Monday, October 22, 2007

Sometimes You Don't Want a Fat Wallet

If you are a fan of thin wallets that are easy to carry in a pocket, check out this review at the Gadgeteer. The wallet featured looks like a nice way to carry a fair number of cards without a lot of bulk.
I was talking to a friend of mine about wallets this weekend. She carries a large women's wallet, in which she carries all her credit cards, ID, and cash. The wallet is leather, with a metal clasp-- it's beautiful, but heavy! I have a tiny nylon change purse that is big enough to hold a few credit cards and cash, with a mesh section to keep coins separate. I carry only my day-to-day needs in it, and if I'm traveling, I'll even take out things I don't need, like my gym ID. Sometimes this little wallet gets a bit stuffed with receipts and things, but I don't think I really need a bigger one-- I prefer the minimalist approach.
Do you prefer a big wallet or a small one? And if you're interested in what I and other bloggers keep in their wallets, check out this post at Stop Buying Crap and this more detailed look at my typical wallet contents.

12 comments:

Alison said...

I used to carry a large wallet years ago. I'd keep all my receipts, credit cards, check book, and cash in it. It got heavy and just annoying to have all that stuff (and who uses checks anymore??) Now, I use the Skinny Mini from Coach. It holds my ID, a few Credit cards, and some cash. It has a key ring at the end of it...and I love it!

Clean ClutterFree Simple said...

I prefer no wallet at all. I ususally keep my id and debit card in a back pocket and cash in one front pocket, keys in the other. Of course, my job allows me to dress casually, so this works for me. I keep my cards (memberships, rewards, loyalty etc.) in a nice wristlet that I keep in a nylon shoulder bag, with cell phone, camera, etc. I can carry the bag if I need the whole shebang, but also can just go hands-free with my pocket-wallet. Works for me!

Anonymous said...

Small wallet, big shoulder bag to put it in when I need to carry lots of stuff.

M said...

Big wallet, big matching bag... I carry my ids, credit cards, membership cards, dollars, Euro (we live abroad), important phone numbers, and a few small receipts, like my ticket for the dry cleaners. I love always having everything I might need handy. I do switch to a more convenient messenger-style bag when we travel Europe, but I still keep my big, pink Coach wallet on me.

VixenOnABudget said...

As someone else mentioned, in my day to day events, I just slide things into my back pocket. Typically I have my license, debit card and maybe cash.

Otherwise, everything is constantly switched between backpack and purse.

mapgirl said...

Slim. I use a business card holder for my wallet. It gets to be about the size of a deck of cards when it's stuffed full of grocery store cards, gift cards, receipts, biz cards I've collected from other people, etc. I like to clean it out and make it thin again every few weeks. It's very liberating.

I never understood the big wallets that were clutches. A clutch is something I step on to shift gears, not a purse I shove into my armpit. What a waste of a free hand that could be holding a glass of wine at a cocktail party!

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

I like using a cigarette holder (I don't smoke though), but it looks so chic and is simple to carry (forgot to bring it on this trip however)

But I do have a proper, leather wallet... and a separate wallet just for coupons/rewards cards LOL So everything stays slim :P

Anonymous said...

I used to have a very small wallet and a very small purse. In the past couple years I've truly transformed. It seems that with motherhood I've unintentionally aquired the "mom purse". I remarked to my husband recently that my current wallet is now larger then some purses I've owned! However, since it does hold everything I need, I can easily slip in into the diaper bag and skip the purse on shopping trips with my son.

thisisbeth said...

I used to have a huge wallet, but now it's very small. I made it myself:
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=262#more-262

They show there one that's stuffed very full, but mine is fairly thin. I was surprised when I made it how much I can happily do without!

Anonymous said...

http://www.witzprod.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=28

this waterproof case which holds about 10 cards is what i carry most of the time now. (my cousin's company had them for all their employees and my mom LOVED it so my cousin ordered some for us as gifts.) I usually put my student ID, a credit card, driver's license, and insurance card along with about 15 dollars cash in it. (since i'm still at school people use the school ID for almost everything related to money on a daily basis)

Anonymous said...

Actually, I still write checks all the time. Having gotten in trouble in the past with credit cards, I'm not inclined to carry any cards except my debit card and my non-driver's license. I carry, and use, cash and checks almost exclusively. I like the feeling that the money I spend is real, and that I have (probably an illusion of) control over my finances.

So, since I do write checks, I carry what used to be called a "french purse" containing my checkbook and supermarket card, debit card, non-driver's license, a little money, and numerous museum membership cards. I put this wallet in a toaster-sized shoulder bag, because, of course, I also have to carry my date book, makeup, sunglasses, medication, keys, metrocard, LIRR ticket, business cards, cellphone, tissues, earplugs ...

beth said...

I also use a metal cigarette holder. One side holds cash or a couple of receipts.

The other side has: health card, library card, credit card, debit card, driver's license, and a calling card. That's all I need anywhere!