I try to keep my wallet as light and streamlined as possible (no Costanza wallet for me!). To this end, I’ve found the following strategies to be particularly useful:
1. Carry one credit card. In fact, own as few as possible; signing up for every store card, or offer that comes in the mail, only complicates life. Who wants to deal with all that paperwork? (And worse yet, all that potential debt!) I typically keep two credit cards at a time: one with a high credit limit, for travel and big-ticket items; and one with a low limit for online shopping (to lessen the hassle if the numbers are stolen). The low limit one stays at home, the higher limit one in my wallet.
2. Carry one debit/ATM card. This not only reduces the bulk of your wallet, it helps you consolidate spending onto one bank statement.
3. Carry cash. Okay, from a strictly minimalist standpoint, you might say that cash adds unnecessary bulk. However, I much prefer to carry a few bills, rather than review a bank statement that has a zillion little purchases on it. In fact, I use cash as much as possible, particularly for minor expenditures like food, household supplies, drugstore items, books, magazines, and most clothing. I simply don’t want to be bothered with keeping the receipts, and matching them up to a bank statement every month.
4. Don’t carry a checkbook. It takes up too much space, and makes you that person that nobody wants to be in line behind.
5. Don’t use your wallet as a filing cabinet. I empty all the receipts from my wallet as soon as I get home, trashing the insignificant ones and filing those that I might need later (for warranties, returns, tax purposes, etc.).
6. Don’t use your wallet as a Rolodex or photo album. Leave your business cards and photos at home (or convert them to digital format and put them on your smartphone or PDA, if you carry one).
7. Be selective with “loyalty cards.” Don’t accept them for places where you don’t shop frequently; or if you do, only bring them along when you’re going to that particular store. I only have one at the moment, for the store where I do most of my grocery shopping. If I had more, however, I’d seriously consider using a service like JustOneClubCard to consolidate them.
When it comes to your wallet (and financial transactions), how do you keep things simple? I’d love to hear more tips!
I actually try to buy as much as possible by card because I then use my bank statement to add up budget expenses later BUT I also try to keep in mind that if you go to the grocery store 20 times in a month, that makes for some pretty annoying accounting–and waste of money–so I try to keep my trips to a minimum on everything. I do shop at the farmer’s market, though, for which I obviously pay cash–in that case, I keep something to write with/on so I can track my expenses (I’m anal that way–and the farmer’s market doesn’t give a receipt).
I’m actually kind of in a funk about credit cards in general and am toying with the idea of using paypall or something for online purchases–or in France, you can generate a one-time card number for online purchases and then just use your bank account. It’s not only for simplicity though, it’s the principal: I hate credit card companies and feel dirty for keeping the cards just to pay for an online purchase every once in a while. I’m beginning to envision life without credit cards, but I’m still in the planning stages–I’ll let you know how it goes.
And I concur–get rid of the loyalty cards and don’t accept new ones. Often, if you shop at a grocery store, you can get a loyalty account that is linked to a phone number and won’t have to carry a card. Besides, loyalty cards are invented to get you to spend more at a given store–I’m not sure they really save anyone any real money.
Trish, I feel the same way about credit card companies, and would also prefer to go card-free if possible. (Right now, however, I find them essential for travel and online shopping.) I hope you’ll blog about your progress in giving them up — I’d love to read about it!
Here’s my one tip: don’t have a wallet, at least not one that you put in your pocket.
This is possible if you only carry cash (bills, and less than 1 dollar in coins). Post-purchase, keep the transaction receipt(s) with the bills.
If you need to be identified, e.g. if you will be driving a motor vehicle, then put your driver’s license in one of your pockets.
If you are going to the library, put your library card in your pocket.
Don’t have a regular need to carry anything else in your pockets — key(s), mobile phone (if any), and any other items go into a backpack or some other bag. I find a great place for my key is that small “pocketwatch pocket”, the common style to many jeans. Keeps the coins and key separated.
Steve, what a wonderful minimalist approach to the problem — give up the wallet altogether! :-)
I carry a duct-tape reinforced paper wallet in my pocket with a minimal number of cards (2 credit cards, debit card, license, medical insurance card), and then I keep a second wallet in the car with all the other cards I might need while I’m out – library, etc. – and the photo album.
