# your wallet or purse **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 16, 2001, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624 "2001-07-16T00:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/1 "2001-07-16T00:29:33Z")
what’s in it? what’s it look like? what do you carry around from place to place? I have a black nylon purse: 3 lipsticks: pouty plum, tropical mango, sugared maple 1 black wallet 1 monster calculator 1 palm pilot 1 hello kitty I-zone Camera stickers of smiley faces sketchbook skull pez thing silver mechanical pencil matching fountain pen, extra ink cartridges a photo of mr baboon holding dog-baboon eraser lint 3 red beads ticket stub watch walrus finger puppet sewing kit gum, bubble yum. gummy bears change (35 cents) (and I wonder why my back hurts) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_and\_I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Cat\_and\_I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_and_I)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/2 "2001-07-16T00:41:35Z")
I’m strange. I don’t keep a purse, just an ID and bills and coins and keys in my jeans. Don’t want more. Never need lipstick, nailfiles, or hairbows when I’m out. Do all my grooming at home. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/3 "2001-07-16T00:45:15Z")
I discovered the joys of a backpack when I started back to college. Very nice. Black leather with lots of compartments. Why no one told me when I was totting around baby bags how much easier it was to carry around a backpack, I have no idea. Even carrying 49 pounds of textbooks and all my regular crap (wallet, keys, money, inhalers, pens, scissors, stapler, etc), it’s still easier than a shoulderbag. I hardly ever carry just a purse anymore. But don’t ask me to list what’s in it. Please! ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/4 "2001-07-16T00:48:37Z")
I carry a cute little pink plastic wallet with Hello Kitty on the side of it. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/5 "2001-07-16T00:50:56Z")
I carry an Igloo cooler with extra fingers, toes, hands, feet, etc packed on ice. You know, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/6 "2001-07-16T00:59:51Z")
I carry a wallet with the basics- license, ATM card, insurance cards, a little bit of cash. Of course, this is usually inside the briefcase that has: at least one book A pair of shoes gum camera(never know when you need to take a picture) an extra pair of nylons(I have a knack for snagging them) a bunch of change down at the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/7 "2001-07-16T01:08:16Z")
I used to carry a purse with a lot of junk in it. Now I’m carrying what’s technically called a “portfolio bag”. (And then only when I go to work - the rest of the time I’m like **Cat and I** … money, keys, everything in my pockets) Right now, I have a book to read on the train, my CD player and a bunch of CDs, an umbrella, some meds, my keys and my money. Probably a lot more, too, but I don’t really feel like checking it right now. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/8 "2001-07-16T01:12:23Z")
In my backpack: wallet cellphone Palm Pilot digital camera random pens extra pair of contacts twisty thing from a Linux conference (usually around my wrist) some software CD’s ibuprofen 2 bottles of herbs: crampbark and some other one for my neck some change gum a Lifesaver half a boarding pass from when I went home last month a picture of **virtee** driving pack of cigarettes probably at _least_ 3 lighters ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/9 "2001-07-16T01:31:30Z")
Without actually looking in my purse, I can tell you that I have at least: A duct tape wallet filled mostly with receipts and ATM statements, as well as ID and various other cards My monthly package of pills Anywhere between 3-7 pens or pencils (it varies daily) An eraser A KinderEgg toy elephant with a camera A KinderEgg walrus thingy thats come apart and is in several small pieces A couple of hair elastics, clips and/or bobby pins A small hairbrush Lipbalm A couple of beads on a string from Frosh week My key chain (complete with grenade pin ring 🙂 A 2000 agenda used mostly for scrap paper and the phone numbers section Thats all I can think of offhand. My purse is a black knitted thing with a pin of _Le petit prince_ on it. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/10 "2001-07-16T01:58:16Z")
When I don’t have back pockets, I carry a purse. I own three, so what it looks like depends on my outfit. I plop in my wallet, some chapstick, maybe some makeup, a pen, a small notepad, a comb and some small item of amusement (like a pullback race car, not what I know you people are thinking, get your minds out of the gutter before they rust). My wallet is made of black carbon fiber, and it’s from No Fear. In it are my license, my money, student I.D., Red Cross certification card, phone card(s), pictures of my family and **Gunslinger** , Social Security card and library card. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/11 "2001-07-16T02:03:38Z")
I have a leather wallet that my host family bought for me in France. It contains my: [li]license[/li][li]student card[/li][li]ATM cards[/li][li]membership cards[/li][li]discount cards[/li][li]business cards[/li][li]photos[/li][li]old bus tickets[/li][li]old receipts[/li] When I go out, I usually carry a purse, which contains: [li]make-up[/li][li]tampons[/li][li]cash (either in a wallet or an old cigarette box)[/li]gum ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/12 "2001-07-16T02:30:45Z")
