Guys, you know how difficult it can be to sit down on a big fat wallet. Ladies, you know how purse clutter can just ruin your day! Well, there are more reasons to clean out your wallet than an uncomfortable seat or a chaotic handbag.
Now, I’m not opposed to fat wallets due to cash – not at all. But try to keep the bill denominations high, won’t you? When it comes to everything else, you need to slim it down. Here are some VERY important reasons to cut that wallet fat!
Reason 1: Too much information identity thieves would love to steal!
Please, please don’t tell me you have your Social Security card in your wallet. This one number is perhaps the most important identification method you have. Carrying your Social Security in your wallet can spell disaster if your wallet were to be stolen.
Okay, you know this. But what about other information? Business cards of friends and family you probably wouldn’t want to get out in the open? Do you have phone numbers written down in your wallet? Think twice! Instead, try storing your information on a secure device – like a phone with a strong password. Having information written down in your wallet is inviting a problem.
Reason 2: Credit cards might be hiding out in there. Gross!
Maybe I haven’t convinced you yet that credit cards are bad news. But still, do you really need 5+ credit card accounts to deal with? I think not. What a pain! Maybe it’s just that I’m accustomed to having ONE checking account with ONE debit card. Who knows. My argument is that you don’t need to manage all these cards at once. Who has time? Not me!
Reason 3: Stay current on services!
It’s always a good thing to be aware of what you have in your wallet and the expiration of the services you subscribe to. What’s your debit card expiration date? When do you have that ambulance coverage lapsing? How about your car insurance? Looking through your wallet can be a good reminder of what services you have and when you’re going to have to update your status with them.
After you clean out your wallet, you’ll be able to breathe just a bit easier. So, what do you have in your wallet? Please, not Capital One. Please.
! John wrote two articles for the book: "Budgeting for Groceries" and "How Grocery Stores Work."
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I hate clutter. cleaning out the wallet I do at least one a year. good post. thanks for reminding me.