I’d try the “no wallet” idea, but the duct-tape is also handy for those times when I need just a small piece of tape. I’m surprised by how often that is. Then I just add a new piece of duct-tape when I get back home.
Very practical, David! I didn’t realize duct tape wallets were so versatile. :-)
I use an All-ett, which if you Google, you’ll see that it purports to be the original world’s thinnest wallet. In it, I carry one picture of the baby triplets because I find that’s a great conversation starter, one debit card, my license, my health insurance card for all the kids and my BJ’s Wholesale Club card because my wife often asks me to make a run on my way home from work to pick up diapers. That’s it. It’s quite thin. So thin that I often forget I’m carrying it and will have to check my pockets sometimes to make sure I didn’t lose it.
Some nice comments here too. Appreciate everyone sharing.
– Charley
Thanks for the info on the All-ett, Charley; I’d never heard of that!
@David, that’s great! I love the idea of using your wallet for repairs on the road…
I too carry a small wallet, I mean really small, it’s ~1cm thick. In it is ID, medical card, US Passport card (I’m overseas), 1 debit card for local account, 1 debit card for US account and cash. Coin goes in my pocket or a pouch in my backpack if I’m carrying it.
I started carrying a minimalist wallet like this years ago when I switched to front pocket carrying. At the time I just hated the bulk, now it fits in with all the other changes I’m making!
Hi Jesse! I have to carry my passport at all times too — does yours actually fit in your wallet?
Hi there, I know the brand Bellroy sells wallets that fit your passport in them. Personally I won’t buy them as they are leather and I am vegan but they would be handy, very minimalist for a travel wallet.
No purse or wallet for me. My required work ID comes in a plastic sleeve. Into that, I slide my drivers license, medical insurance, and a credit card. Occasionally, a bank card is added, if I think I’ll need cash. Although, I don’t like to keep track of bills and change.
Usually, store loyalty cards are kept in my coupon organizer and carry that when needed. The spare keyring minicards are on a ring in my glovebox.
Thanks for the info on the JustOneClubCard. What a great idea! Would it be possible to do this at home, by scanning the minicards on a flatbed scanner?
Great use of your work ID sleeve, Marie! I haven’t tried scanning minicards, but I imagine it would probably work…(good idea!)
i don’t carry a wallet in the winter, i just put my drivers license and my debit card in my pocket with any cash i need. my keys are usually in a coat pocket and that’s it. my coat has other pockets if i need stuff but i usually don’t. no cell phone or anything. i do have a purse i carry sometimes, if i need it with other stuff like prescription sun glasses and my wallet i carry in the summer, but i rarely need the stuff in my wallet, i would get rid of it but i love it and i have had it for almost 12 years and have never found another one i like as much.
I agree, Tabatha — love how coat pockets can eliminate carrying a wallet/purse in cooler weather!
For those of you whom do not carry insurance, vehicle or medical, cards – and do have either of the respective insurances – would it not be beneficial should either of the two be required? No, a person will not use his or her vehicle insurance card daily, but should a wreck occur, it would definitely be in your favor to have it. As for me, I carry a Big Skinny Card Case, which is a bit larger than the All-ett, but I prefer it over the latter design. In it on one of the two sides, I carry my two forms of ID (both required; a university and state ID), my medical and (laminated) vehicle ID cards, and my insurance prescription card, none of which I would consider leaving home, simply to reduce clutter. The other side carries my credit card, debit card, cash, a club card (that’s required to even enter a certain bulk item store), and two membership cards to other stores I am likely to frequent. That’s all. Altogether, my wallet is only four inches long, two and one-half inches tall, and one-half inch thick. While it may be thicker that at least one of the above poster’s wallet, the cards on the first side are non-negotiable that I carry, and I do not see leaving such cards at home if a person has them. The information listed on them, unless written down elsewhere and placed within your wallet for easy retrieval, could become invaluable on the one day in a decade when you need it. I see the trade-off of a slightly thicker wallet for having the cards when I need them to vastly outweigh the minor increase in bulk. With that said, I do see the original post to be spot-on; I did a similar purging when I moved to my previous wallet, and downsized even more when I purchased my current Card Case.
