Is there a trick to juggling stick, purse, bag and glasses when shopping?

teabagwoman

Could you use a bumbag, just pull it round to the front of you?
Look up 'eyeglass holder pin' it's like the back of a brooch/badge that attaches by magnets to your clothes to hold onto your glasses while not in use. Or maybe you could find a brooch pin big enough to use.

Franbern I’m glad your shopping trip went well. Unfortunately the shops I need to use are too small to have trolleys etc. Makeshift barriers to keep distance between customers and staff don’t help when paying either. However some good ideas have come up here and I’m very grateful. I have a plan and, when I’ve tried it out I’ll report back.

For the first time ever, I did my weeks supermarket shop by bus this week. (Have got rid of my car and not really overkeen on on-line delivered shop)
I have a large shopping trolley which can be pushed as well as pulled. Place in the side of that where my folded up walking stick can go.
At the supermarket, I was able to place my shopper into the the trolley there, (wheels outside of that), and I used my own, separate, shopping bags to put all items in and used the supermarket zapper, so that no need to take out again at checkout.
I have a lovely fleece jacket, with zipped pockets outside and roomy internal pockets. My bus pass, shopping list and £1 coin was in one zipped pocket. My keys in the othe, one internal pocket had my phone in which I carry my cards, and a small amount of paper cash. In the other a couple of face masks and my reading glasses.
It all worked easily and comfortably. When I replaced the trolley outside I then placed my shopping bags inside my own wheeled trolley ready to go to the bus stop.
In fact, it was easier than when I used to go by car, and whilst waiting for the bus I sat and read the free newspaper I picked up on my journey there.
I am fortunate in that the bus stops (both side of the road) are just outside my flats.

I keep my purse in the inside pocket of my coat or jacket - it is safer from pick-pockets there than in a handbag.

Take your time changing your glasses, or simply have the ones you need to see change etc. round your neck.

If you want to pay with coins and can't see them properly, ask the cash-desk worker to help. Hold out a handful of coins and say that you can't see them clearly.

If your stick tends to slip off your wrist, get someone to shorten the strap, or alternatively get into the habit of always using a supermarket trolley and lay your stick in it. If that is, you don't need the stick if you have the support of the trolley.

If possible shop at times of the day where the shop is not busy - you will feel less stress and probably not drop things as much!

lemongrove

Alternatively....take a husband/ partner/ toyboy and get him to follow you around and carry things at the checkout.

That's definitely the best idea on here, lemon.
Make it the toy boy, OP, he'll be younger and fitter (in both senses) and so will be able to follow you around without moaning about being tired/legs aching/feet hurt etc.

I stick my reading glasses on my head , they can’t have those fiddly nose bits that stick out as they get tangled up in my hair, but it’s one less thing to juggle.
I have my debit card in my phone case in my pocket and no handbag.

Lots of things to think about, thank you all. I usually go into small shops that don’t have trolleys but am wondering about borrowing a shopping trolley and standing my stick in that. Will definitely rely on pockets more and forward planning.

Have you tried using a folding walking stick?

Alternatively....take a husband/ partner/ toyboy and get him to follow you around and carry things at the checkout.

Charleygirl5

Do not put everything in your bag and or purse. I put my door keys in a pocket and also my debit card in case my bag is stolen.

Scones this lady uses a white stick and they do not come with prongs.

I use an ordinary stick and I also am partially sighted but I do sort everything out when I am in the queue waiting so I am not fiddling at the till. I fold my glasses into the neck of my jumper so they are easy to find. I do not need my stick in a supermarket because the trolley acts like one. When I do I place the stick in the trolley. I frequently put everything into my trolley and after I have paid then find a quieter spot to bag everything. Most will supply you with a packer so that you can then concentrate on paying. Organisation is the key.

Really good ideas here.?

I find my walking stick can cause problems when it's not actually helping me walk. It won't stand up on it's own, lean against anything or hang off a ledge, if it's dangling off my wrist it gets between my legs and I lose my balance. I have to put it down somewhere and that's often the shop counter. I usually go into small shops, chemist, greengrocery etc so don't have a trolley

I only take the purse and sometimes only a fiver if I'm going for coffee.

