PORTLAND, Maine — Rich Brooks of Flyte New Media in Portland is 207's tech guy, and when he suggested a segment on how to get rid of stuff in your wallet that you don't really need, we were immediately on board. Maybe you'll end up unloading two items, or maybe 22.
In any case, let Rich be your guide for how to do it. Here are the talking points he provided:
207: "Is it really possible to move everything from your wallet to your phone?"
Rich: "Not yet, but we're getting there. I have plenty of ways to pay by phone, but I still feel safer with a few bills in my wallet. There are still stores and restaurants out there that are cash-only.
"But through apps and other techniques, most of us could probably remove 80% of the items we carry around in our wallets."
207: "OK, so where do we start?"
Rich: "Let's start with money. Both Apple and Google offer digital wallets where we can store all our credit cards and access them with just our face ID. Almost all places that accept credit cards will accept this payment type, but I'd recommend keeping one card in your wallet just to be safe.
"And although having a little cash on hand is a good idea, let's shed a few pounds by using Venmo or a similar app. Apps like Venmo are perfect for peer-to-peer payments, like when you have to pay someone for babysitting or want to split a bill."
207: "What goes next?"
Rich: "Let's get rid of those membership and loyalty cards. I'm thinking of things like Costco, Sam's, gym memberships, etc. Most will have apps that carry the same information and can be scanned whether you're checking out or filling up at the gas tank.
"My only caveat here is just to be aware of how much tracking these apps do. I had downloaded an app for a fast food chain and for some reason, the only option was to let it track me at all times, even when I wasn't using the app. Nope, goodbye."
207: "How about for the business professionals out there?"
Rich: "If you have to keep receipts for your expense report, be sure to check out Expensify, an app that allows you to snap pictures of your receipts and organize them into a report.
"Similarly, if you often exchange business cards, you can use an app like CamCard, which allows you to scan cards you get, or share your card easily with others."
207: "How about some of the other random things in our wallet?"
Rich: "I was able to get rid of my insurance cards by downloading my insurance company's app. Same with AAA. Like most people, I have any concert tickets on my phone as well. I just make sure I put them in my digital wallet, so in case there's a problem with connectivity at the show I don't have to worry.
"And when all else fails, snap a picture. COVID cards, library cards, and health care cards are all in a special folder in my photos, ready to show or scan if the opportunity arises."
207: "Is this safe? I mean, what happens if you lose your phone?"
Rich: "That's annoying, but everything is likely saved to the cloud, which means once you replace your phone, you'll have access to all those 'lost' items again."