Thanks for your comment, Rex! I carried my license and health insurance card when I lived in the States. I haven’t been driving here in the UK (so no need to carry a license), and I’m not sure if I need to be carrying a National Health Service card. Thanks for the reminder to look into that…if anyone in the UK knows the answer, please let me know!
You’re right, though — I wouldn’t leave such important cards home simply to eliminate wallet clutter. Much better to have them if the need arises!
A bit late, but…
You don’t need to carry your NHS card. You should always be able to be traced through your GP, name, DoB etc.
My biggest problem in downsizing my wallet is all the change actually. I like to keep all my money together, and the notes here turn into lots of change way too quickly, especially with my bf borrowing money to go to the shops, then bringing me the change. Having so much money sitting in a change jar seems like a waste in a way.
Thanks for the info on the NHS card, Dorothea!
Ugh, don’t even get me started on UK change…it drives me crazy! (The £1 coins are so heavy, and what’s up with the giant 2 pence?) I actually count what I have *before* I go shopping, so as to try to get rid of as much as possible (and not accumulate any more)!
Great link to the club card site! For the past few years I have carried a credit card wallet in a front pants pocket. I was trimming club cards and taping them to a piece of paper. Now I just have the piece of paper!
A note about carrying vs. not carrying items: Like with all things minimalist, there should be a compromise between simplicity and convenience. In addition to a license, student ID, two credit cards, Costgo “gas” card, and some folded money, I carry two adhesive bandages. A cut finger is no longer the slightest hassle. Before my iPod Touch, I carried a piece of paper with metric-standard conversions too. Simplicity and convenience–only you can decide the ratio that is most comfortable for you.
Scott, great point about finding a balance between simplicity and convenience! Carrying a few “extras” can certainly minimize the hassle and time spent in addressing a problem.
This post and the comments prompted me to have a look at the contents of my wallet and here’s what I found:
– an ATM card
– a credit card
– an ID card
– a health insurance card
– a couple of public transportation tickets
– an extra SIM card and
– an “in case of emergency” card with contact information of my husband, parents, siblings and in-laws. :)
That’s about it. I just add a bit of cash in there whenever I have to go out plus a few small trip or errand-specific things I might need like a library card or a shopping list.
Hi Mia! It sounds like you have things pared down to the essentials. :-) The “in case of emergency” card is a good idea — I hadn’t thought of that.
I have a wristlet…it looks like a wallet but contain a place for my ID, one credit card and one in case of emergency card, a spot for store coupons and some paper money and coins, I can fit a lip balm and I attach my keys to the outside and my cell phone. I used to lug around a huge purse that helped me tote the huge wallet I had inside. Smaller is better and more organized.
Heather, a wristlet sounds like a great substitute for a purse!
Downsizing my wallet (and bag) was one of those things I decided to do a while ago. I carry cash, one debit card, library card, a spare couple of stamps and that is it. I try to pay cash for most everyday groceries otherwise what you buy goes one enormous database and then you get hassled with unwanted cards and offers. I believe in ducking under the radar of modern life! I have one credit card which is hardly ever used (I too would dearly like to do without one altogether) but I leave this at home (less tempation to use it!). I clear out receipts the minute I get home and keep them paperclipped together. Takes me about two minutes flat to go through my bank statement each month, then I shred them. Miss M: I would say you do not need to keep your National Insurance card on you. I never have and have never needed to produce it quickly. Probably most of you do this already, but for essential cards that you carry around each day, it is important to keep the details or a photocopy at home in case of loss or theft. Saves a lot of panic if the worst comes to the worst. I speak as a veteran of two handbag thefts!
Great system, Frances, and thanks for the advice on the NHS card!
The biggest thing that helped me minimize what I carry around was switching from a trifold wallet to a money clip. Carrying a money clip forces me to make decisions about what I take with me because very little will actually fit.
I like that strategy, Sam: minimize the contents by minimizing the space allotted.
