Are we the last generation to carry wallets?

The other day I was sitting with the team when someone commented at payment time: "You still use a wallet, mate? Just need your phone these days!"

Got me thinking. Because Apple Pay and Google Pay are genuinely convenient as hell. But why do we still feel like something's missing when we only rely on our phone?

Turns out plenty of blokes feel the same way.

The "balance" generation

Last week chatting with a few mates around the same age, discovered many share the same mindset:

• Still wear mechanical watches despite smartwatches being so convenient
• Still write down important things by hand despite having iPads
• Still remember familiar routes despite having GPS
• Still keep business cards despite LinkedIn
• And still carry wallets despite digital payments being mainstream

We're not slow with technology. We embrace tech hard - cloud computing, automation, digital transformation...

We just happen to be the type who believe in having options.

Those "glad I had my wallet" moments

Everyone's got a few experiences that make you nod:

Scenario 1: Phone battery dies during an extended client meeting. Wallet handles the lunch payment smoothly and professionally.

Scenario 2: Banking app maintenance over the weekend, need emergency cash. ATM card saves the day.

Scenario 3: Business trip, conference center wifi is rubbish, payment app won't load. Credit card sorts it out instantly without anyone having to wait.

Each time, you think: "This backup plan isn't redundant at all."

Not about technology - it's about character

For us, a wallet reflects how we live:

• Preparedness: Always ready for any situation
• Independence: Not completely dependent on a single point of failure
• Organisation: Everything has a system and purpose
• Reliability: Colleagues know they can count on us

And honestly, there's something distinctly professional about confidently pulling out your wallet, rather than struggling with a lagging phone or no signal.

It's a subtle signal of competence.

The "always have options" philosophy

We understand a simple principle: The more you rely on technology, the more you need backup.

Like how the best pilots still master manual controls when autopilot fails. Or how the most experienced surgeons still trust clinical judgment alongside diagnostic tools.

That's not conservative thinking. That's mature thinking.

We're the generation that knows how to balance:

✓ Embrace convenience but don't sacrifice independence ✓ Love innovation but appreciate reliability ✓ Go digital but keep practical backups ✓ Stay modern but with sustainable functionality

Modern wallet for modern mindset

So our wallets need to evolve with this philosophy too:

• Slim design - not bulky like the previous generation
• Smart features - RFID blocking, AirTag compatibility
• Premium materials - reflect professional image
• Functional minimalism - just essentials, every element has purpose

6-10 most important cards. Emergency cash. Business cards. Organised, accessible, dependable.

The quiet confidence

At the end of the day, there's a quiet confidence in knowing you're always prepared. When colleagues are stressing about battery or wifi, you calmly handle the situation.

That's not showing off. That's professionalism.

Tomorrow we'll still tap our phones to buy coffee. But we'll also carry our wallets in our pockets.

Not because we're stubborn. But because we're smart enough to always have Plan B.

And in a country where you might find yourself stuck between Brisbane and the Gold Coast with a flat phone, that backup suddenly makes perfect sense.

Which team are you on? "Phone is enough" or "Phone + smart wallet"?

Share your perspective - genuinely curious about everyone's approach to this.