A few weeks ago, in an effort to reduce the amount of crap I schlep to work, I bought a new, smaller wallet that fits in my wristlet. It doesn’t hold nearly as much as my old wallet, which is a good thing because my old wallet had way too much stuff in it. I had to really think about what I needed my wallet to hold. Here’s what’s in it:
- My driver’s license
- My 2 debit cards
- My emergency $20
- A picture of my daughter
- My library card
You’ll notice that there’s no credit card in there. When I noticed that I had a library card in my wallet instead of a credit card, that was the moment for me I realized I officially earned my official frugal merit badge.
What was the moment you earned your frugal badge?
Nice! I like this idea, I have so much stuff in my wallet.
I recently lost my wallet and it hasn't been a big deal because my debit card and library card have been in my back pocket for the last couple of weeks. Phew…my lifeline was spared! I don't carry cc so they are not in my wallet. Only things lost are my drivers license, health card and $26 g/c. I heart the library!
I carry no cash! Is that frugal enough? My wallet carries 3 credit cards, ATM card,auto club card and health ins. IDs. I use it the cards infrequently because my wife does the shopping for us.
That's awesome! I still am carrying around 2 wallets – one with fewer cards for an "on the go" type of day, and the other when I'm traveling somewhere. Not that I ever use all my cards in one day. Maybe I need to simplify my wallet, too.
Nice minimalism. Mine usually has more receipts than cash.
I should start carrying around an emergency $20. I carry no cash, and every now and then something comes up that makes it very inconvenient–like today when I needed $1 to add air to my bike tires for a bike trip, or when there's a pool at work for a bridal/baby shower.
my wallet is full with 4 credit cards, 1 debit card, bunch of receipts and $40 cash. Don't you feel credit cards give you extra discount in the form of cash back?
Mine's busting open not because of credit cards but all those store cards….wish I could get sales without them…
@Niki–Thanks!
@anotherhousewife–Losing my wallet is so nerve wracking. I don't know how you're going without one!
@Krantcents–Yup, that's frugal enough.
@Little House–I am so glad I minimized my wallet. Much less stuff to worry about and way smaller, too.
@101–One of the best parts of having a smaller wallet is that it forces me to clean out all the receipts and reminds me to balance my checkbook.
@Amanda–I typically use the $20 for things like being low on gas or having to unexpectedly pay a toll and realizing that the EZ Pass is not in my car.
@SB–No, I do not feel that way about credit cards. I don't use them or carry them. I cannot be trusted around credit cards.
@femmefrugality–I used to have that problem. I don't even use store cards anymore! I find that I spend way more than I should when I have them with me.