Another typically wonderful post! Last night I emptied over an inch thick of ‘stuff’ from my wallet! All sorts of cards, pictures, the one or two receipts etc. I now have just one cash card and one credit card and nothing else! Putting my wallet in my pocket this morning felt like wearing a comfortable pair of new slippers!
Ditto my key chain! I have removed nearly 30 keys, baubles like a torch and USB key leaving just the two front door keys and a work locker key! It feels amazing how light both legs feel now!
Way to go, Jens! Isn’t it great not to be “weighed down” by all that extra stuff?
Absolutely! I’ve been doing okay so far keeping the paper off the desk and filed/trashed/shredded etc. Now the wallet and keys. Next, our clothes mountain range! So much needs to go!
I’ve gone without a “traditional” wallet for some time now. My replacement? Those 3-for-a-dollar miniature “marble” composition books. My license and cash are secured inside with a rubber band, and I no longer have to carry a separate notebook for ideas, expense tracking, etc. Works wonderfully well for my minimal style.
I don’t carry loyalty cards at all because, where I live at least, they can be accessed by giving the clerk your phone number (or typing it in at the PIN pad).
I keep my cards wrapped up in a rubber band, which I’ve done since I started carrying them in my front pocket years ago due to back problems. I don’t have mine close by at the moment, but I know I have my driver’s license, debit card, two credit cards, health insurance, library card, and gas credit card (which I should take out, since I never need it unless traveling non-locally). I can wrap up cash in the rubber band as well.
The two credit cards are a Visa (high limit, delightfully low interest) and an American Express that doubles as a Costco membership. We treat transactions on the American Express as if the card was a debit card…everything spent on it is subtracted from the checkbook with a special notation, then added back in when the bill comes due, so it gets paid off every month. One of the huge benefits of this (besides paying no interest!) is that a lot of the charges aren’t due for over a month, due to the odd billing cycle. This means we have a good deal of money “hidden” in the checking account, drawing interest and there as emergency padding.
The higher limit card is used for emergencies. Since I’m unemployed, it would be the card we would go to if we had to make purchases that weren’t going to be paid for right away, since the interest is low. Fortunately we’ve been able to avoid that so far, and we carry no balance on either card.
i use a money clip which carries the following:
– drivers license
– ATM card
– Visa (for places that dont accept AMEX) – used 1% of the time
– Hilton Honnors AMEX – used 99% of the time
– Company Credit card (there mostly because the other will fall out if i have just 4)
On the other side, i have at most one $5 bill.
99.9% of the time i use credit card, which gets paid off in full each month. No questions about it. I make enough to pay it off, so i have never paid interest on credit cards.
I have earned over 1 Million points with Hilton Hotels and have not paid for a hotel in 10 yrs.(also have a time share with them).
I use credit cards to keep track of transactions and ultimately want to know where my money is going, so i can cut back where i want to.
I love your blog, btw. get it in my RSS feeder and love every new entry!
good luck.
i carry the following cards in my front pocket and in my sling bag for my daily life
in the front pocket are the following cards for me to use as need
-x-state issused drivers lics
-x-state issused i.d. card
-x-medical and dental i.d.card
-x-credit union debt card for basic buying as need
-x-extra money rubberbanded around the wallet.
that it along with the basic set of keys on the keyring for use as need
in my sling bag is carry the following items
-x-Ipad with it access items
-x-travel cell phone power cord
-x-hardshell plastic reading glass case for reading glass
-x-over the counter type medical items as for headaces and sinus other items in a ziplock plastic bag for travel in the bag
-x-blood sugar checker with it access items in own travel case
-x-work badge id card on a neck layard for use as need with the monthly bus pass unit attached to the work badge id card for it makes it easlyer to do that way when traveling on the local bus system
-x-ziplock plastic bag of extras cash and coin for use as need
I follow the rule of carrying just one credit card and one debit card. We use the credit card due to points and have an auto pay built in so that we do not accrue any balance. The credit card companies aren’t too happy about that. For eating out etc, we stick to a CASH allowance. So it’s easy to discipline ourselves and avoid impulsive buying.
