Have you ever suffered a case of the exploding wallet? If you don’t like carrying around your life in your back pocket, the solution might be a money clip. A money clip pinches your notes together neatly in a clasp that is small enough to fit in your pocket without a tell-tale bulge. Take note! Carrying a money clip instead of a wallet requires some degree of organisation, as you can only take with you what is necessary for the day or planned outing.
Money clips have been around as long as paper money, and that’s not as long as you might think. Although the earliest recorded use of paper money is in China in the 7th century, it took thousands of years for the rest of the world to catch up, and it wasn’t until 1913 that the first Australian banknotes were printed.
With paper money came the need to way to keep it safe and neatly stored. Take a bow, wallets and money clips. The first money clip was patented in the US in 1901 and marketed as a ‘safety-holder for paper money, which clamps the money without cutting or tearing it’.
Today, money clips are also used for holding credit cards. They come in a variety of materials from leather to metal including stainless steel, titanium, silver and gold money clips. They can come embellished with various decorative features such as precious stones or coins, and are historically considered something of a status symbol — nothing says ‘I’ve done well for myself’ quite like flashing a wad of cash at the bartender. Although considered by many as a man’s accessory, money clips are also popular with women who like the convenience and freedom of not having to carry a purse.
While you might think that seeing as we’re on our way to a cashless society the money clip would be getting less relevant, that’s actually not the case. In fact, it’s probably the trifold wallet that’s going to hit obscurity first, seeing as most of us no longer need to carry around receipts (shall I email that to you?), photos (they’re on your phone) and hundreds of store cards and tickets (digitised, thank you). A money clip wallet is the pared-back version that’s practical for today’s lifestyle.
How to use a money clip
Money clips come in a variety of sizes and materials, so you have options to browse through. Once you’ve decided which suits your purpose, you need to know how to use it to best effect. First, like a deck of cards, you need to get your notes in order, so you can peel the right one from the wad without having to empty the whole thing and start again. Make sure the notes are smooth and neatly stacked. Then place your credit card and driver’s license (if necessary) facing up on top of the pile of notes. Fold everything neatly in half so the cards are in the middle, and place the folded side into the clip. It should feel tight but not strained. If it’s too tight you won’t be able to remove bills easily. With a bit of practice, you’ll have the dexterity to fish out a single bill or card, which is what it’s all about.
Money clip wallets and cardholders
If you’re not ready to wave goodbye to your wallet just yet, a men’s wallet with money clip or money clip cardholder could be the middle ground you’re looking for. Money clip wallets are also sometimes known as hybrid money clips. They are designed specifically to hold credit cards and cash, and nothing else. The most popular leather money clip wallets comprise a slim credit card holder that looks like a mini leather wallet. It houses between two and eight cards, with a clip in the centre to hold your notes. Check that the wallet is big enough to hold Aussie bills, as those designed for US money won’t be quite big enough.
Personalised money clips
Money clips make lovely gifts for men. It’s something the recipient will have for a long time and you will cross their mind over the coming years whenever they use it. A personalised gift shows how much consideration has gone into finding a money clip that’s extra special to the recipient. That might mean choosing one with a coin decoration that was minted in their year of birth, or adding an engraved or embossed name or initials, or even a personal inscription. When searching for your money clip, check the ‘Can be personalised’ box in Special features.
Do I need RFID protection in my money clip wallet?
If you want peace of mind around security, choose a money clip wallet that boasts RFID blocking protection. RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) is chip-based technology used in credit cards — it’s what is read by the scanner when you tap for payment. Wondering if your card is RFID enabled? Look for a radio wave symbol on the front. RFID theft (also known as ‘skimming’) happens when a crook uses a scanner to read and duplicate personal information from your credit cards, in order to steal your money or worse, your identity. Many wallets, travel wallets and money clip wallets include a material in the lining that blocks RFID signals, so a scanner can’t read the information until you take it out.
So now you hopefully have an idea about what kind of money clip you’re looking for. In these pages, you’ll find all the best money clips Australia-wide. You’ll also discover a wide range of other necessities and gifts for him including men’s wallets and men’s watches.
