Savvy Talks: The 8 Absolute Worst Things You Can Carry in Your Wallet

Take a look at your wallet.

Seriously.

If it's bulging like George Costanza's from Seinfeld, it might be time for a clean-out.

Most of us carry far more than we need. And some of those items aren't just taking up space—they could become a huge headache if your wallet is ever lost or stolen.

Here are eight things that should never make the cut.

1. Your Social Security Card

This is the biggest mistake of all.

If someone gets your Social Security number, you've just made identity theft a whole lot easier. Unless you need the card for a specific appointment that day, leave it at home in a secure place.

2. Too Many Credit Cards

How many do you actually use?

For most people, one or two is plenty.

The more cards you carry, the more accounts you'll have to freeze if your wallet disappears. And let's be honest—having a stack of credit cards in your wallet can also make overspending a little too easy.

3. A Big Wad of Cash

Carrying a little cash is smart.

Carrying hundreds of dollars? Not so much.

Unlike a credit card, cash can't be canceled or replaced. Once it's gone, it's gone.

4. A Spare House Key

This one surprises a lot of people.

If your wallet also contains your driver's license with your home address, you've just handed a thief everything they need to get into your house.

Keep that spare key somewhere else.

5. Extra Debit Cards

Debit cards pull money directly from your checking account.

Carry the one you actually use and leave the others at home. If your wallet is stolen, you'll have fewer accounts to worry about immediately locking down.

6. Passwords or Personal Information

If you've tucked a note into your wallet with passwords, PIN numbers, alarm codes, or account information...

Take it out.

Right now.

You're basically carrying an instruction manual for identity thieves.

7. Gift Cards

People don't think of gift cards as money.

They should.

A wallet stuffed with gift cards is the same as carrying around a pile of cash. Bring the one you're planning to use and leave the rest at home.8. Blank Checks

Checks contain your name, address, routing number, and bank account number.

A blank check is even worse.

Don't make it easy for scammers to gain access to your financial information.

So What Should You Carry?

Your wallet doesn't need to be bursting at the seams.

For most people, the essentials are:

• Your driver's license

• One debit card

• One or two credit cards

• Your health insurance card (if needed)

• A small amount of cash

That's it.

Everything else is just extra risk.

The Bottom Line

Cleaning out your wallet takes about five minutes.

If it ever gets lost or stolen, those five minutes could save you months of stress, canceled accounts, and identity theft headaches.

So go check your wallet.

If there's anything in there that would make an identity thief smile... it's time for it to go.