What's in your work bag?

A number of years ago, Lifehacker ran a series documenting what items were carried in your bag. As part of this series, I developed a firm appreciation for minimalism but also for utilitarianism. While I could carry an iPad, Laptop, two chargers, a book, a notebook, and lunch not all of those things were necessary for my daily commute.

The piece that stuck with me as you can guess from the photo, one item I always keep in my bag is my trusty Penguin Mint/tool kit. The mints are long gone, but this is my safety kit, should I need something in a relative emergency. So what's in here:

1. Headphones: a must for avoiding contact or when you want a hands-free conversation on your phone. 
• Key Features: 
• Corded work best, since you don't have to recharge
• Doesn't everyone have a set of Ear Pods in a drawer, keep them with you. 
2. USB Stick: Never know when you are going to have transfer files the "Old Fashioned way". 
• Key features: 
• Use your mobile phone number as the volume name, so if you lose it, they can contact you. 
• I keep a resume on here too, just in case. 
3. Micro-2-USB: for recharging your battery pack. 
4. Microfiber cloth: clean your glasses or your laptop screen
• Key features: 
• Ugh. fingerprints on your screen?

Other items to consider in for your own personal toolkit:

• Lip balm (if that's your thing)
• Fingernail clippers (may or may not be TSA approved)
• Small sewing kit, for those lost buttons. 
• Money, for emergency coffee, beer, or food. 

Side note: I've been very happy with my Timbuk2 messenger bag. I've had it for about 8 years, and it still looks brand new from the outside. On the inside, all the zippers and velcro still work as well as they did on Day 1; I've added some coffee stains to mark it as my own.