# Do you still carry a wallet? If so, how old are you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 9, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178 "2022-02-09T22:05:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/21 "2022-02-09T22:32:55Z")
It looks like currently only 5 states have digit drivers licenses available. If it becomes a thing in mine, it’s something to consider. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/22 "2022-02-09T22:34:25Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > My state permits an official electronic version of my DL on my phone. Interesting. I wonder if I would be willing to go full digital with everything on a smartphone if that was available here. I’d think about it, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/23 "2022-02-09T22:34:25Z")
If we carry handbags but don’t use wallets, does that count as a no? I didn’t vote because I only carry a wallet sometimes, depending on where I’m going. Once wallet apps are universally accepted and used, I’ll just use my phone. I’ll still use a backpack or purse, though, because I carry a contact lens case, sunglasses, and hand sanitizer. The pockets in women’s clothing tend to be too small to hold much. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/24 "2022-02-09T22:35:28Z")
I utilize ApplePay with my primary credit card and debit card where possible. But those two cards and my DL are in a pocket in the back of my phone. My medical insurance card, auto insurance cards, vaccine card, car registrations any other types of rarely needed card ID’s are photographed and stored in my favorites album on my phone. Never had a problem with producing these pics and them being accepted. So primarily I carry my phone, car key fob, and walking around cash in my pockets and that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/25 "2022-02-09T22:37:07Z")
I lost my wallet once. I needed some cash to hold me over until my replacement credit cards came. The bank accepted a photo (from my phone) of my drivers license as ID. Glad they did too, or I don’t know what I would’ve done. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/26 "2022-02-09T22:38:19Z")
Where do the male youngsters keep their emergency condoms if they don’t use a wallet? I got married and no longer needed them long before smartphones were invented. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/27 "2022-02-09T22:38:53Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > Where do the male youngsters keep their emergency condoms if they don’t use a wallet? There’s an app for that. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/28 "2022-02-09T22:39:02Z")
This needs a Both option. Technically, my vaccine card lives in my purse, because it’s too big for my wallet, but I choose to count that. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/29 "2022-02-09T22:39:43Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > But those two cards and my DL are in a pocket in the back of my phone. Then your phone is a wallet. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/30 "2022-02-09T22:39:59Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > > [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > > > Where do the male youngsters keep their emergency condoms if they don’t use a wallet? > > There’s an app for that. Uh, do I use the headphone jack or the USB port? Not to brag, but I don’t think I’d fit either one. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/31 "2022-02-09T22:40:29Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > My state permits an official electronic version of my DL on my phone. If you suffer a traffic stop, does the po-lice get to carry your phone back to his cruiser, and do…dog knows what with it? Not suggesting you have anything to hide, and I know I don’t, but a serious question; maybe a doper has an answer, not obtained the hard way. Dan ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/32 "2022-02-09T22:43:01Z")
Covid killed the one-night stand. And my valet carries my wallet, so I voted yes. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/33 "2022-02-09T22:43:17Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Then your phone is a wallet. If you want to call it that, fine, but I don’t. It’s on my phone. IMHO, a wallet is a manufactured textile item that you use to carry an assortment of things, but primarily, cash, ID, credit cards, photos, receipts, notes, lint, and even change. Maybe even that ice cream token you received 3-4 years ago, that never redeemed. These things won’t fit into the pocket on the back of my phone, it’s just not that big or flexible. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/34 "2022-02-09T22:44:19Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > IMHO, a wallet is a manufactured textile item Are you vegan? Wallets are made of leather, old chap. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/35 "2022-02-09T22:44:46Z")
Did you not see my reference to velcro wallets? ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/36 "2022-02-09T22:47:35Z")
I do, but being really enamored of the idea of traveling light, I scan through Amazon every so often for a phone case that has enough built-in slots and pockets and whatnot to be useful to me. Just grab my phone and car keys and head on out the door. I can whittle down the number of cards (and whatnot) that I carry to just a very few items. Credit card, driver’s license, and a couple other things. But I haven’t found a phone case that seems _just right_ as of yet. I’m being picky, but then again, it’s not an urgent thing. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/37 "2022-02-09T22:55:30Z")
Pre-covid: my wallet was always in my pants pocket. Now: wallet is on dresser. I put it in my pocket when I need it - maybe a couple times a week. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/38 "2022-02-09T22:58:59Z")
I very much dislike your age categories \>:( I’m female, and most women I know who do carry something or other carry either a wallet or a purse (purse in the UK basically means a fatter version of a wallet - the UK word the US purse is a handbag. It’s one of the many confusing US-UK clothing words differences). I always have a handbag but keep my bank cards, oyster cards etc in a pocket of the bag, and change in a different pocket. I prefer to keep my handbag as light as possible, and a wallet or purse takes up unnecessary space. Carrying a wallet around encourages you to carry cards you don’t actually need all the time. Then if you lose it, or it’s stolen, that’s more to replace. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/39 "2022-02-09T23:16:31Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > There is certainly less of a need than in the olden days. My wallet holds cash, credit cards, ATM/debit card, drivers’ license/ID, work ID card, health insurance card, vaccination card, and maybe a few other things that I’ve forgotten about (gift cards, store loyalty cards, etc.). For those who don’t carry a wallet, what do you do instead? Do you have these things or their equivalents on your phone, or do you carry them somewhere else, or do you just not have them? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178/40 "2022-02-09T23:22:40Z")
I counted my little coin purse as a wallet as it can hold folded dollars, drivers license, change and my pills. It’s great because in winter with a heavy coat or jacket, purses are awkward and if I’m just running errands, I put that in one pocket and my phone in the other. I’m good to go. I’ve used these little Hmong-made zip pouches for years and I love them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-carry-a-wallet-if-so-how-old-are-you/959178.md?page=3)