My Unique Wallets Blog

Times have changed.  Of course, we could talk for hours about these changes that have occured over centuries  but we will leave that to our history teachers.  However, even our somewhat recent past has vast differences from todays world.  In fact, these differences would make it nearly impossible for my grandfather who passed away in 1973 to function in this world.  Change occurs quicker than ever with the technology of today.  In my short 3 (and some) decades of life,  the world has evolved and been permanently transformed -for better or worse:  Ovens to microwaves; homecooking to drive-thrus; books to computers; landline phones to cellular phones…the list is endless.

The change I would like to talk about today is the contents of a wallets!  Forty years ago, someone’s wallet most likely held their drivers license, a checkbook, cash, coins and possibly a picture or two of their children.  The most obvious missing item of todays wallet is the credit card!  Prior to the current economy dip, we were people living above our means.   We simply swiped our credit card to charge whatever we couldn’t afford.  Some people filled their wallets with multiple cards.  While our current recession may have reduced our overuse of credit cards, our wallets are still full of them.   Unlike 40 years ago, we also have debit cards.  This has enabled us to leave behind the paper checks and pull out the handy, durable debit card.  Finally, our wallets are stuffed full of discount cards.  Almost every store offers its own discount card that is to be swiped with every purchase.  This computerizes the amount of sales made and offers discounts accordingly. 

Thus, the biggest change in todays wallet is the number of card slots offered.  Three or four slots will not do the job.  We are talking ten to twenty slots needed.  This has bec0me a problem for many.  While several wallets offer around ten card slots, many others still hold 3-5 slots.  This does not accomodate the needs of consumers of the 21st century. 

Wallet makers must step up and help!  I am happy to share with you some companies that have stepped up to the challenge providing rows of card slots for your organization and sanity!  Go to www.lodis.com to view their most recent credit card wallet.   It offers twentyish slots in a fashionable wallet in a huge selection of colors and patterns.  Also, as I have written of before, Vera Bradley has a zip around wallet full of card slots.  Of course, Vera Bradley offers these in her quilted various patters.  Go to www.verabradley.com to view your favorites.

The digital wallets are on!  Bling Nation, a company that offers a payment service, designed specifically for local and community financial institutions, has reinvented the wallet through mobile phones.  Of course, this is available at their headquarters home in Palo Alto, California and the Stanford University Campus.  Hundreds of businesses in the community are using the tap-and-pay point-of-sale services.  Consumers and students can pay for almost any purchase with their mobile phone, or their “digital wallet” using the tap-and-pay technology.

It seems that Bling Nation and PayPal are working together so that anyone with a PayPal account can sign up for a BlingTag.  No, this is not a tag covered in rhinestones to improve your fashion sense.  A BlingTag is a quarter-sized microchip sticker that adheres to the back of a mobile phone.  This allows for transactions at the point-of-sale.

What is the consensus?  Are our genuine leather wallets on their way out to make room for the future of digital wallets?  I do not believe so.  We all know the convenience and importance of cash in our pockets.  Cash is a quick exchange.  We see what we’re spending.  We pay the small business owners cash to support their businesses.  We need cash to get into the school athletic event or to buy a drink while watching the event.  Of course, cash is useful for many other situations and help secure the life of the traditional wallet.

Although, I haven’t seen a BlingTag or really understand how it operates, I believe the digital wallet is worth the investment.  In many circumstances, being able to pull out the phone to pay could be nice.  Yet, this would require us to be off the phone during a sale in order to use it for payment!

I am not sure how much time most people put into purchasing a wallet.  In fact, I believe that in many cases people put very little effort into selecting the right wallet for them.  As Americans, we put great emphasis on outward appearances.  The clothes we buy, the shoes we wear, homes we build and the lawns they sit on are important expenditures.  Of course, these are items we show off to the world every day.  Wallets?  They are not so visible and thus, just don’t get enough attention.

We all know that women often carry purses in which they store their wallets.  This most likely causes the woman to think little about whether her wallet is attractive, current or fashionable, unlike her handbag she carries.  As for the male gender, most simply don’t care what their wallet looks like and will purchase any black fold that will carry their bills.  This is why many people do not put much effort into purchasing the right wallet.  I believe this is a mistake. 

First, if we are attempting to present ourselves as confident and capable, we must be able to manage our money and show others the ease in which we do so.  Therefore, the functionality of a wallet is an absolute necessity.   When working with your banker, a new client or simply purchasing items from your favorite store you frequent, you need to handle your money smoothly and responsibly.  It will be difficult for you to do this if your wallet is stuffed full of receipts, ripping at the seams with change falling out of the coin purse.  Your wallet should be organized to your liking, having all the slots, pockets and bills for your needs.  You should be able to open your wallet and go right to the section you need to handle your business affairs without fail. 

In addition, I believe that not only the function of a wallet is important but also the appearance of a wallet.  Is it in good shape?  Is it worn?  Is it of  high fashion?  Is it modern?  Is it handmade?  Is it green?  Now, don’t misunderstand me.  I am not saying that your wallet needs to be all of these things.  But whatever you would like to communicate to others about yourself, will be done so through your wallet.  Take advantage of this fact!  You can show you are a hip, sleek salesperson up for the new position.  Or you can show that you can work with your hands and will be the perfect designer for the company.

Look at www.myuniquewallets.com to see a variety of wallets that can suit your interests!