Ask the Readers: When Was the Last Time You Cleaned Out Your Wallet?

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Lisa, Marcus, and juggler314 for winning this week's contest!

Wallets. Almost everyone has one. Most people use their wallet to carry around cash, credit or debit cards, and their drivers license. Some people will store receipts and notes in theirs. Regardless of what you keep in your wallet, chances are there are things in your wallet you can either store somewhere else or throw away.

When was the last time you cleaned out your wallet? Do you have things in your wallet right now you could get rid of? 

Tell us when you last cleaned out your wallet and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook "Likes", and another one for random tweets.

Mandatory Entry: 

  • Post your answer in the comments below 

For extra entries (1 per action):

  • Go to our Facebook page, "Like" us, and leave a comment on this article telling us you did, or
  • Tweet your answer. You have to be a follower of our @wisebread account. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it. Leave a link to your tweet (click the timestamp for the individual URL) in a separate comment.

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, September 24th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after September 24th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
  • You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

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Guest's picture
Cindy D

The last time I cleaned out my wallet was just two days ago - it wasn't fitting properly into my purse so I suspected I needed to remove some items. Lots of extra receipts, coupons, business cards. Now the wallet is nice and thin again.

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Cindy D

I've already liked your fb page :)

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ron b.

I cleaned/transferred my old wallet to a new metal encased (protective of scan on credit cards) one last year...

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Guest

The last time I cleaned my wallet was THIS MORNING, after reading this post! But I still need to photocopy contents for my home files, in case of theft. Thanks!

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Renee S

I cleaned mine out a few days ago because I also switched (and cleaned out) my purse!

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Renee S

also, I liked you on fbook!

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marcus

I got so tired of all the receipts, notes, and cards after going to the store yesterday. So I asked my girlfriend to drive home so I could organize it. :-)

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take_flight

I haven't cleaned out my wallet in a while and I'm sure it needs it!

Guest's picture

I actually cleaned out my wallet about two weeks ago. It was getting bulky and I found there were a few credit cards that I no longer used, so I moved them out. I don't need them taking up space, considering I needed another card slot for my new credit union card.

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Lani C

I clean my wallet out each time I get my car insurance paperwork. But I also remove all my recpts daily. :)

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Ken Gesser

The last time that I cleaned out my wallet was when I received a new wallet for my birthday. I found several receipts, some old business cards and some lint

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Nicholas

My wallet is pretty clean, I don't like it getting to big.
Currently I don' think there is anything in it that I would get rid of.

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Nicholas

I have wisebread liked on facebook.

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Christie

I'm in the process of moving to a smaller wallet, of course, the process has taken months thus far because the smaller one doesn't have enough pockets for everything! But I have been cleaning it out every 2 or 3 weeks for a long time now. Got to make sure that nothing gets overlooked!

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Tim

Once a week...my minimalist Wallet requires it and my back loves the non-Costanza wallet :)

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Megan

I keep a thin wallet because I don't like a bunch of junk in it, and I took one card I wasn't really using out last week.

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Brenda Faulkner

Let's put it this way - I have a license that expired in 1987, so I don't know the last time:)

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Brenda Faulkner

I like you on Facebook!

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Michelle

I actually just cleaned mine out the other day! So much trash.

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Christie

Commented and liked on Facebook too!

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chris

Just about a month ago - I changed wallets. Nothing to "clean out" though - I don't carry much of anything, just the necessities.

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chris

I already "like" Wise Bread on FB!

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Monica

I cleaned out my wallet last week.

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Monica

I like you guys on facebook!

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Roxy

I actually did it about 2 weeks ago, it was so full I couldn't get anything else in it. I have so many cards from every store you go to, it is very aggravating!

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Betty

I don't really use a wallet, but a purse with pockets. Cleaning it out is a major chore. I usually do it when I get a new purse, or my shoulder hurts!

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Betty

I liked you and your post on Facebook.

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Hemanth Pallavajula

I cleared my wallet before labor day weekend, before embarking on to my weekend trip.

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Lanieekat

I actually cleaned my wallet and purse yesterday, but only because a cookie in my purse that I forgot was in there got all smashed up, otherwise it may have been weeks before I would go through my wallet.

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Gail Luther

I partially clean it out of receipts every week but a couple of times a year, I completely clean it out.

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Kimber

I just dit that 2 days ago when I switched to my winter purse.

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Lanieekat

I like your facebook page and I liked the post.

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KelR1

I clean mine out constantly, because I hate carrying around more stuff than I have to. As soon as I get home from the store, receipts get shredded or filed away.

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KelR1

Like you on FB.

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EllePS

Yesterday. But of course that's only because I haven't gotten to it today yet! I can't really function through the day unless all the bills are accounted for and in order. I'm on a tight budget and need to know what cash is on hand at any given time. Everything else is streamlined anyway.

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Sarah

Last week. I have a large wallet for everyday and a small wristlet for going out, so transferring money and cards forces you to keep things neat.

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Guest

I clean out my wallet weekly. Outward clutter creates clutter in my mind!

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Guest

I clean out my wallet all the time. I always end up with random junk in my wallet like receipts and stuff that need to be cleaned out.

Kyle Bumpus's picture

I'm pretty OCD so I clean it out every few weeks. I don't like having old receipts in there, just cash money!

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Lanieekat
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About a week ago.

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Rusty

I cleaned my wallet out about 2 years ago. I don't put alot in it, so i think it good.

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Rissa

I use a tiny little zipper pouch which forces me to clean it out about once a week.

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Monica P

I last cleaned out my wallet before going on vacation in April, since I don't need to take my punch cards out of the country. I use a change purse for a wallet, so it has to stay organized!

