We carry our lives in our wallets. They are filled with our most intimate information, and digging through someone’s can be almost more revealing than snooping in their medicine cabinet. Tucked among the credit cards and driver's licenses, there are bits of memorabilia, personal effects, and little details that share so much about who we are.
That said, your wallet probably doesn’t reveal much about your actual financial health. Surely, there are millionaires who never carry cash, and then those struggling to stay above the poverty line who have half a dozen credit cards. But we were curious: Is there a correlation between your personal wealth and your wallet?
Ahead, we asked five women to open up their wallets and spill the contents for the world to see. Then we took things a step further and asked them personal questions about their financial lives. The result is an illuminating look at the financial realities of five women, credit card debt and all.
How much cash do you have in your wallet? $1
How many credit cards? One credit card and one debit card.
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? I’m lame, nothing silly.
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? My driver's license because that would be a pain to replace!
Do you have student loan debt? Yes
How much? I graduated with $57K in student loans. Nine years later, at $328 a month, I'm at $10,000.
Do you have credit card debt? Yes
How much? $2,800
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? $2,600
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? My partner and I just moved in together, and we have no furniture or kitchen items. I really want a Vitamix.
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? Paying down my student loan debt, even if it’s not all the way gone yet.
What’s your biggest money fear? I used to have about $7K in credit card debt and I never want that to happen again. As long as I feel I have more money saved then I have in debt, I feel good.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I would start a nonprofit that could employ me and every talented person I know. I like to think I wouldn't change my lifestyle so much, but would maybe find one or two smalls areas of life where I would quietly indulge.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? Besides travel, I just bought the nicest mattress. I found the best one in the store, which was $2,600, and asked for one down from that. I got the "Shakespeare" for about $1,350 all in. I've had very romantic sleeps ever since.
How much cash do you have in your wallet? $172
How many credit cards? Three credit cards and two debit cards.
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? Nothing silly.
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? I wouldn’t be upset to lose any of it, beyond the annoyance of replacing the cards and IDs.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? $50,000 in savings; $100,000 in retirement funds.
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? New windows and siding for my house.
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? Owning two homes.
What’s your biggest money fear? Saving enough to retire.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I’d pay off both my mortgages and buy a fixer-upper to flip.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? Other than a house? Our car, which cost $3,200.
How much cash do you have in your wallet? $150-ish (I hate being that person who doesn't have cash and is annoying about it, so I kind of hoard dollars and make a point to pay with cash when I can.)
How many credit cards do you have? Four credit cards and one debit card.
What’s the funniest thing you have in your wallet? A cute funny picture of my brother in like seventh grade. I'm not sure why I have it or when I got it but it makes me laugh!
Is there anything in your wallet you’d be upset to lose? Everything is replaceable, although I'd be sad to lose the funny and random pictures of my friends and family that I've collected.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? A decent amount, but I don’t feel comfortable disclosing.
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? I’m saving for my emergency fund, and maybe a vacation or life hiatus where I travel the world Eat, Pray, Love-style.
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? The raise that I got this year. I feel it was very deserved and justified, but I really had to work hard to make my case, and it was nice to get the confirmation that I am valued at my company.
What’s your biggest money fear? Honestly, I am in tune with my finances on a more top-line level and need to dig in more about how to plan ahead. I am very lucky that I have family that can act as advisors or guides on important financial decisions, but I need to be more independent and get over my Peter Pan syndrome.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I don't even mean this as BS, but I would donate a large part of it to a few different charities. Right now I don't have the means to make large charitable donations but I always try to when I can — even $25 just so I can help in some way.
I would treat my family to something amazing because they are the most important people in my life and I owe them everything. And then on a more shallow level, I would definitely have a personal trainer three times a week and a masseuse on the reg. And I would leave generous tips as much as possible, because most days I try to remind myself that a few extra dollars might mean more to them than it does to me.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? Probably a trip to Greece that I took with some friends last summer (tickets, hotel and expenses combined). But worth every cent!
How much cash do you have in your wallet? $27
How many credit cards? Three
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? My college ID, which I still try to use for student tickets. (I graduated 10 years ago).
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? That college ID.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? $40,000
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? My retirement? Haha. (I don't have a 401(k).)