Lots of good ideas here and I would add "don't panic" if you find you are fumbling a bit at the till.
Use an old lady chain round your neck for your specs so you know where they are

I find getting flustered if I'm in a queue and trying to juggle too many items makes me anxious and I become clumsy (more clumsy than usual).
Someone behind you may tut but that is their problem, not yours. Most people would pick up your stick for you if you dropped it.

If your card is contactless you could cut out the glasses.
As people have said, card in deep pocket ( you never know who’s looking ?) whip it out, tap screen, back in pocket.

I also get in a mess when paying for goods even though I wear a cross body bag with pockets for cards etc. My walking stick has a wrist strap but even if I use it, the dangling stick still gets in the way. I frequently lean it up on the counter then it falls over with a loud bang and I have to stop what I’m doing to pick it up.

I find the only answer is a mix of forward planning and not rushing. I try to remember to put my credit card in my pocket ready to grab without needing to open my bag.

I also drop my stick when I lean it up to look at goods, or reach for them off the shelf, I really am clumsy! I once got tangled up with my stick in the bathroom doorway, fell over it and ended up stranded on the floor like a beached whale! I had to roll over to reach the basin to pull myself up and was bruised for days.

I can put my stick in the trolly but after if I’ve walked too far around the aisles, I have to use it for pain relief and then push the trolly with one hand.

In reality I rarely go in shops anymore, most of my shopping is done online and I use click and collect for groceries.

I always use a cross body bag and mostly have my hand on the bag so feel quite safe. I can't have bifocals as my reading sight is too poor so that is not always an answer. I carry my reading glasses in my hand for checking prices. I don't need them at the till as most purchases are contactless now and I remember the layout of the pin pad to key in if needed.
I also have prescription sunglasses in my bag as some shops are too glary.
These days my biggest issue is glasses steaming up with a mask on.
I agree with Charleygirl that the best answer with a stick is to use a trolley.

Take your time too. Nothing so stressful for one as rushing. You don't exist to keep out of other peoples' way - they'll wait.

Thank you Scones I’m going to paste that on the inside flap of my purse.

I have half glasses that I can wear on the end of my nose but have to hang them round my neck when out. I have very little peripheral vision so have to look down to avoid tripping over things and the reading lense is then in the way. I’m sure there are simple solutions but I’m feeling very frustrated at the moment and finding it hard to be the one people have to help when I’ve always been the helper. Told myself I would be sensible about it but it’s not working out that way

Do not put everything in your bag and or purse. I put my door keys in a pocket and also my debit card in case my bag is stolen.

Scones this lady uses a white stick and they do not come with prongs.

I use an ordinary stick and I also am partially sighted but I do sort everything out when I am in the queue waiting so I am not fiddling at the till. I fold my glasses into the neck of my jumper so they are easy to find. I do not need my stick in a supermarket because the trolley acts like one. When I do I place the stick in the trolley. I frequently put everything into my trolley and after I have paid then find a quieter spot to bag everything. Most will supply you with a packer so that you can then concentrate on paying. Organisation is the key.

How about a shoulder bag that you can wear across your body like a satchel so you don't have to carry a hand bag. If it had a zip up pocket in the front you could keep your card and change in there so no more rummaging in a bag for your purse.

Glasses on a cord around your neck mean that you've only your stick to worry about and you have that on a wrist strap. Also, you can get sticks which will stand up on their own on a kind of stand thing. That way it you can leave it to its own devices while you get your money sorted.

Take your time too. Nothing so stressful for one as rushing. You don't exist to keep out of other peoples' way - they'll wait.

Could you get glasses you can keep on, ie bi focals with plain glass at the top, and reading lenses in the bottom? That would make one less thing to cope with.
When I go to the small supermarket across the road, I don't take a handbag. I wear a coat with deep pockets, and just take my keys, debit card, shopping list, and £1 coin for the trolley. It is easy to get the card out to pay, then slip it back in the pocket.
I can’t advise on the stick. I often wonder how people manage with a shopping trolley as well as the supermarket trolley though.