Organized Shopping Begins with an Organized Wallet

During the holiday shopping season it's important to keep your wallet and receipts organized. It could mean the difference between returning a gift that didn't work and getting stuck with it— adding to the clutter around. If your wallet is a mess, it cann not only weigh you down, it can also slow you down. Having to take the time to look through dozens of credit or rewards cards to find the right one can slow up the line at the mall (as if they aren't slow enough). Here are some solutions for keeping an organized wallet:Remove receipts regularly. Remove any receipts you don't need on a regular basis. Keep receipts you will need for future returns with the item and not in your wallet. This way when you go to make the return, they will be together in the bag.For gift receipts, keep an envelope or file with all your holiday purchases. Put the name of the receiver at the top of the receipt.Streamline credit cards. Do you sign up for a credit card from every store you shop at? This can not only clog your wallet, but it can also be damaging to your credit score. Limit the amount of credit cards you use. Find a card that offers rewards for purchases in any store and use that card for all purchases.Harness your rewards cards. So many stores offer reward cards and it really does help to use them, however they can cause chaos in your wallet.CardStar is a clever smart phone app that will let you digitally store many different reward cards. You can also take a digital photo of the front and back of the card. If you really feel the need to keep the cards with you, try using a hole punch and slipping them onto a keyring.Consolidate your cash. Take time to drop your loose change into a bowl at home and occasionally turn it into the bank. It can be fun to keep a separate account for loose change (it adds up quickly) and use it to pay for a fun activity. Don't keep too much cash in your wallet—if it's stolen, it's gone. With so many credit cards offering rewards, it's a good incentive to minimize cash.Remember, keeping your wallet and receipts organized while you're on the go will help ease stress and allow you to enjoy the season.