Not everything in my life is neat & tidy, but I do keep a neat & tidy wallet.
I don’t like the out-of-control feeling I have when my wallet is full of receipts, cards & cash aren’t in pockets, and it is bulging with change.
Since this is my year of DECLUTTER, I thought I would share with you one area in my life that is NOT cluttered: my wallet.
In my pre-kids life, I was a department store buyer for over 10 years. One of my areas of responsibility during that time was handbags & wallets and the above wallet is from that time. It’s circa late-90’s. I’ve had many wallets over the years, but I always go back to this one. It has all the compartments I need to keep me organized and it is still in great condition. Honestly, it still looks new.
The brand is The Sak and it is one of their signature knit wallets, although I’m not sure if they still carry knitted wallets–I’ve been out of that biz for 10 years. This style of wallet serves me well though. It is a large zip around wallet that has 12 pockets for cards, 2 side pockets for cash or receipts, a pocket for your license, a zippered change pocket, and plenty of room for receipts and my cash envelopes. It could also fit my checkbook when I need it, however I don’t usually carry it around.
I use cash envelops that I receive from the bank to hold cash for certain budget categories, such as dining out, clothes, and groceries.
Those cash envelopes fit neatly inside my wallet.
The wallet also holds a lot of change, however I frequently transfer the coins to our change jar. It helps keep the wallet light weight and less bulky.
Tips for Keeping a Tidy Wallet
- Remove receipts regularly. File the receipts you need at home. Toss the receipts you don’t need immediately.
- Remove coins regularly to keep your wallet less bulky and light weight. Start a change jar and dump the change daily.
- Remove any outdated cards or misc stuff that you don’t need or use regularly.
- Keep your cash organized, in dollar order ($1, $5, $10, $20, and up) and in one pocket for easy access.
Take a few minutes to organize your wallet. I guarantee you’ll feel more organized and in control afterwards.
What does your wallet look like? Does it need to be organized? Let us know in the comments.
Mine is pretty much the same. I too regularly put change in a change jar because otherwise the wallet and handbag weigh a ton. With the exception that being in the city with coin op laundry in the basement of the building I hoard quarters in a separate jar.