11 Things You Should Always Carry In Your Wallet

You can't leave the house without your wallet. It's one of those indispensable everyday carry items, along with your keys and phone. Your wallet should contain all the essentials for driving, shopping, traveling, or doing anything else. Still, some items should never be kept in your billfold. Spare keys, Social Security cards, blank checks, and password cheat sheets should all be left at home.

Anything that will give away your identity to thieves is a surprising financial mistake that could set you back significantly. A blank check can be used by bad actors as well, and giving a stranger a spare key to your house along with the information on your ID card, well, that's just asking for trouble.

So, do yourself a favor and remove all those items and old receipts from your wallet so you can make room for these 11 things that you should definitely always carry with you in your wallet instead.

It's a no-brainer to carry some form of identification when you're out in public. Whether it's a driver's license, state ID, or student ID, having it on hand is crucial for proving your identity. It's required for everything from driving and buying alcohol to accessing certain buildings and services.

It's best to avoid having too many cards in your wallet, but somewhere around two credit cards is considered sufficient. If one card does not work, you want to have a backup. This is true if your primary cards are not widely accepted everywhere (think American Express or credit union cards).

A debit card allows you to access your funds directly from your bank account, making it another wallet essential. You can also use the card for direct purchases, so you'll want to include this bit of plastic on your list of must-haves.

A small card or note with your emergency contacts' phone numbers and names is essential. If something happens to you and you are incapacitated, having someone for EMS to contact is a good idea.

While we live in a world that prioritizes digital transactions, you still need to keep some greenbacks on you. Don't carry a crazy amount, but enough to cover any cash-only transactions you might encounter. Somewhere between $100-$300 (in a mix of small bills) should be good.

This applies to people living in big cities or who commute to big cities frequently. A transit card gives you access to bus and train services and saves you the hassle of buying a disposable pass every time.

If you have any health conditions or allergies, it's important to write them down or have a medical card outlining them. If EMS knows you have a preexisting condition, they can better treat you in an emergency.

Fitting a small bandage in your credit card slots is a good idea. You can use it to cover minor scrapes, cuts, or blisters. It's way better than walking around in public with a bleeding wound, and it can help keep your injury clean until you can get home to wrap it up better.

If you're a Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's Wholesale Club member, chances are you're a regular there. So, you want to make sure you have your membership card on hand to enter the store when you're in a buying mood.

Charging technology is advancing rapidly, so you can now carry a portable charger in one of your wallet's card slots. Access to a charger can help in a pinch, so snagging one of these chargers is a great idea if you have the space. Just be sure to charge the battery before you leave the house.

If you're a professional, artist, entrepreneur, or businessperson, having a few cards in your wallet is a must. You never know who you will encounter out in public, and having a card on hand to give to someone could open up many new business or creative opportunities for you.

Keeping your wallet clutter under control will save you a lot of hassle and time when looking through it for cash or your credit card. Limiting yourself to having only a few credit cards will also help you avoid overspending on multiple cards, helping you to build wealth through saving.

Just remember to avoid keeping anything personal that could be used in identity theft or give thieves easy access to your home or bank accounts.