Most wallets carry far more than what’s needed for a normal day out. Old receipts, extra cards, and things that were tucked inside months ago have a way of staying there without a second thought.
But some of that clutter isn’t just taking up space. If you ever lose or have your wallet stolen, certain items can make an already frustrating situation much worse.
Take a quick look inside yours. These 9 things are probably better kept somewhere else.
A Spare House Key
Keeping an emergency house key in a wallet sounds convenient until the wallet and key disappear together. If your identification also shows your home address, you’ve potentially given whoever finds it both your home address and a way inside.
A List of Passwords
Writing down passwords can help some people, but the list shouldn’t travel around in a wallet. Losing it could potentially give someone access to email, financial accounts and other personal information at the same time.
Social Security Card
A Social Security card definitely doesn’t need to make every trip to the grocery store, coffee shop or post office. Losing it along with the rest of your wallet could give someone one of the most important pieces of information needed to attempt identity fraud.
Every Credit Card You Own
You rarely need to carry five or six credit cards when you use only one or two regularly. If the wallet disappears, that’s several more accounts to lock, replace, and watch for suspicious charges.
Related: 14 Things to Avoid Charging to a Credit Card
Birth Certificate
If there’s a birth certificate folded up somewhere in your wallet, take it out. It’s an important identity document that should be stored securely at home, not carried around during everyday errands.
Your Passport
Unless you need it that day, there’s little reason for a passport to sit in an everyday wallet or purse. It’s valuable identification and a headache to replace, so keep it somewhere secure when you’re not traveling or using it.
Related: 12 Daily Essentials You Don’t Think About Until You Run Out
More Cash Than You Need
Keeping some cash on hand can be useful, but carrying a large amount makes a lost wallet considerably more expensive. Unlike a credit card that can be locked or replaced, cash that disappears with a wallet is unlikely to come back.
Related: These Are the Purchases You Should Always Pay Cash For
Blank Checks
A blank check contains information tied directly to your bank account, so you don’t want it falling into the wrong hands. Unless there’s a specific reason to write a check while you’re out, leave the checkbook somewhere secure at home.
Gift Cards You Aren’t Using
Gift cards have a funny way of piling up in wallets, even when you have no plan to use them anytime soon. Carry the ones you actually expect to spend and leave the rest at home so an entire collection doesn’t disappear if the wallet does.
