Many of the things have been covered so I'll try to avoid duplicates. But another caution: $20 will buy jumper cables good for Texas or Arizona, but not for Minnesota or North Dakota. You'll spend 2-3 times that for a decent set worthy of carrying around here. Check the gauge of the wire and the clamps. Buy from a reputable place, not a discount department store, if you want a good set. Another caution is a cell phone is a good idea but will do you no good without power. Always buy a car adapter and keep it in the vehicle. "Emergency" cell phones, won't be maintained so they won't be charged. Without a charger you stand no chance of using it. Also, be sure to check coverage. Why get one that won't have coverage when you need it? Also, if you need to repair a hose, don't go for the duct tape right away. Electrical tape will seal the hole better. Duct tape won't. Wrap it well with electrical tape and *then* give a wrap of the silver miracle. The grey gold will keep the electrical tape in place better and seal itself better. I always used a coffee can and put a roll of toilet paper in a plastic bag, double bagged, actually. Also had some matches and some large heavy duty garbage bags. A garbage bag will be a one-size-fits-most for a rain poncho, and have numerous other uses. People who use eyeglasses should keep an extra pair in the vehicle, especially if your license requires you to wear them while driving. I always keep water in the vehicle. Sure it freezes in the winter but the small bottles thaw quickly. I also keep aspirin, antacids and the like so I don't have to buy them at outrageous prices if needed. I just take a small bottle and keep a few in there. A roll of paper towels cut in half fits nicely in a coffee can and gives you an alternative to the toilet paper and gives you some ready napkins and something to use to clean up those accidents. Put the garbage bags in there and I like a few wet wipes. Tow chain or a tow strap. Takes little room. Oh, I use the crank flashlights. No need to worry about batteries. I usually like to carry a gallon of window wash fluid (de-icer in the winter) and a gallon of antifreeze. If you break a hose you can get the radiator filled. Dump in the antifreeze and it can get you going to a place to add some water. Or if your near a water source, even a lake, stream or ditch, you have a container for the water. Clothes appropriate for the climate. And a comealong winch is a good idea too. Can extend the reach of the tow strap and you can winch yourself out of a bad spot. And I believe in keeping some cash, including change, in the vehicle. Pay phones used to be a big reason but that's more obsolete now but if you have to buy some gas, or bandages or something, you might find a few dollars handy. Nobody's saying you should carry everything everyone has suggested. Very few people would find a gas wrench useful - most wouldn't know how to use it. So you use it for ideas. Modify it. There is no all-inclusive list that will work for everyone. Some things you would take on a trip but not leave in there all the time. Some things should be in there. Minnesota requires you to carry proof of insurance. I keep one card in my wallet and one in the vehicle. Belt and suspenders I suppose. I still haven't gotten around to stocking my "new" vehicle yet. But probably have most of it in there. When the weather gets nicer I'll clean it out and check inventory against my checklist.

Hi Kathy, you signed off after my comment so it appears that I offended you, although it was not my intention. I am always defending other posters who receive rude comments about their home or taste so to offend someone else is not in my nature. I will say that if one chooses to post here, they do open themselves up to opinions that they may not agree with and maybe thicker skin is something to think about? I will explain myself further, my comment was out of legitimate concern for your daughter. My experience was with my 19 yr old niece who is a freshman in college this year. She is sharing a bathroom with strange girls for the first time and they can be brutal when someone does anything slightly different. My niece clogged the toilet during the first week of school and she is still hearing the names and mean comments. Girls that age call each other out and form cliques over the smallest things, when in fact they should be supporting one another. Anyway, just wanted to explain as I probably should have done initially.

As someone who has done this before, I’d recommend hiring it out, because it can be dangerous. However, if you insist on diy: get tarps, tape the mirror with masking tape (regular tan tape is fine), wear eye protection and heavy duty gloves. Try prying behind the edges slowly with a pry bar. Sometimes it pops off in one piece. Sometimes it shatters. I’d start at the bottom, because you don’t want the top shattering and falling on you. If you can get behind it with a wire, that will work, but if it goes to the ceiling it may not be possible. Did I mention calling a pro? That’s what I would do.

sjerin -- Thanks, but we tried some latex mattresses at a Nest store. We missed the 'bounce' of innersprings. If the firm innerspring proves too firm, I can add a 2" or 3" topper for about $200. I've procrastinated so long that our backs are killing us. I can get the Beautyrest Bridgewater Firm from Mattress Firm on Friday for $1100 + $245 for 5" high platforms and set-up/haul away. It's a challenge to keep the total bed height low enough to be safe.. Our metal frame is 7" off the floor. The Beautyrest Bridgewater is 13.5". Has 1000 13-gauge pocketed coils, gel, memory foam -- the usual 'stuffing'. There's a 120 day trial. Money back or another mattress.