What's In Your Wallet?

This seems to have become popular in the blogosphere. I wish I had thought of it. First, my wallet is a black leather bi-fold Perry Ellis wallet. I have all the typical contents like cash (~$75), driver's license, credit cards, grocery store card, etc. Here's a list of some of the non-typical contents:

• A hidden $20 bill for emergencies
• one-use tooth floss in a special plastic container
• Card with a table of tip amounts for restaurants
• Card with encrypted passwords (see website)
• Eyeglass prescription - Could come in handy if glasses are damaged while on vacation
• A hidden spare car key (see post)

Here's the blog that started this meme. He looks like he has an old leather black bi-fold wallet. He lists several other blogs doing the same thing. Here are some that caught my attention:

• MyMoneyBlog carries a Coach black leather bi-fold. One unusual thing he carries in the wallet is a single unused check. As some comments warned, this can be risky if your wallet gets stolen. If you lose checks, be sure to not only close the account but make sure the bank stamps any returned stolen checks as invalid signature or something like that. When the check is returned to the business that received the fradulent check, they'll know that you're not to blame.
• Financial Train Wreck has a Leather Justin work boots wallet. I'm not familar with this brand. He claims to be a redneck so perhaps that's why. He had kept his social security card in the wallet until a commenter gave the good advice to avoid this. Some other unusual contents include a firearms license and a gun range membership card (Future post idea: top-ten thing that rednecks carry in their wallet)
• Kim's wallet is a canvas Jansport bifold. She has some good ideas about what to exclude from your wallet such as your auto insurance card. Instead of her wallet, she keeps it in her car.
• Kassy's wallet has the most unusual item of all the posts that I've read: 1 orange guitar pick.

Things Stylish Men Keep In Their Wallets

This article lists 10 things stylish men keep in their wallets. The list seems to be intended to help men make good a impression on a woman. A library card is listed to show you're a man of knowledge. A $100 bill is listed to show that you're no cheapskate, and a picture of parents is intended to give you a wholesome image.

Then there are tools to keep in your wallet that can come in handy to impress a lady or to avoid embarrassing incidents. These tools include some matches, a mint, a toothpick and a safety pin. The safety pin makes good sense. I wish I had this in my wallet when the zipper got stuck on an old pair of pants while I was at work.

Thanks to the commenter for the link to this article!

Your Friend the Wallet

A man's wallet is more than just a wallet. It can almost be like a family member. Here's a story that can give you some idea of this. The guy described his old wallet as a black behemouth of leather. It was a trusty companion throughout the hardest times of his life which had even been used as a pillow.

The demise of the wallet came after his dog got a hold of it. He is slowly getting over this tragedy. He's planning on a change for his next wallet: a flashy smaller model with money clip.

Thanks to the commenter who posted a link to this article!