Help me downsize my wallet

00ChevyScott

00ChevyScott

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Dec 3, 2010
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I just picked up a Saddleback small bi-fold off the exchange, and it's quite a bit smaller than my old wallet.

So far, I've ditched two credit cards, all gift cards, all business cards, discount cards, receipts, etc. And now I'm left with these:

  • Drivers license
  • Concealed handgun license
  • Car insurance
  • Medical and dental insurance
  • Debit card
  • Two credit cards
  • Couple bucks in cash

It seems to fit the wallet decently, but I'm wondering if I can cut down a little more. I'm thinking about dropping down to one credit card and one debit card. If I'm in a situation where one card won't do it, I doubt a second will either haha. Also, my health/dental insurance cards, is there any other way to reliably have these with me without having them in my wallet? I'd leave them in my car, but I don't always have my car. I don't exactly want to be caught without them either.

How do you guys get by with minimalist wallets? Seems pretty tough to cut down, although I've ditched quite a bit already.
 
My wallet before I lost/misplaced it a month ago weighed about a pound, was four inches thick, held ask my cards, a lock pick set, 3 knives a few flash drives and other assorted papers.

Now my wallet has my license, CCW permit, 1 debit card, 1 credit card and a few of my business cards, I was so used to a boat anchor for a wallet that I'm constantly checking for this one, it don't feel right being so darn light. :)
 
Leave the car insurance in the car. And leave the dental insurance at home. Keep a twenty, fifty or c-note in the wallet instead of a mix of smaller bills. You can also get a belt to hold some of that. Money belts are cool with a most-of-length zipper on the inside where it isn't seen.
 
Definitely leave the insurance card in the car. Drop down to a single credit card. I also carry my medical and dental cards with me, but dental can probably be left at home. My son has all this stuff on his smart phone, by the way, so you could do that.
 
I know a guy who has an iphone with a holder for a credit card on the back. He does not carry a wallet.

For me it is a 4 card deal in a saddleback minimalist (now called the sleeve):
- Drivers license
- Work ID
- Credit card
- Bus pass

I have a few folded notes for emergencies folder up under the gel cover of my phone.

I find the thing that makes wallets bulky is the organizational dividers. Take a tri-fold or bi-fold and you are already tripling and doubling the thickness. Have individual slots for every card and you have all the material used to keep them apart. Stack up your cards and cash without a wallet. That is the footprint you should be aiming for when picking a wallet.
 
Codger_64 said:
Leave the car insurance in the car. And leave the dental insurance at home. Keep a twenty, fifty or c-note in the wallet instead of a mix of smaller bills. You can also get a belt to hold some of that. Money belts are cool with a most-of-length zipper on the inside where it isn't seen.
Click to expand...

Outside of the Detroit area where I live, not sure how many places will make change for a c-note if needed. YMMV

I carry a Pacsafe rfidtec 50 wallet. < $20 at amazon at the time. US currency barely fits in the wallet but I don't carry much cash anyways. I don't know how long the elastic chord will last but so far so good. I have dlic + proof in insurance on one side. Health, dental, vision insurance card in one slot and 1 debit, 1 cc, old college id (2nd pic id) in other slot.
http://www.pacsafe.com/rfidtec-50-compact-rfid-blocking-bi-fold-wallet-8.html
 
Ditch the wallet. Have your cards which you slim down as much as you can than wrap your money around it and finally put a rubber band around it. It's very minimal and the rubber band actually adds a lot of grip and secures the "wallet" to the bottom of your pocket, just know that depending on the quality of rubber band you get you may be able to go a few months or as little as 2 weeks before it's stretched out too much and should be replaced. The Advantage brand rubber bands that I use are among the crappiest I've used and they only last a few weeks before I need to replace them but when you can buy rubber bands by a few hundred for $1 I guess I am being a bit of a snob.

I also put my traditional slip joints under the rubber band and it's held securely in place so it doesn't slide out of my pocket which they are very prone to do in my khaki pants. I haven't found a wallet that will work as well for me, though I should really start a search for a top quality rubber band. And if your lazy and don't feel like undoing the entire thing to put away a bill fold it a few times and tuck it in the side, or you can do this from the get start but it seems to increase the bulk a bit more compared to when you wrap it.
 
you could get a smallish card sleeve to keep the less used cards in. There are apps to keep bar-codes for loyalty cards in your phone.
 
I think google wallet was one of the apps that you could store the loyalty cards on as well as credit/debit cards, etc. But not too many merchants accepted the nfc phone payments from google wallet last I checked. Though having used google wallet on my computer before I haven't had any issues with it and am quite happy with it, I mainly used it as they gave me another layer of protection and course of action if something went wrong as I was now protected both both google and my bank if something went wrong.

There is also a nice wallet or card holder posted on this thread. It's called the Omega by Fireti, something like this would probably slim down what your carrying quite a bit as well.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1148480-EDC-Pens/page6?highlight=edc+pen

I just found out something a few minutes ago, it looks like if you look for "front pocket wallet" it's code word for show me some slim wallets.
 
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Resolved.

rubber-bands-2.jpg
 
Well this has kind of gone a bit off topic. I wasn't necessarily trying to get rid of or change wallets, but condensing what I had into my new smaller wallet. I think I've got it narrowed down pretty good after removing my 2nd credit card and putting the car insurance in the car.

7RzBktD.jpg
 
MVF said:
Nice looking wallet- and plenty slim to me
Click to expand...

It's extremely thin haha. It's pretty much to the point where even when sitting I can't feel it. This wallet is outstanding, and I wish I would have decided to get one sooner.
 
Ohhh I thought you were unhappy with your new wallet....

I'm down to a thin wallet + 8 cards (2 of which I could ditch- the vision and dental cards) + very little cash. I'm happy.
 
00ChevyScott said:
Well this has kind of gone a bit off topic. I wasn't necessarily trying to get rid of or change wallets, but condensing what I had into my new smaller wallet. I think I've got it narrowed down pretty good after removing my 2nd credit card and putting the car insurance in the car.
Click to expand...

Wait... did you just ask us what you should carry in your wallet? I'd think you're the best person to decide that. :confused:
 
I use a Victorinox Swiss Wallet - five cards in total. I got tired of carrying an unnecessarily-thick leather wallet, that wore out too quickly for my taste, for those things, so the Swiss Wallet is about as slim and sturdy as I can find. I actually fell with it in my back pocket the day I got it, and it has not a dent or scratch - months later, it still looks and functions like new. The money clip on it holds up well, also, and is highly functional for cash, receipts, extra card, etc.
 
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