When will I no longer need to carry a wallet?

Question

When will it be all e-money, and contained in an RFID chip on my watch, for example?

Answer 1

I can get by nowadays without a wallet for half a day, but I'm in a small town and the checker at the store will key in my CC # (which I've memorized).

Some oil companies offer RFID key chain fobs that work at their gas pumps, so that is already available in a few markets.

The police will want to see a physical driver's license for a long time, I suspect (but only if you get stopped). Note that for a long time in Britian, people didn't carry their licenses. If stopped, they'd give their names, and then be required to come by the station later to show their (lifetime) license.

USA borders seem to be going in the direction of MORE documentation PLUS biometrics rather than less. Passports required for air travel from Mex and Can starting Jan '07, for instance.

The combination of a physical card PLUS knowledge of a PIN makes for better security. There are no end of local and international scammers who, given a knowledge-only system, would lift your info from an email, phishing scheme, dishonest merchant, etc.

It can take me many days to get rid of loose change - I do so few cash transactions anymore. I think that will continue - e-payments of some kind will only increase. But those e-payments and proving who you are will continue to include a physical object. And we seem to have settled on a credit-card sized object as standard. I expect that to continue. Only low-security things like the supermarket club card, library card and health club membership have gone to key-chain cards. Visa/MC also, but those aren't accepted everywhere that the fullsized ones are.

I do like that airline kiosks will accept my CC as proof of identity. I wish that the library, store club, etc, would do so. My CC a unique number and I wish these separate businesses wouldn't require a whole new card in my wallet.

My FIL's laptop requires a thumbprint to logon (end-high consulting with sensitive data). Makes me think, "Great, someone robs me of my laptop AND they'll want to cut off my thumb!" A downside of biometrics.

Answer 2

When you are 6' under or just dust. Even if they one day use fingerprints or eye identification one will always need Something I think.

Answer 3

when all the shops are able to Id you uniquely using your eyes or fingerprints or simi;ar (15 years)

Answer 4

When you get married and cram everything into your wife's purse.

Answer 5

if you're already broke and no more money.........