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? My savings account, so far.
What’s your biggest money fear? That I'm going to get into a terrible accident and all my money will be used for medical expenses. Or, that my identity will be stolen and all my money will be gone.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I would make a movie.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? My laptop! It's a refurbished MacBook Air that I bought for about $800.
How much cash do you have in your wallet? $79
How many credit cards? Three
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? Costco membership card. I live in a 300-square-foot apartment, so I can't possibly buy anything there that will fit in my apartment. But I am in love with the concept of Costco — of having hoards of toilet paper and paper towels at my disposal. That feels so luxe in my mind.
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? Costco membership card.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? My husband is amazing at saving. I have stock, and a 401(k) investment account of about $80K. That's without my husband's savings.
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? House!!!!
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? Maxing out my 401(k) contribution last year.
What’s your biggest money fear? Not being in the know of what to truly do with my money. I don't know how to invest or maximize stuff or take advantage of anything. I have investment FOMO.
What would you do if you won the lottery? First, I would take the winnings out in yearly increments, not the lump sum. Then, I'd move out to San Francisco and buy an amazing house with a view of the Bay. Help my sister and her family out. Stop mooching off my parents. Take my entire family on a super luxe amazing vacation (African safari, wine tour, Cape Town, great white shark diving). And finally, go on an insane shopping spree at Costco and stock my new house with a lifetime supply of toilet paper, paper towels, and ketchup.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? My first car, a Prius. But I lived in San Francisco at the time and had an insane commute. It was $18K(used but certified pre-owned, haha).
This month, we're asking you to toss out everything you thought you knew about spring cleaning and give every corner of your life a refresh. The inspiration for a happier, clutter-free you is right this way.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Are Fortune's Best Workplaces The Best For Women?
Who Is Your Famous Birthday Twin?
A Week In Iowa City On A $46K Salary
That said, your wallet probably doesn’t reveal much about your actual financial health. Surely, there are millionaires who never carry cash, and then those struggling to stay above the poverty line who have half a dozen credit cards. But we were curious: Is there a correlation between your personal wealth and your wallet?
Ahead, we asked five women to open up their wallets and spill the contents for the world to see. Then we took things a step further and asked them personal questions about their financial lives. The result is an illuminating look at the financial realities of five women, credit card debt and all.
Marketing Director Who Makes $50,000 And Lives With Her Partner
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. How much cash do you have in your wallet? $1
How many credit cards? One credit card and one debit card.
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? I’m lame, nothing silly.
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? My driver's license because that would be a pain to replace!
Do you have student loan debt? Yes
How much? I graduated with $57K in student loans. Nine years later, at $328 a month, I'm at $10,000.
Do you have credit card debt? Yes
How much? $2,800
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? $2,600
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? My partner and I just moved in together, and we have no furniture or kitchen items. I really want a Vitamix.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? Paying down my student loan debt, even if it’s not all the way gone yet.
What’s your biggest money fear? I used to have about $7K in credit card debt and I never want that to happen again. As long as I feel I have more money saved then I have in debt, I feel good.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I would start a nonprofit that could employ me and every talented person I know. I like to think I wouldn't change my lifestyle so much, but would maybe find one or two smalls areas of life where I would quietly indulge.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? Besides travel, I just bought the nicest mattress. I found the best one in the store, which was $2,600, and asked for one down from that. I got the "Shakespeare" for about $1,350 all in. I've had very romantic sleeps ever since.
Married Editor Who Lives In NYC With Her Husband And Kids
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0007]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. How much cash do you have in your wallet? $172
How many credit cards? Three credit cards and two debit cards.
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? Nothing silly.
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? I wouldn’t be upset to lose any of it, beyond the annoyance of replacing the cards and IDs.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? $50,000 in savings; $100,000 in retirement funds.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0001]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? New windows and siding for my house.
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? Owning two homes.
What’s your biggest money fear? Saving enough to retire.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I’d pay off both my mortgages and buy a fixer-upper to flip.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? Other than a house? Our car, which cost $3,200.
A Single Public Relations Exec Living In New York City
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0009]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. How much cash do you have in your wallet? $150-ish (I hate being that person who doesn't have cash and is annoying about it, so I kind of hoard dollars and make a point to pay with cash when I can.)
