There is a meme going around the personal finance blog scene about posting the contents of one's wallet. I do not usually go in for these meme things (except on Fark.com), but this one sounded like fun, so here it goes. Let's see what I have in my wallet and what I can learn about my finance habits from those contents.
My wallet's contents:
1) Driver's License
2) University Graduate Student ID
3) Social Security Card
4) A business card from Caffe Dolce, the coffee shop I used to work for
5) ATM Card
6) Proof of Auto Insurance
7) Ham Radio License
8) Safeway Club Card
9) U-Haul Storage Accesss Card
10) Sprint Prepaid Phone Card
11) Sears Credit Card
12) Health Insurance Card
13) USAA Membership Card
14) Gamestop Membership Card
15) Costco Membership Card
16) Dental Insurance Card
17) Community College Faculty ID
18) Expired Bath & Body Works Coupon Card (just chucked it)
19) University Copy Center Card
20) Capital One Credit Card
21) Carlos Torano Cigar Label
22) Assorted Business Cards
23) Recipts for Photo Processing (from a two years past camping trip)
24) Shooting Range Gift Certificate
Wow! My first thought after looking at the above list is to wonder how on Earth I am able to fit all of this stuff inside of one wallet (don't even get me started on my key ring). The good news is that most of the above stuff is completely harmless financially. The Gamestop membership was probably a complete waste of money, and I must admit that I seldom use the Costco account. I have not followed my own advice to freeze the credit cards, but I seem to have overcome the urge to use credit cards on a day-to-day basis like I used to when I was in college. Other thoughts I have are that I need to spend more time with the activities I love (e.g. the Ham Radio license, and the shooting range gift certificate). The dental insurance card reminds me that I need to get my teeth cleaned (oh, chore of chores!). Overall, I'd say that there is not too much to sabotage myself financially within the inner sanctum of my wallet. I probably need to pare this list down to the bare essentials so my wallet doesn't explode. But it could be worse: I could have been born female and have to carry a purse. Now that would be a lot of stuff to cart around!
6 comments:
Here's my wallet contents:
1. California Drivers License
2. Invalidated Florida Drivers License-I can't bring myself to throw it away
3. University of Florida student ID
4. Syracuse University Student ID (handy for getting student discounts even though I have graduated)
5. Photo of us at a restaurant in Dallas
6. 2007 calendar (came with the wallet)
7. B of A Debit Card
8. Borders reward card
9. Hollywood Video membership card
10. Insurance Card from my old provider (just chucked it)
11. Both of our 24 Hour Fitness membership cards (now we know where they disappeared to)
12. United Healthcare insurance card
13. Citgo gas card (to be used in life or death situations only since it is daddy's card)
14. Limited Brands discount ID card (probably the most dangerous item in my wallet, aside from the debit card)
15. Expired CapitalOne credit card
16. CareCredit Card (to be used in veterinary emergencies only)
17. Petco rewards card
18. PetSmart rewards card
19. Business card for my hairdresser
20. "Frequent Fire" card for Petroglyph ceramics studio
21. Punch card for 99 Bottles Bar
22. Business card for a pet photographer
23. Harry and David rewards card
24. Social Security card
25. Various business cards for companies who have tried to recruit me
26. Bath and Body Works coupons
27. Six Flags buy one get one free admission coupons
28. Old pay stub
29. Miscellaneous old receipts (just chucked them)
30. Old message card that came with some roses you sent me
31. $8.39 cash
OK--analyze my wallet for me!
Carrying your social security card in your wallet is a bad idea. Even if your wallet and "identity" are stolen, they still cannot do much without that ever important social security number. Plus think about this: how many times do you actually whip that thing out? The cop isn't going to ask you for it when he pulls you over and neither is your local Safeway. I keep mines at home. Just my 2 cents.
Capt. Jack:
Thank you for your two cents and your unsolicited advice.
I wouldn't keep the social security guard in the wallet - if you lose it identity theft could be a big problem.
I used to carry a Safeway club card but you can just punch in your phone number that's registered with the car and you'll still receive all your discounts.
SF Money Musings:
I repeat myself: Thank you for your two cents and your unsolicited advice.
If I recall, the subject of this blog was to name the contents of one's wallet, not dole out advice to others on what should or should not be carried in one's wallet.
If and when I decide I need advice, I will be sure to contact you, until then, please stick to the subject at hand. Thank you.
I'll post my wallet's contents since that was the original post.
1. misc business cards of restaurants and random street vendors
2. Drivers license
3. some random receipts from the last few months
4. $9 leftover from last week
mines is pretty empty which feels kind of weird. a fat wallet (no pun intended to the actual FW site) makes me feel like I'm rich. but that's veering off topic.
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