I cleaned out my wallet about a year ago. Now I carry my driver’s license, a debit card which doubles as a credit card, and my State Registered Domestic Partnership card.
I think this philosophy should apply to a woman’s purse as well. I have my wallet, keys, a comb and chapstick. Weekly, I look inside to make sure there is nothing else in there that doesn’t belong.
I have been using a pull out I.d. card holder from an over sized wallet. I carry it in my front pocket to prevent getting pick pocketed & because it’s much more comfortable. In it are only drivers license, atm card, s.s.card, R.E.I. member card & money when I have some handy.
I’m very similar to this. I carry one debit card, my driver license, a cash clip (sometimes with actual cash in it) and the checks my piano students hand me.
Do you happen to remember where you found the wallet pictured?
I’m very new to the minimalist philosophies. About 2 months ago I started to feel an overwhelming suffocated feeling in my beautiful home (full of beautiful things). I thought my head would explode with the oppressive feeling I had when I was in my house surrounded by TOO MUCH STUFF. I immediately started going through every drawer, cabinet, closet, tabletop pulling things out and boxing them up for donations, giving to my 19 year old niece who is starting to “set up house”, or selling. I then came across “The Joy of Less” and devoured the book. I’m on my 2nd read-through of it and continue to work steadily through every room of the house paring down little by little. I’m certainly nowhere near TRUE minimalist living yet but I am already feeling better with what I’ve gotten rid of and am excited with each room I tackle. I read with interest the post about slimming down our wallets because my purse has gone from very tiny (20 years ago) to gigantic. My goal is to get down to the bare essentials again in my purse. I read with interest some of the posts from a year ago about wallets and went on the All-ett website and the Big Skinny website. LOVED the Big Skinny wallets. And even better I saved 40% on the wallet I liked because it was apparently an overstock color. (And I even got the color that I actually WANTED.) Thanks for inspiring me to purge, purge, purge so that I can claim back my LIFE!! (P.S. I’m spreading your name around Facebook as I tell all my friends about my “de-crapifying” efforts and tell them about your book.) :-)
Sarah, I’m thrilled that you liked my book — thanks so much for spreading the word, I appreciate that!
great comment Sarah. January being in the new year is always a great time to get on track with things like this new mindset.
I have just come across Miss Minimalist this week, and I’m really loving the blogs too.
I’m ABOUT to get the book…I think. :)
I’ve been on a de-cluttering mission of sorts for several years (try more than 5, of and on), but only the past few months have I really gotten on a rampage.
Still lots to work on, but yes, isn’t it freeing!!??
thanks for the terrific ideas and inspirations from both Miss Minimalist and your contributors/followers.
Fabulous website design too. I always feel so refreshed when I click-off. :)
I carry a little Vera Bradley coin purse that has a plastic window and inside pocket for drivers license. It is neat because unlike others I’ve seen, the window is enclosed so the license is inside the zipped part and can’t fall out. They cost $10.00.
I actually moved up to a bigger wallet a couple months ago. I found myself carrying a small wallet with drivers license, debit card, credit card (never used), 2 library cards and bus and train passes. I had another wallet/pouch type holder with all my store loyalty cards (I do save money using them), 3 different medical cards, business cards and any gift cards. Then I had receipts and change floating around my purse.
I would have to pull out my wallet to pay, then pull out the other wallet to dig out the loyalty card and have both hands full and my purse gaping open. The money was also folded in half in the small wallet and I never managed to pull out and put away money with out flashing around how much I had in there.
Now I have my most frequently used loyalty cards, gift cards (which I always forgot I had), change and a place for my receipts and bills easily accessible all in one lovely wallet. I still have the second holder for the rest of the loyalty cards, medical cards, car insurance, business cards and a library card for the other county but I rarely have to go into it.
A little bigger but much simpler.
One way I get around wallet bulk is to not carry any change smaller than a £1 coin. At the end of each day all the 50ps and under go in a change pot – it’s also a good way of saving a bit of extra pin money. I also don’t stash receipts in there, they go straight into the right folder when I go home.
