Question: Could you help me clean out this wallet? Do I really need all that stuff in there?

Answer: I would love to look into that wallet and see what interesting stuff is in there! But I will not clean out your wallet. Here is some advice. This advice applies to BOTH men and women. So pull out those wallets and purses.

First, clear off a spot on the table then dump or take everything out of your wallet/purse. Next sort out the things you must carry; your driver’s license or ID; your insurance cards; your cash; your credit cards (that you are currently using); your emergency contacts (ideally Health Care Proxy) and your list of current medications. Place these items back in your wallet/purse after you’ve checked to be sure they are current and not expired. Check your medication list. Is it up to date? Are your emergency contact numbers/addresses still accurate?

What is still laying there on your table? Those little pieces of paper with phone numbers, addresses, and names on it? Could you use a small notebook for this information, or a list of these numbers on a bigger piece of paper, that would be easier to keep track of? Maybe you don’t even remember who these people are and why they are there? The appointment cards, do you have those dates written on a calendar so you remember to go? Your credit card receipts, put them in your files, after you match them to your credit card bill.

How about those membership cards, you know the AAA, the Legion, the NRA, AARP, Library cards, etc. How many of each of those do you have? Do you really need four (4) AARP cards in your wallet? I know they send you that many, but you don’t have to carry them all with you. Keep the most current, put an extra one in your files as a back-up, and then destroy the rest.

I bet that pile of stuff on the table is much smaller. The rest is maybe stuff that at one time you needed in your wallet/purse, but you probably don’t need it there all the time. Put it in your files or the kitchen junk drawer or throw it away. Doesn’t that feel better? Now when you go to find a card in your wallet, you will be able to. We all put stuff in there and then never remove it. We should make this a semi-annual event don’t you think?

A few more tips, photocopy the front and back of all your credit cards. That way if they get lost you know what credit cards you have and how to contact the companies. Put the photocopies in a lockbox or in your files.

I knew someone who kept all their credit cards bound with a rubber band. This made me crazy?!?! Every time they tried to find the one they wanted to use, they had to get out the bound pile and sort through them. This could lead to you leaving one or more on the counter or the floor around you. I advised that person to get a credit card holder, which would keep them more secure in your purse, and while using them at a cash register. Credit card holders are a very good way of keeping cards organized, safe, and accessible. Now that zippered holder keeps them all together and visible when you unzip it to find the one you want.

I also want to say a smaller wallet, or lighter purse will be helpful to your back, hips, and shoulders. The added weight and bulk of those items is hard on your body.

So celebrate this easy weight loss method! If only all the weight we needed to loose came off that quickly. … Enjoy the lighter load!

Senior Life Matters is a community based program sponsored by Lutheran Jamestown. For questions and concerns or to reach Janell Sluga, GCMC, call 716-720-9797 or email SLM@lutheran-jamestown.org.