The only 6 things a modern gentleman should keep in his wallet

iStockKeep your wallet slim and minimal.

You already know the dangers of carrying too large a wallet (and of keeping it in your back pocket).

In that same vein, we thought we’d go over what you should actually keep in your wallet on a day-to-day basis.

And, in the spirit of minimalism, it’s honestly not a whole lot.

You probably only need:

• Credit card and debit card. Plastic is now the norm, but there’s no need to overdo it. One credit card and one debit card is all that you should have in your wallet.
• ID card (and business ID, if needed).
• Cash. For drinks at bars, paying friends back, and those annoying restaurants that are still cash-only, cash is necessary.
• Transit card. If you’re in a major city, it’s likely that you’ll take public transit regularly.
• Insurance cards. Should the worst happen, it’s a good thing to have your insurance information on hand. The cards are thin and don’t take up much room, and they’re handy to have in an emergency.
• A business card. You never know when you’ll need it, and it’s a lot easier than trying to find a pen and paper to write down your email or phone number.

Notice what’s missing? No rewards cards, no punch cards, no gift cards, and nothing else that you don’t use on a daily basis. Not even a Social Security card.

Financial blog Dumb Little Man advocates a 1-2-2 rule (one ID, two forms of payment, and two insurance cards) as the most someone should carry around in their wallet, and we’re pretty on board with that.

Once you slim down your wallet, it’ll be easier to find what you’re looking for, and your life will be just that much simpler.