Handbags are absolutely necessary but not everything in them is... unless you plan on opening a pen shop and can make restaurants accept out-of-date vouchers. Here are 10 things that you don't REALLY need in your handbag.

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  1. Chocolate wrappers There is no excuse to have old chocolate wrappers in your bag (except when there’s still half a bar in there). 2. Receipts It’s been a year. You can no longer return the item. Throw out the receipt. 3. Out-of-date vouchers It’s been a year. It’s no longer valid. Throw out the voucher. 4. Sunglasses Only useful for about two weeks. We do live in Ireland. 5. Your entire make-up bag A few bits and pieces always come in handy but are you really going to apply ultra thin eye liner and dry shampoo your hair while you’re rushing to that meeting? Didn’t think so. 6. Three notebooks One is enough. 7. Ten pens Nine of them don’t work and you can never find the other when you really need it. 8. THE key You know, the one that you’ve never found the purpose for but are too afraid to leave in the house in case you need it. 9. A broken umbrella What is the point? You’re going to get drenched regardless. 10. A smaller bag We’re not talking about shopping bags (those ARE necessary), we’re talking about the tiny bag that holds those few items that you might need but never use.