger they get, the more stuff we're able to cram into them. Though it can be nice to be able to haul everything we might need each day in one bag, overstuffed totes can be a pain in the neck--and a pain in the back. When there's too much stuff in the bag you use each day, it can be hard to find what you need, and the weight of the bag can quickly become too much to carry comfortably. And a crammed-to-the-hilt wallet (think George Costanza in Seinfeld) may not cause physical pain, but it can still cause frustration.

This week, give your back a break and make everyday tasks easier by giving your purse, briefcase, or backpack, as well as your wallet, some organizing attention.

Weed, weed, weed
Get things underway by emptying the contents of your bag (yes, all of the contents) onto a clear surface so you can do some sorting and weeding. Toss anything that's obviously junk, such as gum wrappers and crumpled tissues, and recycle any papers you no longer need. Next, lay out everything that remains.

For each item, ask yourself if it's something you use on a regular basis or something you need to have handy every day; if it's not, there's a good chance it doesn't deserve a spot in your bag. If the item represents something you need to do--a book to return to the library, for example, or an appointment reminder card from your dentist--make a note of the task on your To Do list and put the item in a spot where it'll be easy to access when you're ready to do the task, rather than directly back into your bag.

Look for ways to minimize
Next, take another look at the things you've decided are essential to have in your bag and consider ways of minimizing them. For example, if you tend to carry a full makeup kit in your purse, you might choose a few supplies--those you're most likely to use when you're away from the house--and pack them in a smaller case, or opt for trial-size versions of your favorites. The same holds for things like books or magazines: unless you're traveling, you probably don't need more than one piece of reading material with you at any one time, and limiting yourself to one at a pop will save both room and weight in your bag.

Tackle your wallet
Once you've slimmed down your bag, turn your attention to your wallet. Follow the same steps you did with your bag: first, get rid of trash (receipts you don't need, business cards for people you can't recall meeting, unneeded scraps of paper); next, reconsider what you're carrying around with you and pull out anything you don't need or use on a regular basis; and, finally, minimize where possible--switch to key-fob cards for store clubs or other memberships, for example, and get rid of the full-size wallet cards.

Reorganize
Finally, as you re-stock your bag and wallet, try using a few simple tools to bring order. Keep small things such as pens, mints, or gum from getting lost in the bottom of your bag by corralling them in small pouches. If you carry a purse, consider a purse organizer , which has pockets for stashing things like a cell phone, keys, and sunglasses (and which you can easily move from one bag to another). Many bags also come with built-in pockets and pouches, which can be handy for keeping things neat and easy to access.

When everything is in order, keep it that way by taking a few minutes each week to do a quick bag clean-out, removing anything you no longer need. And once or twice a year, do a bag audit to reconsider the stuff you carry with you, making sure to keep only the things you truly need and use.

Here's to a weight off your shoulders!