Tool time: The basics every woman needs

Whether you've got a man in your life or you're a single gal, every woman should have her own set of tools. We're not saying you need a whole shop full of tools: Just the basics so you can hang photos and do simple repairs.

Tammy Elias of Elias Ace Hardware says getting a prepackaged tool kit is a good place to start. "Stanley puts together a really nice one that covers everything," she says.

But if you want to build your own tool kit, here's what she says you need:

* A cordless screwdriver or cordless drill. "You need it for everything," Elias says. "You'll use it for everything from ready-to-assemble furniture to hanging pictures."

* A set of precision screwdrivers. Get various sizes, and you can fix anything from eyeglasses to hinges.

* A hammer. "You have to have a hammer," Elias says. "You don't want to take your shoe off every single time."

* A tape rule.

* A box opener/box cutter. "I use mine every day," she says.

* Plier set.

* Scissors. "A good pair of utility scissors is really handy," Elias says.

Tools for women

"The thing is, there's a whole line of women's tools," Elias says. "They have floral handles to differentiate (from a man's tools). You get a few tools, and before you know it, (your man has) carried them off."

You can also get tools, everything from hammers to screwdrivers to tape rules, in purple and pink.