If you use something all the time, you're more likely to end up misplacing it (oxymoronic though it may sound). Your wallet, your phone, your keys; we've all lost one (or all) of these, and it's never fun.
Ekster's trackable wallets make it very hard to lose your wallet again, and even if you do, you can quickly find it through our crowd GPS tracker. But there's still a few more things you can do to save yourself the pain and stress of losing your most valuable items. Here are five steps you can take to make sure your everyday items are safe, especially your wallet.
1. Carry only what you actually need.
This sounds simple, but you'd be surprised by the amount of unnecessary clutter that people carry around with them all day. Think about wallets. A lot of people put their social security cards and their bank account information in their wallet, where it goes with them everywhere; if these two items were to end up in the wrong person's hands, it could easily become an identity theft crisis. It's smarter to go through your wallet regularly, and to discard paper and plastic which you don't use often.
2. Don’t put your wallet in your back pocket.
So many guys still keep their wallets in their back pockets, where they stay until someone with sticky fingers manages to steal them. No matter where you are - whether you're traveling in a new country, or simply on a busy commute home - keeping your wallet in your front pocket virtually eliminates any chance of being pickpocketed. It'll feel strange for the first few days, but you'll get used to it really quickly; plus, it's much better for your posture!
3. Periodically test your tracking.
If you have an Ekster wallet with a Bluetooth tracker, it’s a good idea to test it every now and then. If you're doing regular checks, you're ensuring the card battery has juice; you're also prepared to track it if you lose it. People often freeze when they realize their wallet is missing; if you're prepared for it, tracking your wallet is going to be your first instinct if you can't find it. Having a built-in lost wallet finder safety net to back you up is something that already puts you in a secure position.
4. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Every man should practice being more mindful of his surroundings. Situational awareness is one of the key factors in surviving emergency events, from robberies to simply being lost in the wrong neighborhood. Don't take this to mean you should walk around in a state of fight-ready anxiety; there's more simple things you can do, like knowing where the exits are, or keeping track of the people around you. A lot of people get pickpocketed (or robbed) when they're not paying attention - so pay attention. It's also a good idea (especially when abroad) to carry a second 'dummy wallet' with old cards and a little money, which you can hand over without ruining your whole trip.
5. Get used to not carrying so much cash.
This is a bit controversial, because it's often a good idea to have cash on you. But you'll notice that it's far easier to spend money frivolously if you've got it in your hand; there's a psychological pull leading you to spend it on something.
Some people think credit cards lead you to spend more (because you can't see the money being spent) but that's more applicable to teenagers. As you get older, you develop (or at least you should have) a deeper understanding of your finances, budgeting, and how cards work.
It's easy to do most transactions online, with credit cards, and using smartphones. And it's also easy to lose cash, which usually just sits in your wallet, fattening it up. Try it: go a week with only twenty dollars on you, and see how you fare.
