Time to Clean out Your Wallet

Donna Nichols • June 7, 2023
A brown wallet filled with money and credit cards.

I was perusing the latest AARP bulletin and found so many great articles for blogs. This article is titled Wallet Audit and has some great ideas to keep your identity safe. Amy Nofziger is the author and has served as AARP’s director of fraud victim support for nearly two decades.


Amy says your wallet should be slim, light and contain very little. Most of the information we carry in our wallets is on our phones now, so we can clean those wallets out and have less for the crooks to take. Here are some suggestions to make your wallet lighter and safer.


Take only as much cash as you will need. No one carries a lot of cash anymore and you shouldn’t either. If you will be using cash for purchases, take only what you think you will need and perhaps a little bit more in case of an emergency.


Leave your Medicare card at home. Only carry your Medicare card when you have a doctor’s appointment that may require it. Should someone get a hold of your number, it may be used for any number of scams, including filing for false claims.


Never carry a blank check in your wallet. There isn’t much use for checks these days, so why leave yourself open to the possibility of someone getting your bank account information?


Carry one credit and one debit card ONLY. Leave any other cards at home. You shouldn’t need any more than one credit card or one debit card for anything you are buying. Imagine if you’re a crook and you found a wallet with five or so credit cards in it! WOO HOO! Jackpot! Don’t risk it!


Do NOT carry a house key in your wallet. If someone does get your wallet, they also have your address and can show up at your house at any time.


Copy the front and back of all the health and credit cards you choose to carry with you and store them in a safe place. This will ensure you have all the correct numbers in case your wallet does get stolen.


Remove any photos you may have in your wallet also. Why let the crooks have access to find out about your family or standard of living? Best to leave the photos on your phone.


Probably the most important! Remove your social security card! How many times have you needed to show your social security card? Your entire identity can be stolen if a crook gets your social security number, why risk it? Leave the card at home in a secure place.


It’s sad that we must continuously write blogs on scams and how to protect yourself. Even ten years ago it wasn’t as bad as it is now. I guess the crooks were learning new ways to scam and perfecting their ways. It’s such a sad world these days. That people would take advantage of our seniors is just despicable.



Please take care of our most vulnerable population and watch out for them! It takes all of us working together to help them thrive!

A person is holding a wallet full of credit cards.
By Donna Nichols February 5, 2026
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By Donna Nichols February 2, 2026
Small Habits That Make a Big Difference February brings a soft reminder to pause and check in with the most loyal companion we have — our heart. It beats for us without asking, carrying us through decades of joy, loss, laughter, and change. American Heart Month invites us to honor that steady work with simple habits that help us feel stronger, more energized, and more connected. The Power of Small Steps Heart health doesn’t require dramatic resolutions or strict routines. In fact, the most meaningful changes are often the smallest ones — the ones we can weave into our day without feeling overwhelmed. A ten‑minute walk after breakfast. Choosing water before coffee. Stretching your arms and shoulders while waiting for the kettle to boil. Turning on a favorite song and letting your body sway a little. These tiny choices add up. They support circulation, boost mood, and remind us that caring for ourselves is still possible at every age. Movement That Meets You Where You Are Not everyone can take long walks or join a fitness class — and that’s okay. Gentle movement counts. • Marching your feet while seated • Rolling your shoulders to release tension • Standing up and sitting down a few times to strengthen your legs • Reaching toward the ceiling to open your chest Every bit of movement helps the heart do its job with less strain. Food That Loves You Back Heart‑healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Think in terms of adding rather than restricting. • Add a handful of berries to breakfast • Add a few colorful vegetables to lunch • Add a sprinkle of nuts or seeds for healthy fats • Add one extra glass of water during the day Small additions feel doable — and they nourish the body in ways you can feel. Connection Is Heart Medicine, Too Loneliness can weigh on the heart just as much as physical strain. February is a wonderful time to reach out. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Share a memory with a grandchild. Join a community activity, even if just for an hour. Let someone know you’re thinking of them. Human connection is one of the most powerful heart‑protective habits we have. A Month to Celebrate Your Strength Your heart has carried you through so much — every milestone, every challenge, every moment of joy. This month is not about perfection. It’s about honoring your resilience and choosing one or two small habits that make you feel good. A healthier heart doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in the quiet, steady choices we make each day. And February is the perfect time to begin.
By Donna Nichols January 12, 2026
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