Essential items to carry daily include a driver's license (or government photo ID), one to two credit/debit cards, some cash, and health insurance cards. To prevent identity theft, avoid carrying your Social Security card, spare keys, or unnecessary gift cards.
You should have at least one credit card, a Medicare card, a hospital card if you have one, your driver's license, an interac card and anything else that you use regularly. I make sure to have my Costco card in my wallet as well.
We recommend carrying only the essential cards—usually one main credit card, a debit card for emergencies, and government-issued identification. Storing only the essentials in a slim RFID-blocking wallet further reduces bulk and makes access easier.
Credit and Debit Cards
Carrying a backup credit card is also advisable, but limit yourself to two cards to simplify reporting in case of theft. If you only use one credit card, consider carrying a debit card as well.
Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit and debit cards and you should to carry one of each type of card. As strange as it sounds, many countries primarily accept just one of the two brands.
These are some of our top picks for best travel credit cards right now:
The 2/3/4 rule is a guideline, primarily used by Bank of America, that limits how many new credit cards you can get: no more than 2 in 30 days, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months, helping to prevent over-application and manage hard inquiries on your credit report. While not universal, it's a useful benchmark for responsible card application, though other banks have different rules (like Chase's 5/24 rule).
Sullivan says your Social Security card and any identification or documents that include your Social Security number are perfect examples of what not to keep in your wallet. Those nine digits could make it easier for a fraudster to open loans or credit card accounts in your name.
Crayons come in handy when traveling as you'd need to mark maps, signposts, and other important places. They can also be used for writing down information that you might need. Crayons can be a great way to entertain yourself when traveling.
Your Social Security card is a gateway to your identity. Carrying it in your wallet is a risk you shouldn't take. If lost or stolen, it can lead to identity theft, causing significant financial and legal problems.
You should always keep your health insurance card in a safe, but accessible place. Most people carry their health insurance card in their wallet or purse. Your insurance ID card is like a passport or driver's license, it gives you access to care and coverage.
10 Things You Should Never Carry In Your Purse Or Wallet
The core trio — knife, wallet, and phone
It can serve various purposes, such as cutting, opening packages, self-defense, and even basic survival tasks. Choose a type of knife that fits comfortably in your hand, has a strong and durable blade, and is legal to carry in your state.
With a 700 credit score (considered "Good"), you're well-positioned to get approved for most major loans like mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans with more competitive interest rates and terms than someone with a lower score, plus you'll qualify for better rewards credit cards and may even see lower insurance premiums. You can access a wide range of financial products, but to get the best rates, scores above 740-760 are often needed.
Summary. Although aluminum foil can prevent RFID signals from being read to a certain extent, it is not a reliable long-term solution. In contrast, using professional RFID blocking cards or other RFID signal-blocking products is more effective and convenient.
The 15/3 credit card payment method is a strategy to potentially boost your credit score by making two payments per billing cycle: one about 15 days before your statement closes (to lower reported utilization) and another around 3 days before the payment due date (to cover the rest and avoid late fees), though its actual impact on credit scoring is debated. It works by keeping your reported balance lower when the card issuer reports to bureaus, but experts note the specific timing isn't magical, and focusing on the reporting date is key.
Using 90% of your credit card significantly increases your credit utilization ratio, which can severely damage your credit score, signaling to lenders you might be a higher risk, potentially dropping your score by 50 points or more, and making it harder to get new credit or good interest rates. While paying it off quickly helps, experts recommend keeping utilization below 30% (ideally single digits) for a healthy score, as lenders see low usage as responsible borrowing.