Save time and frustration at the checkout with this super-simple time and space saving trick to organize gift cards, discount cards and membership cards for your wallet!
If you’re like me, the number of gift cards and reward cards you’re toting around in your wallet just keeps growing and growing.
These days, it seems like every other store offers perks and discounts in exchange for membership. It’s great, but every time you sign up, you get another piece of plastic to add to your wallet.
In addition to all the rewards cards I was carrying around, there were various gift cards too. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE receiving gift cards, but my wallet only has so many little slots to hold cards and identification. It had gotten to the point where it was busting at the seams because I had so many gift cards and membership cards jammed in there. And it was often challenging to find the right one when I needed it, or to even know if I HAD one for a particular store when I got to the checkout.
It was driving me crazy. I needed to bring some order to the situation, and free up some space in my wallet.
And so I came up with this super-simple and brilliant (if I do say so myself) way to keep all of my gift cards and membership cards organized and in one place so I could grab them and and find the one I needed in a second or two.
And so I came up with one! I LOVE this system, and so do the cashiers and my fellow-shoppers because they no longer have to wait while I fumble and struggle to find the one I’m looking for. It’s kind of changed my life at the check out. I actually get EXCITED now when I’m asked to produce my discount card!
To organize your gift and discount cards, you’ll need:
- metal key ring
- hole punch
Now, grab your wallet, and take out every discount card, membership card and gift card. Do NOT include debit or credit cards as this will likely render them useless.
Now you’re going to simply punch a hole in the corner of each card.
IMPORTANT: check the card over closely BEFORE punching a hole in it. Do not punch through any bar codes or magnetic strips. This will result in your card no longer working.
When all of your cards are punched, simply slide them on your key ring.
Voila! Instant organization for your purse or wallet. You’ll never struggle or fumble for the right card again!
Your newly organized cards can now be kept outside of your wallet, in a small pocket or compartment of your purse. They’re handy to tuck into a coat pocket too!
Don’t you just love it? Kind of makes you want to go out, and do some shopping, doesn’t it?
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Do NOT include credit cards, debit cards or personal identification cards in this organizational system, as it will interfere with the validation and operation of the card.
Looking for more handy time-savers? Check out:
30 Time and Space Saving Tips for the Home
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
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This is wonderful thanks for sharing!!!
Cheryl
OH my thanks this is a SUPER DUPER IDEA ! I shall be doing this today ! An sharing with all my Gal Pals….And be sure to save the punches for confetti for your next Birthday card ! woot woot
Jenae
This is seriously brilliant, Jackie! I am totally doing this with all the gift cards we got for Christmas!!!
Kirsten
I did this a month ago and love it BUT it killed my hole punch.
happyhooligans
Really? Sorry to hear that, Kirsten. I didn’t have any trouble with mine?
terry
what will happen if you have 2 cards that have (Touch and go capabilties)? i think you should leave them off. Nice idea for Store cards.
Samantha Huntley
I have done this to all my “key cards” reward cards. I attached the ring to a carabiner clip and clip it to the metal ring on my purse strap, that way there is no need to rummage in the bottomless pit! encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvxmVF3ReXXHYqRCsyjOF8o1WwHnVjqnd8upb8EdehA0y-gkJeUQ
happyhooligans
Brilliant! I’m a huge fan of those clips. I clip my keys to the strap of my purse or my belt loop for exactly that reason. Thankfully I have the perfect little pocket in my purse for my handy-dandy card contraption, but if I didn’t, I’d use your idea for sure!
Michelle
Make sure you put the cards in alphabetical order!
Ruth
Fabulous idea, am onto it. Thanks for sharing this.
happyhooligans
Yay! I had to pull mine out a few times last weekend, Ruth, and the cashiers just love it!
Rachel
Checkout time has been easier for me since I downloaded the Keyring app on my smart phone. Yours is a genius low-tech alternative though.
Shera-Lee
Jackie, I love your posts. You always have helpful tips and doable crafts/actvties!
Thank you,
Shera-Lee
happyhooligans
Aw, what a lovely thing to say, Shera-Lee! Thank you for following along with me. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my crafts and activities! xx
Leann
For an easier way to locate put a colored piece of card stock or plastic and put your cards in A B C order to easily find a card
Richard Courtright
You can put a hole in your debit or credit cards. I went to two banks , they said it was OK as long as you don’t go thru.the magnetic strip or the chip. Its great for people like me who always leave their debit cards in stores or whatever
Jackie Currie
Interesting! And it will still work in the ATM?