I guess it’s been a while since I cleaned my wallet out. Current contents:[ul] my Maine Drivers License a library card a video card a business card from a real estate agent I haven’t dealt with since 1997 my ATM card a shopper’s reward card from a local grocery store Waldenbooks preferred reader card credit card a second video rental card a second credit card a second library card a third library card a fourth library card (I like libraries) a business card from a second real estate agent, this one I haven’t dealth with since last year. a list of the titles of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels that I forgot I had a picture of two nieces and a nephew that I forgot I had. (I forgot I had the _picture_, I should say) a business card from a third real estate agent I haven’t dealt with for about 2 years a picture of a third niece yet another picture of yet another niece an ATM receipt a list of telephone numbers with the title of a book I wanted to borrow from the library that I forgot about on the back; also, some enigmatic numbers in my hadwriting that I can’t remember what they’re for–probably a secret code for when the Martians finally invade $116 cash extra key for my truck in case I lock myself out (used once)[/ul]I guess I can start throwing some of this crap away now. Actually, it’s time for a new wallet, because this one is falling apart. I can’t imagine why. ---
**Author:** ![BooBoo316](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@BooBoo316](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BooBoo316)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/13 "2001-07-16T02:31:37Z")
Let’s see…it’s a dark brown leather tri-fold design. Contents appear to be: Driver license Work ID ATM card for bank ATM card for credit union Health insurance card Blockbuster Video membership card A friend’s business card Casino membership card Family pictures Discount card for bookstore Sam’s club card Social Security card Vehicle insurance cards Chevron gas card Credit card Lucky red fuzzy thing Credit card receipt $8.00 cash Huh, not as much stuff as I thought would be in it. I guess I should try to get out more. ---
**Author:** ![Grok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Grok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grok)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/14 "2001-07-16T02:39:51Z")
I’ve used one for years, and feel naked without it. It contains: Wallet Keys Sharp Electronic Organizer Sunglasses Leatherman Knife Change (silver in one pocket, pennies in the other) Lighter (I don’t smoke, but it’s useful to have) Pens Drop me anywhere in the world, and if I have my fanny pack, I’ve got a fighting chance. ---
**Author:** ![south333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@south333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/south333)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/15 "2001-07-16T03:10:04Z")
I have a black purse which has inside: makeup small screw driver sun glasses cell phone tiny hairbrush lots of small change couple dollar bills matches pics of my friends old employee card auntie annie’s buy-so-many-get-one-free kinda card library card student ID card mickey mouse keychain sometimes, a camera (when there is room) sheetz free coffee coupons a bouncy ball (its fun when you get really bored) instrument repair reciept nail file nail clippers pencil employee reciepts house key bottle o’ pills (containing benodryl tylenol excedrin migraine aleve midol) feminine products I think thats everything. Amazing what one small purse can fit! ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/16 "2001-07-16T03:10:45Z")
I have a small, square-shaped Louis Vitton purse (it was a gift from my mother, or I’d’ve never bought it myself). It contains… [li]Leather checkbook cover with no checks in it - I use it for the DL and credit card compartments and throwing ATM receipts and cash into where the checks would ordinarily go.[/li][li]Vinyl checkbook cover - with checks in it.[/li][li]Small leather case that contains a manicure set.[/li][li]Altoids tin with Altoids in it.[/li][li]Altoids tin with change in it.[/li][li]1 lipstick.[/li][li]Pictures of Thomas (Spiny Norman).[/li] My keys aren’t currently in it because they get hung on the key hanger-upper-thingie the minute I walk in the front door or I’d lose them G-d knows where. (I _hate_ looking for lost keys!) But as well as my keys, it has a flashlight, a pocket knife, a whistle and a pen on it. * * * Jeg elsker dig, Thomas ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/17 "2001-07-16T03:44:47Z")
A basic black wallet with the key ring attached holds: Drivers license ATM card Health insurance cards Blockbuster Video membership card Kroger shopper discount tab Randall’s shopper discount tab Family pictures Airline employee spouses ID card (for flight priviledges) Discount card for bookstore Sam’s club card Social Security card Vehicle insurance cards Exxon gas card Credit card Chapstick Bandaid Button off the collar of one of the kids dress shirts. As yet unused “I love you” sticker A tiny post-it note with an unexpected and delightful compliment. An bigger post-it note folded with a short list of goals and lifetime experiences I’d like accomplish or experience. I almost never carry a purse. I usually have my wallet with keys attached and whatever book I am currently reading in hand. Abby ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/18 "2001-07-16T04:20:25Z")
