RetireJapan

Browsing around, I came across this--by one of those financial commentators that I don't really like but that I sometimes do scan thru when bored. Anyway, this is the idea:

Your wallet ... is "a picture of your life." It especially reflects how you think about money and manage your finances.

I travel light: Small bi-fold from mont-bell, nylon mesh so that it dries easily when I sweat (doesn't stain like leather). Thinnest I've found for a back pocket, no metal snaps/zippers/emblems that would be lumpy.

Not much in it. Driver's license, gaijin card, copy of health insurance card, a car insurance contact card (number to call in an accident), copies of my My Number card (to have the number on hand) and of my 傷害者手帳 (too fat to carry everywhere). Points cards for two stores (little used).

I only carry money in it when cycling--bills/change then go in it, and then that goes in a waist pouch. (No pockets in cycling shorts, some jerseys do have them.) Other than this, money typically goes in a regular pocket.

***

How about you?

Mine is a fake Yves St Laurent which looks leather but probably isn’t, bought for a pittance in Bangkok 28 years ago. It is falling apart in myriad ways though still just functional and I have been meaning to replace it for at least 15 years.

I think I hate that financial commentator.

Generic black leather wallet, ridiculously fat and stuffed with all sorts of crap I probably don't need. Try to keep at least several thousand yen in cash in there despite using credit cards for as much as I can.

Beaglehound wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 12:33 pm Mine is a fake Yves St Laurent which looks leather but probably isn’t, bought for a pittance in Bangkok 28 years ago. It is falling apart in myriad ways though still just functional and I have been meaning to replace it for at least 15 years.
...

Bought for a pittance, and kept for 28 years? Still functional? Altho most guys hardly ever change/replace their wallets, this could be looked at really positively.

If it were a car, it'd be an unflashy model, cheap tho new, that you'd driven almost forever, and that you're still nursing along and getting the most out of it that you can.

I like that. (But then, you don't say what's in it. )

RetireJapan wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 10:53 pm Generic black leather wallet, ridiculously fat and stuffed with all sorts of crap I probably don't need. Try to keep at least several thousand yen in cash in there despite using credit cards for as much as I can.

I wonder if Kondo Marie has ever taken on a wallet...

Too many irons in the fire, old stuff held onto for too long? Does it kind of reflect an investment strategy--or lack of one?

Sorry, just playing/riffing on that quote, above.

captainspoke wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 11:55 pm

Beaglehound wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2020 12:33 pm Mine is a fake Yves St Laurent which looks leather but probably isn’t, bought for a pittance in Bangkok 28 years ago. It is falling apart in myriad ways though still just functional and I have been meaning to replace it for at least 15 years.
...

Bought for a pittance, and kept for 28 years? Still functional? Altho most guys hardly ever change/replace their wallets, this could be looked at really positively.

If it were a car, it'd be an unflashy model, cheap tho new, that you'd driven almost forever, and that you're still nursing along and getting the most out of it that you can.

I like that. (But then, you don't say what's in it. )

Around 5000yen, resident card, two supermarket points cards and, for some reason, my wife’s credit card. So not a lot in other words. Probably why it has lasted so long.

captainspoke wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 12:02 am Does it kind of reflect an investment strategy--or lack of one?

Hey, I resemble that comment!

I had the same fat black leather wallet which I bought in Kichijoji when I first came to Japan 15 years ago but I just bought a new super thin leather front pocket wallet as I realized that my recent lower back problems were due to sitting on a fat wallet in my back pocket (doh!). I am trying to cut down but I carry 3 credit cards, 3 bank cards, gaijin card, drivers license, ETC card and car sharing card and I usually try to keep 3-4 man in cash on me for emergencies.

I carry my credit card, Gaijin card and health insurance as well as 10,000JPY in cash that I barely ever use (usually use ~3,000 a month in cash, I fully embraced the cashless trend)
That's all.
So my wallet is very thin and can carry 3 cards max. It's more of a card holder really, it doesn't even fold

Simple and minimalist, like my life and my investments

This is my wallet. I kickstarted it, cause I was looking for a thin bifold that was going to stand up to the profuse amount of sweat I produce in summer. Can't remember when I got it, but it's been doing a good job so far.