The dummy cord thing carries over into civilian life. I use a large waist pack to carry photo gear at work, and my Gerber multitool is on a dummy cord attached inside a pocket. My memory-card case is on another dummy cord (and I am totally anal about how the cards go in the case -- upside down for shot cards that need to be downloaded, right side up for empty cards ready to shoot).

On the trail, I carry a Photon light, whistle, and tiny Swiss Army knife on a lanyard around my neck. In camp, I have come up with little habits about where things go, and sometimes I even remember what they are <g>. Many small items are carried in a small waist pack, which I can wear both while hiking and around camp. Headlamp, chapstick, camera, pocket knife, bandana, that sort of thing. Useful.