I carry a black leather purse. At this moment I have in it: [ul] [li] driver’s license (wrong address)[/li][li] social security card[/li][li] 3 checkbooks[/li][li] 10 credit cards (even though I only use 1)[/li][li] frequent customer cards for Wolf Camera, Ivy Cottage, Hallmark, and AMC MovieWatcher[/li][li] Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance card (whatever that is?)[/li][li] Unicard (for purchasing alcohol in some DFW area restaurants and clubs)[/li][li] laminated birth certificate (just a little bigger than a credit card)[/li][li] a pen[/li][li] small pocket calendar[/li][li] 2 tampons[/li][li] hair brush[/li][li] one lipstick[/li][li] brown eyeliner[/li][li] foundation and pressed powder compact[/li][li] $2.72[/li][li] 1/2 package of Eclipse gum[/li][li] 2 free samples of Trident Advantage Mints[/li][li] USPS stamps[/li][li] a check dated 6/5/01 for $23.50 that I keep forgetting to cash[/li][li] 2 free passes to the Studio Movie Grill and 1 free pass to an AMC Theater[/li][li] Dallas Public Library card[/li][li] Frisco Public Library card[/li][li] business card for Psychics of Beale Street[/li][li] matches[/li][li] fingernail file[/li][li] a bunch of receipts[/li] and my most unusual item, [li] a bar of soap (Pikake)[/li] [/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/19 "2001-07-16T04:33:25Z")
In my backpack:[ul][li]my sketchbook[/li][li]two books about accounting for beginners[/li][li]my Psion Revo organiser, containing contacts, agenda, and a bilingual [Dictionary of Computing Terminology](http://www.esperanto.mv.ru/KompLeks/Lat1/index.html) that I downloaded[/li][li]a small stack of minidiscs[/li][li]a CD containing some really good trance MP3s that my friend ICQed to me[/li][li]a Rush CD[/li][li]my minidisc walkman[/li][li]_good_ headphones: I don’t care _how_ dorky I look like with them on, I want my music to sound good![/li][li]several file folders containing, respectively:[list][_]cartoons I’ve created or translated[/li][li]tax forms[/li][li]a draft outline of a manual I’m working on at work[/li][li]pictures from my trip to Europe last year, plus a back issure of Lumo magazine, printouts of some web pages I’m working on, some blank paper, and two letters to friends in Latvia and Ukraine that I really should finish and send[/li][li]a printed copy of [RFC 1155](http://sunsite.dk/RFC/rfc/rfc1155.html), “Structure and Identification of Management Information for TCP/IP-based Internets”[/ul][_]pens, pencils, and erasers[/li][li]a hairbrush[/li][li]a pouch containing:[ul][_]contact-lens solution[/li][li]contact-lens case[/li][li]toothbrush[/li][li]toothpaste[/li][li]dental floss[/ul][_]my [cellphone](http://www.motorola.ca/asp/english/pcs/features.asp?phone=L7089), which serves as a modem, so that when I need my Straight Dope fix, I can in a pinch use my organiser to connect to the net[/li][li]a bidirectional English/Esperanto dictionary[/li][li]A copy of “Kroata Milita Noktlibro” (Nightbook of the Croatian War) by Spomenka Stimec[/list]In my wallet:[ul][\*]a [new-style ten-dollar bill](http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/banknotes/general/character/2001_10.htm), which I’ve started to think of as my “lucky ten-dollar bill” because, while I keep it in my wallet, I feel more confident, less broke, and luckier[/li][li]other cash[/li][li]money-machine cards[/li][li]credit card[/li][li]“social insurance number” card, meant to identify me for certain federal-government programs[/li][li]a dozen of my business cards[/li][li]a dozen business cards from other people[/li][li]Bell Canada calling card (little-used now because of cellphone)[/li][li]Ontario Health Insurance Plan ID card[/li][li]Hostelling International membership card[/li][li]library card[/li][li]receipts for first and last months’ rent for new apartment, into which I will be moving in two weeks! 🙂 🙂 :)[/li][li]laminated picture of two of my best friends (no SO at this time)[/li][li]reminder of next blood-donation appointment[/li][li]driver’s licence[/ul][/li]Accompanying all this are my keys (whose ring includes a little Lego space guy I got at Legoland, plus a tag that opens the door to work), and a pouch of change. And I wonder why I get backaches… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![JustAskAnyone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JustAskAnyone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAskAnyone)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624/20 "2001-07-16T04:54:45Z")
I now carry one of those combination money clip/wallets. I followed Thoreau, “simplify, simplify, simplify.” [ul] [li]Tennesse Driver’s License[/li][li]Bank debit card[/li][li]Credit Union debit card[/li][li]Bank credit card[/li][li]Student ID[/li][li]Sear’s car[/li][li]Health Insurance card[/li][li]Kohl’s card[/li][li]Phone card[/li][li]Wal-Mart gift card[/li][/ul] I have found that is all I really need. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-wallet-or-purse/72624.md?page=2)