Our wallets may be bulky, but they tell a story: we plan, we prepare, and we know the value of having a Plan B (and C).
I was at a coffee shop last week, fumbling through my wallet to find my credit card, when the twenty-something barista noticed my collection of loyalty cards spilling out.
"Wow, you're prepared for everything!" she laughed. As I stuffed my AAA card, library card, and various pharmacy rewards cards back into their slots, I realized something: the contents of our wallets tell a story about our generation.
After working in finance for nearly two decades, I've learned that what people carry says a lot about their priorities, habits, and yes, their age. Those of us who've crossed the half-century mark tend to have certain items that younger folks find quaint, unnecessary, or downright puzzling.
So let's have some fun with this. If you're wondering whether you've officially joined the over-50 club, check your wallet or purse. Do you recognize yourself in this list?
1. A checkbook (yes, actual paper checks)
When was the last time someone under 40 wrote you a check? Exactly.
Yet many of us still carry checkbooks, and we're not apologizing for it. Sure, we use Venmo and Zelle, but there's something reassuring about having checks on hand.
Maybe it's for that one vendor at the farmer's market who only takes cash or checks. Or perhaps it's the landscaper who gives you a discount for paying by check.
During my years as a financial analyst, I watched the shift from paper to digital payments. But I also witnessed the 2008 financial crisis firsthand and saw how quickly digital systems can fail. Having a backup payment method isn't paranoia; it's practical wisdom earned through experience.
2. Business cards (the paper kind)
Remember when exchanging business cards was an art form? The subtle reach into your jacket pocket, the confident handoff, the respectful examination of the other person's card?
While millennials and Gen Z folks bump phones or scan QR codes, many of us still carry a neat stack of business cards. We've invested in quality cardstock, thoughtful design, and we genuinely believe there's value in that tangible exchange.
A colleague recently told me she keeps business cards specifically for networking with other professionals our age. "They appreciate it," she said. "It shows you take yourself seriously." And honestly? She's right.
3. Multiple loyalty cards for stores
CVS ExtraCare, Walgreens Balance Rewards, Kroger Plus, Safeway Club, that punch card from your local sandwich shop where you're perpetually one sandwich away from a free one.
Our wallets are thick with loyalty cards, and we're not ashamed. We remember when these programs actually meant something, when the discounts were substantial and the rewards were worth tracking.
Younger folks might rely on phone apps for everything, but we know that technology fails. Meanwhile, that physical card always works.
Plus, there's satisfaction in presenting that card and watching the total drop. Those savings add up, and after years of managing finances, we understand the power of compound savings, even on groceries.
4. Photos (actual printed ones)
In the age of smartphones with 50,000 photos, carrying printed pictures might seem obsolete. But flip open many wallets belonging to the over-50 crowd, and you'll find them: actual photographs.
Maybe it's a graduation photo of your kids from years ago, or that perfect shot from your 25th anniversary trip. These aren't just images; they're talismans. They're from a time when photos were precious because film was finite and developing cost money. We chose carefully what to print and what to carry.
I keep one photo in my wallet from a hiking trip I took right after paying off my student loans at 35. It reminds me that patience and persistence pay off. No phone battery required.
5. Medical insurance cards (plural)
If you're carrying multiple insurance cards, including dental, vision, prescription, and maybe a Medicare card, welcome to the club.
We've learned that healthcare gets complicated after 50, and having all your cards handy isn't pessimistic, it's prepared.
We've also learned not to rely solely on digital copies. That moment when the doctor's office wifi is down and they need your insurance information, we're ready. We've got the physical card, probably protected in a clear plastic sleeve because we're careful like that.
6. AAA or other roadside assistance membership card
Younger people might wonder why we need a physical AAA card when there's an app. But we remember pre-cell phone breakdowns. We understand that phones die, service fails, and sometimes you need that membership number readily available.
Besides, that AAA card represents more than roadside assistance. It's peace of mind. It's the knowledge that we've planned for problems. It's a small insurance policy that says, "I've been around long enough to know things go wrong."
7. Emergency cash (including actual bills)
While younger generations operate in an increasingly cashless society, we keep cash. Not just a twenty for emergencies, but real money. Different denominations. Maybe even a fifty or a hundred tucked behind the credit cards.
This isn't about being old-fashioned. We've lived through power outages, network failures, and times when only cash would do. We've been places where cards weren't accepted, where ATMs were broken, where cash was king.
During my monthly "money dates" where I review my finances, I always ensure I have adequate cash on hand. It's a habit formed from experience, not paranoia.
8. A written list of important phone numbers
When your phone dies, can you call anyone? If you're over 50, the answer is probably yes, because tucked somewhere in your wallet is a small piece of paper with important phone numbers written down.
We remember having to memorize phone numbers. We remember phone books and Rolodexes. And we're practical enough to know that technology isn't infallible.
That little list might include your spouse's cell, your kids' numbers, your doctor, maybe your insurance company. It's our analog backup system, and we're not giving it up.
A friend recently locked herself out of her phone and couldn't access any contacts. "I felt completely helpless," she told me.
If she had this little list in her purse, this wouldn't have been a problem. Sometimes the old ways still work best.
Final thoughts
Looking through this list, you might be laughing at how many items you recognize in your own wallet. Or maybe you're realizing you've officially joined the over-50 club without noticing.
Here's what I've learned: these items aren't just generational markers. They represent hard-won wisdom about preparedness, the value of backup plans, and the understanding that newer isn't always better. We've lived through enough technological transitions to know that the old reliable methods still have their place.
So go ahead, keep that checkbook. Hold onto those business cards. Maintain that emergency cash stash. These aren't signs that we're behind the times; they're evidence that we've learned from experience.
After all, when the wifi goes down, the power fails, or the app crashes, guess who's still able to pay for their coffee, call for help, and show pictures of their grandkids? That's right, those of us with the "overstuffed" wallets full of "unnecessary" items.
And honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way.