How many credit cards do you have? Four credit cards and one debit card.
What’s the funniest thing you have in your wallet? A cute funny picture of my brother in like seventh grade. I'm not sure why I have it or when I got it but it makes me laugh!
Is there anything in your wallet you’d be upset to lose? Everything is replaceable, although I'd be sad to lose the funny and random pictures of my friends and family that I've collected.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? A decent amount, but I don’t feel comfortable disclosing.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0003]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? I’m saving for my emergency fund, and maybe a vacation or life hiatus where I travel the world Eat, Pray, Love-style.
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? The raise that I got this year. I feel it was very deserved and justified, but I really had to work hard to make my case, and it was nice to get the confirmation that I am valued at my company.
What’s your biggest money fear? Honestly, I am in tune with my finances on a more top-line level and need to dig in more about how to plan ahead. I am very lucky that I have family that can act as advisors or guides on important financial decisions, but I need to be more independent and get over my Peter Pan syndrome.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I don't even mean this as BS, but I would donate a large part of it to a few different charities. Right now I don't have the means to make large charitable donations but I always try to when I can — even $25 just so I can help in some way.
I would treat my family to something amazing because they are the most important people in my life and I owe them everything. And then on a more shallow level, I would definitely have a personal trainer three times a week and a masseuse on the reg. And I would leave generous tips as much as possible, because most days I try to remind myself that a few extra dollars might mean more to them than it does to me.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? Probably a trip to Greece that I took with some friends last summer (tickets, hotel and expenses combined). But worth every cent!
Single Freelance Writer Making $57,000 A Year
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0010]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. How much cash do you have in your wallet? $27
How many credit cards? Three
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? My college ID, which I still try to use for student tickets. (I graduated 10 years ago).
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? That college ID.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? $40,000
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? My retirement? Haha. (I don't have a 401(k).)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0002]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? My savings account, so far.
What’s your biggest money fear? That I'm going to get into a terrible accident and all my money will be used for medical expenses. Or, that my identity will be stolen and all my money will be gone.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I would make a movie.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? My laptop! It's a refurbished MacBook Air that I bought for about $800.
Married Executive Assistant Earning $100,000 A Year
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0006]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. How much cash do you have in your wallet? $79
How many credit cards? Three
What’s the silliest thing you keep in your wallet? Costco membership card. I live in a 300-square-foot apartment, so I can't possibly buy anything there that will fit in my apartment. But I am in love with the concept of Costco — of having hoards of toilet paper and paper towels at my disposal. That feels so luxe in my mind.
What in your wallet would you be most upset to lose? Costco membership card.
Do you have student loan debt? No
Do you have credit card debt? No
Do you have a savings account? Yes
How much have you saved? My husband is amazing at saving. I have stock, and a 401(k) investment account of about $80K. That's without my husband's savings.
What big-ticket item (a house, vacation, emergency fund) are you saving for? House!!!!
What’s your biggest financial accomplishment? Maxing out my 401(k) contribution last year.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![160223_R29_0005]()
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler.
Clik here to view.
Photography by James Tolich; Prop Styling by Lucas Lefler. What’s your biggest money fear? Not being in the know of what to truly do with my money. I don't know how to invest or maximize stuff or take advantage of anything. I have investment FOMO.
What would you do if you won the lottery? First, I would take the winnings out in yearly increments, not the lump sum. Then, I'd move out to San Francisco and buy an amazing house with a view of the Bay. Help my sister and her family out. Stop mooching off my parents. Take my entire family on a super luxe amazing vacation (African safari, wine tour, Cape Town, great white shark diving). And finally, go on an insane shopping spree at Costco and stock my new house with a lifetime supply of toilet paper, paper towels, and ketchup.
What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a purchase? My first car, a Prius. But I lived in San Francisco at the time and had an insane commute. It was $18K(used but certified pre-owned, haha).
This month, we're asking you to toss out everything you thought you knew about spring cleaning and give every corner of your life a refresh. The inspiration for a happier, clutter-free you is right this way.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Are Fortune's Best Workplaces The Best For Women?
Who Is Your Famous Birthday Twin?
A Week In Iowa City On A $46K Salary