Are flat cardholders really useful?

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#16
I think a flat cardholder is useful as an extra thing in your wallet. I use mine for lunch runs and sometimes if I carry a very large wallet I put the card holder in the wallet so I can store my credit and debit cards, ID and social security card plus a couple of other cards with other vital information. That way I can easily grab my essential cards if I change into a tiny bag or run out for lunch etc.
I don't think I could survive carrying just a flat card holder - I have to have so many cards with me and the amount hasn't really gotten any smaller since having a stroke I have to have my ICE card, medication info and insurance card with me at all times. My minimum amount I would take on a work day would be 9 cards and that amount makes a flat card holder bulge so bad. Also you have to be SO careful on where you place the card holder in your bag so you don't have to panic every time when you don't find it.

My favorite card holders these days are LV Empreinte Clés and Furla Babylon card holder which both can carry all of my cards and cash. They are also a bit bigger so they don't completely vanish into my bag.
 
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#19
BlueCherry said:
So having used big wallets all the time I decided to by a flat cardholder. It's been a few weeks of using it and I have discovered the following:

  • When I nip into the shop for food I take the debit card out of the cardholder because it's easier to carry and I don't need my credit card or licence with me
  • I spend ages rummaging in my usually medium size bags for it before I can find it. That results in me not popping my card back in after the shop because I get fed up looking for it. Then I walk out with it layer on and gasp when I think I've lost my card
  • I keep £20-£40 in cash in the middle folded up tiny. I have to take it out to count it and when I need more cash (eg. hairdresser doesn't take card payments) I have nowhere to put the cash I ve just drawn out
  • My receipts end up loose thrown around my bag or end up getting lost in pockets because they are not all in my big sensible wallet as usual
  • I pop out somewhere with just my cardholder to find I need a coin to park. This is ok as I keep coins in the car but I'm often a passenger in someone else's car who happens to not have a coin
  • When I transfer to a mini bag I end up grabbing the debit card only to save space and put it i the slip pocket with cash and coins
  • I walk out with the whole cardholder just because I feel I should use it, end up paying cash for something, have no pockets in my clothes and a handful of coins I was given back in change
I must learn not to be seduced by all these beautiful card holders on tPF because I'm a boring stuck in the mud who just likes a sensible wallet that caters for everything. Anyway off to list on eBay.....:biggrin:
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Very interesting perspective! Thank you for posting this because I think it’s important to have different points of view. I just like to keep one small wallet for all my bags as it’s way too much hassle to keep transferring things. Then mini bags became de rigueur and I got a small card holder which I use periodically.
In London so many places do not accept cash so a card is essential. Different lifestyle demands different accessories but easy to get seduced and buy useless items.
 
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#20
I’ve found cardholders to be very useful. I carry 2 in my bag daily. One for business cards and the other for store credit cards. It’s also very handy in my smaller purses. I still use a compact wallet for everything else including debit cards, cash, coins, receipts, etc.
 
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#21
I use my Monogram Eclipse regular card holder for my id, metrocard and cash; and my calvi for business cards and other cards. Works great for me. My wallets are all languishing.
 
#22
They are if you live in Sweden! Sweden is moving towards to be a cashless country, I think it's mostly older people who use cash here nowadays. I don't even remember when I handled cash last time. So only cardholders for me!
P.S. Helps to save money on SLG as well :biggrin:
 
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