For formal occasions a few nights a week, I always carry a custom leather case which contains a Moleskine Volant and my business cards. But during the day, I work a blue collar job in jeans and a monogrammed shirt. When I started recently, I was given a 3×5 flip-top notebook from Officemax to write some passwords in. Low and behold, months later I’m still loving this cheap little notebook and find myself using it on long shifts. After the first one filled, I went out and bought a ten-pack in assorted colors.

I’m now looking to build a small, light-duty kit around this style of notebook. While my little leather folio will stick around for formal nights, I need a beater kit when I need things written down, drawn, or simply need office tools while I’m moving about at work or while traveling. I may even look into a way to keep it secure in my car because it’d be that handy on long trips. I’ve been made aware of the Maxpedition 3×5 cover, and it seems perfect. However, it’s a tad pricey, and a bit tough to find online for sale. I’d also have to try and find a fun morale patch for the front, which is an ordeal within itself.

What items are easily carried in such a pouch like this? What are some handy notary tools I’ve never thought of? Are there some must-have alternative writing tools?