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Monica P

I like WiseBread on Facebook!

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Dagny

I cleaned out my wallet last month, and I clean it out every time I add a new card of any sort. Usually it's just the basics, a hankie and some business cards but it's a long trifold so it all stays very organized.

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Dagny

I also liked the Wisebread Facebook page!

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Pamela

I have no need to clean out my wallet. It's only a small change purse with a slot for my license and credit card so I can't clutter it up in the first place.

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Guest

The last time I cleaned my wallet out was this morning. I try to do it every couple of weeks. I keep all my receipts from credit card purchases in there and the wallet starts to get thick.

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Kate

Yikes-the last time I cleaned out my wallet was probably about a year ago!

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Scott

Last time I cleaned out my wallet? I believe that was at Christmas when I got a new wallet! I don't look forward to cleaning out this wallet since it's a lot bigger!

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Lisa

My wallet is long overdue for a cleaning~!

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jsreilly

The last time I cleaned out my wallet was last night! I was looking for a specific receipt from lunch time while I was doing my personal budget! :)

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Guest

I clean out my wallet at least once a week! I make a lot of purchases for my job, so I accumulate receipts and change rather quickly. To help keep things organized and to help keep my purse light, I have to clean out my wallet every few days. With that, the last time I cleaned out my wallet was last night!

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lostAnnfound

Last week. I usually check it at the end of each week for any receipts that need to be recorded.

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Arthur

Cleaned out my wallet last week.

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Ellen B

It's on my list of things to do - but probably two months ago

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Ellen B

I follow on facebook

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Ellen B

https://twitter.com/elliebunny24/status/248154669061378050
on my first comment answering the question I got an error about the capcha - hope it went through to you

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Margaret Davis

I make a habit of cleaning out both mine and my husband's (with his permission) wallets once a week to add any appointments to the household calendar, make sure I have all the receipts for both business and personal transactions, add any business card contacts to our database, etc. I also take the time to pull/replace outdated membership cards, insurance info or whatever else may be shoved in there. Both DH and I carry a traditional billfold so it really helps since we are both trained that everything goes in the wallet.

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Mia

Just two days ago, I usually clean up my wallet every week.

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Elena

I cleaned it a few weeks ago

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Elena

I like you on Facebook

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Jen watt

Last month.

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Candice

I cleaned out my wallet this weekend to go through receipts for our budget spreadsheet. (I had fallen behind for a few days.)

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MELISSA HANSSON

I clean out my wallet about once a week. Same with my purse. I'm pretty anal about it.

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Guest

I seem to clean out my wallet almost every time I put money in it. It just goes. My wife often helps me in this chore. She's even better at cleaning it out than I am. My wallet is always on the thin side. Which is good for my profile. I never did like a fat wallet.

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DeeDee

Two weeks ago

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Therese

I don't keep much in my wallet anymore, but the last time I cleaned it out was when I went on vacation in July.

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juggler314

Wallet? I just keep a few cards and some cash together with a rubber band, I remove any receipts as often as possible to keep it as thin as possible.

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steph

i cleaned it out last week!

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steph

i like you on facebook!

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Cristi

I cleaned my wallet a couple of hours ago. When it gets too heavy with change it's time!

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Angie

I just cleaned it out last week! I actually do it fairly regularly.

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Guest

Today!

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Lynda

sunday. i do it pretty much every sunday.

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Lynda

like wisebread on facebook

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Joan

I don't have a separate wallet, it's a section of the type of purse that I carry. But I have to confess that it's been a while since I cleaned it out. Thanks for the reminder!

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Joan

I also follow you on Facebook!

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Eric

I have a pretty thin wallet, so don't have to clean it out too much. Once a week of receipts is about it.

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Eric

I liked you on Facebook.

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Jenny

I cleaned out my wallet a week ago when a red pen exploded all over it. I loved that wallet, but when it became unusable (unless I wanted to walk around red-handed every time I opened it) I bought a new one.

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Bethany

Funny you should ask. I spilt coffee on it last week, so it's been a week for me!

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Liisa Rettedal

Weekly as I transfer my world from the Midwest to the Southwest. Driver's License, car insurance, address, phone number, bank cards, old business contacts to be removed, new ones coming in, people I never need to talk to again. So freaking many steps to complete our New Mexico residency, and my wallet lets me know what is next... :)

Guest's picture

Cleaned out the wallet in the last month. Did a lot of throwing away/shredding. https://mobile.twitter.com/riedyj/status/248364540398555136

Guest's picture

The last time I cleaned out my wallet (I call mine a billfold) was 3 days ago when I balanced my checkbook. Had to make sure there were no debit card receipts in there!

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Guest

I love cleaning my wallet! I probably do it once a week. I tend to shove bills into it, so I face all my monkey and toss receipts I don't need.

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Sara N

Can't remember the last time - it could use a cleaning!

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Happy Love

My wallet is pared to the bare minimum, but I last cleaned my purse out about 2 weeks ago when it got too heavy and was obviously stuffed with unnecessary papers and receipts.

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Stefanie

A couple of days ago! I really don't like carrying around old receipts; it makes things messy and the wallet its harder to close. I try to clean in out every few days if I have receipts and things in it.

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Whiskers

Well, this is timely as just last week I not only cleaned out my delapidated 12 year old leather wallet, but transferred all necessary information into a new one I had in my sock drawer, new in the box for about 15 years. The only reason it took me so long to change wallets is because my old one is a bifold which I really loved, and the new one is a trifold which is thicker when folded in three's. But I looked at new bifolds and there was no way I could afford one so used this new in the box old wallet. I'm not on Facebook or tweeter.