I should check the loyalty cards though, I’m sure I have way too many of them in there!
Use a plastic bank money bag to carry your change. It keeps it all together so you dont lose it under the car seat and stops it from wearing holes in your pockets so your trousers last longer too. I wear rohans or Kiwis with the zip pockets
When it gets dirty get a new one free from the bank or the supermarket.
At a pinch you can keep notes and cards in one.
These are all great ideas! Last time I bought a wallet, I got it into my head that I needed to carry my checkbook and it gets so annoying when I’m carrying a small purse -once my huge wallet’s in there, I barely have room for my cell phone/chapstick/keys! Next time, I’m getting the smallest wallet I can find, and just folding a check or two and tucking them in there in case I need them for some emergency. So much more efficient!
An even more minimalist idea – my dad stopped carrying a wallet years ago, and instead uses a binder clip to hold his driver’s license/credit card/debit card, with his cash wrapped around the outside. It works great for him.
I used to keep a few hundred dollars and 3 credit cards, and bank atm together with a thick rubber band. Never lost it, but would not do that again, realizing the huge potential hassle if lost. Later I modified my credit cards and atm card to hang very neatly on my keychain. Looked neat… But I did lose that sliding out of my pocket in a relative’s car found long after I cancelled them all. For awhile, a few bills and my Debit card, cutting down easily on spending as a result. Now, I carry a $100 Dollar Bill in my shoe everywhere regardless, and a SENA walletbook for my iPhone, which is ultra handy for keeping a couple cards at tge ready, and 3 other spaces for an extra key, another $100 dollar bill and a thin stash spot for whatever. The iPhone Wallet is ideal for me, as I am ever mindful of where it is always, and actually use my Iphone to make my living (trading futures) anywhere I want. Talk about freedom! So much so that the only thing I am working on “Mobilizing” for myself is buying food with no hassle, anywhere I may be, anytime I want. Looking for sites that sell bulk foods online for the best price cheaper than bulkfoods dot com. Any help would have my gratitude forever :)
For years, I have used a “neck pouch”. It is like thin lightweight wallet on a strap that goes around your neck. (You can find them in travel and survival gear company catalogs–but check around because I have found them cheaper.) I’m vegan, so these have always been made out of strong nylonish material. No need for pockets or to carry a purse. Leaves your hands free, and if you feel kind of squeamish about being pickpocketed (is that a word?), the thing can hide under your shirt or coat.
There are a few compartments in mine–how many depends on the model. I carry a pen and a cheap basic comb. There is a thin “photo” section, but it usually contains just a couple of “deaf” business cards, non-driver’s license, a credit card (my only one), two medical insurance cards, and a library card. There is still room for a few bills and coins.
I’ve been a minimalist for around 5 years now, and I’ve owned a couple of Jimi Wallets, which can be found at http://www.thejimi.com. I have both the one with a money clip and the one without a money clip. I oscillate back and forth between the two, but for the last couple of months, I’ve been using the one with the money clip. The Jimi without the money clip only fits about 4 bills and 5 credit cards, and the one with the money clip fits tons of bills and about 5 cards as well. Only $15 and is very durable, as I’ve had both of them for about 3 or 4 years. Just don’t overstuff them or you could run into some problems.
Ever since I lived 7 months in Peru, I have carried a very small coin purse when I’m in countries where coins are worth a lot. That way I don’t have to get my wallet out every time I need to pay for something (unless I’m out of coins) and I actually use the coins I get. I have also noticed that it minimizes the risk of theft, the thieves see your little coin purse and can steal that, but they don’t usually see your wallet, so they can’t steal it. Having two types od wallets may not be minimalistic, but it can sometimes simplify things, even my minimalistic stepfather has taken to carry a separate coin purse when he’s in euro countries.
I just stumbled upon this post again, and realized that since I wrote the last comment, I have totally forsaken my wallet for a golla phone sleeve with zipper pocket and carabiner hook. In it I have my phone, and ID card (either drivers license or National ID card depending on what I’m doing), a Visa card from my bank (ATM card, but works for store and Internet shopping, no credit as I don’t want it), 2 store cards and 1 travel card. The rest of the cards are at home unless I know that I’m going somewhere. I also attach my keys to the carabiner, and then I’m set for shorter outings.
