Keep a pair of pruning shears handy for those times when you think you are just going to take a short stroll around the garden; there's always something that needs to be snipped or pruned!
Doesn't matter if they're "good" pruners as long as they're handy. Seems all of my pruners get an early retirement when I choose something new and shiny but it makes it easy to always have a pair near by. I have dedicated "back porch pruners" at home and at my mom's house. Slightly neglected and subjected to the elements but always useful.