Now that I have stopped using my wallet, I am actually thinking of occationally carrying a coin purse for when I’m using cash (the bill’s fit fine in the phone sleeve, but the coins don’t). For longer errands I carry my huge purse. It’s hardly ever full, but I find it a hazzle to repack bags, so I just use the same one wether I’m going on an overnight trip or just around the corner.
When I travel abroad, I use a combination of a travel wallet, the coin purse and the phone sleeve. I have travelled light ever since I was allowed to pack my own bags, but I truly love my travel wallet to keep all the bits and bobs that come with travel in one place; the itinerary, the tickets (that I can’t get on my smart phone or Visa card), the insurance card, the foreign currency, the passport/National ID, the keys to my home, the chewing gum for flights (I only chew gum when flying and used to forget my hardly opened packets and have to buy new ones at the airport, not so anymore since I keep it in my travel wallet) and a spare pen.
Check out minimalistos for a sick minimalist leather wallet:
https://minimalistos.wordpress.com/
You can get similar items on Ebay for a couple of dollars (USD). I have one that is vinyl because I’m a vegan and don’t do leather. Mine has a snap closure which I prefer to the folding kind. In addition to my cards, I keep a couple of 20$ bills folded up in it for cab fare and whatnot.
I only carry what I need and most of the time in a wrist-let big enough to hold some cash, id, check card, insurance card, chapstick, phone and keys.
I find that this is less stressing on my shoulder (it hurts after carrying a purse) and I feel less bulky.
I guess I’m very late for this blog but I agree about credit cards. I held out as long as I could but few hotels will take reservations without one. I also hate that merchants are charged 2% for each transaction (no wonder prices keep going up — merchants have to cover this loss) and try to use cash as much as possible. Also, in Canada, they’re now getting rid of the penny, so if something is $1.98 and you give $2.00, you get nothing back. The merchant either rounds up or rounds down. Most of the time, I’m the one who loses. I know lots of people now either using their debit or credit to avoid losing pennies (I know it’s not much, but over time it adds up). Canada is also thinking about getting rid of the nickel (5 cents). Unfortunately, I think one day we’ll be using cards as they will have eliminated all cash.
I read the last comment and I wonder too, if cash will stop being used.
When I shop at thrift stores, rummage sales and garage sales, I usually bring $15 in cash. I may find something wonderful. There isn’t anything I need worth more than $15.
Credit card commercials: “What’s in your wallet?”
Well, since you asked: a whole lot less than there used to be! I received my first wallet, a nice leather bi-fold model, as a Christmas gift when I was ~12 and really first needed to carry cash around with me. 22 years on, and I had the same wallet, though it had been “repaired” several times with duct tape and was about ~20 mm thick when stuffed. Not too long ago, while on vacation with my sig other, on a whim, I picked up a new wallet. This one is a tri-fold model from FlowFold. I transferred everything between the wallets back at the hotel, and the new one was less than half the thickness of the old one, with the same contents! I’ve since slimmed the contents of my wallet further. Now I have: two credit cards, my driver’s license, two loyalty cards for grocery stores, an ATM card, library card, blood donor card, a public transit card, and my health/vision/dental insurance cards. I think I’ll remove one of the loyalty cards as I hardly ever visit that store, and also the blood donor card. Most of my purchases go on my credit cards so that I can track my spending over time, but I do keep some cash on hand for cash-only merchants. Receipts go right into the recycle bin at home or into the box for kindling, for our fireplace.
I find carrying a very small purse to fit my life. Baggalini makes small nylon ones. I usually carry a pen and a
list of medicines I take as well as ID and a few cards and change. So I don’t need a wallet I use the sections of the purse.
Store Loyalty Cards–I put them in the console of my car and only pull them out if I’m going to that store. I plan to get a key ring or carabiner, punch a hole, and put them in alphabetical order but right now I don’t have enough to bother.
What I like better than store cards is to use Rakuten (used to be e-bates) and get a check in the mail now and then.