Do people have purses any more? Why?

[Icanseeasquirrel]

My purse used to be massively important. My cash and cards. Wouldn’t leave the house without it. I can remember the purse my mum had for years. Fat brown leather thing with a snap closure. Full of old vouchers and stamps and things.
I have had many purses in my life but now just have a phone and a single card. A few notes and coins in a bag I use sometimes. I have three adult children and none of them have a wallet or purse.
I do see people at the checkout putting their stuff away in purses sometimes though. Seems so retro!
I think if I had a purse I would carry around loads of stuff I don’t need. Just musing on one of the things that’s changed in my life as a middle aged woman!
So. If you still use a purse. Why?

I do carry a card holder but I wouldn't need cash or a card to get home. I live in the SW with poor bus links and very rarely use the train so as long as I have my car key I'm ok. I also carry a portable charger.

I have a lovely mulberry wallet. The only time I ever use it nowadays is a passport holder when we travel.

I never carry cash anymore, nor bank cards. So I have no use for a purse or wallet.

Here's what's in mine:

Debit card
Nectar card
Tesco clubcard
Driving licence
Railcard
Waterstones card
Oyster card (when going to London)
Any gift card I've been given for Xmas/birthday
Couple of pound coins for shopping trolley
£40 cash in case system is down I can still get, say, petrol for the car (oh I was smug that day)

Where do they all go without a purse or wallet?

That's a bag

Where do they go? On my phone. It seems a faff nowadays to carry physical cards when they can all be stored in your Apple wallet. I can’t remember the last time I needed cash for anything in this country, it must be years ago.

I have a purse. I use it for coins, bank notes, stamps, cards, driver’s licence, receipts, etc.

I have a cute card holder from Oliver Bonas - cream with bright pink cats on it. All my cards (including loyalty) are on Apple Pay but even just this week I was caught out when that wouldn’t go through and I had to physically get a card out. God forbid I didn’t get my White Company sale candle. My card holder has a tiny zip bit where I keep a couple of pound coins. I have stamps in there too and a “fortune” from a Zoltar machine.

I almost always carry a bag, the only exception would be a 10pm trip to Tesco Express for emergency snacks!

No more of a faff than carrying your purchases that you made with your phone really.

It’s such a change isn’t it. I never went anywhere without my purse- it was a vital part of running my life- now it lives in a drawer and I just keep stamps in it.

I stash one physical card and a tenner in my phone case for emergencies , otherwise I’m Apple Pay all the way.

I have a beautiful purse from Liberty with “curated” contents 😹 It contains cash, a few cards, stamps, trolley disc and coins. I love it. I expect the day will come when we all just use technology, I’m resisting, join the rebellion!

You have a £1 coin for a shipping trolley on your phone? Wow, they really do everything now.

If someone gives you, as I got at Christmas and my birthday, physical gift cards, how do I put those onto my (non-Apple) phone?

How do you put your driving licence into your Apple wallet?

From a civil liberties perspective it’s really important that we don’t lose the ability to pay in cash. In fact in some Australian states they’ve legislated to force businesses to accept cash payment.

In China I believe people who fall foul of the state can be cut off such that they can’t travel, buy food etc. They can be tracked constantly through their phone and card payments.

If you think it wouldn’t happen in a democracy have a read about the Canadian truckers driving Covid etc.

I never do a large supermarket shop that would need a trolley. My regular grocery shop is online. I can't remember the last time someone gave me a gift card, it would literally have been decades ago. I don't carry my driving licence - there is no obligation to do so.

I've got this one and a matching bag from The Cat Gallery in York. 45 Low Petergate. They were quite expensive; the purse was about £50.00, and the bag was about £70.00. Various compartments/zipped in both. They came with these protective bags, too!

I never leave the house without them, even if I don't intend to buy anything. My cash, cards and receipts, etc., go in the purse.

I'm not sure if The Cat Gallery still sells these particular ones, as I've had them for a few years!

I do wear a watch. I hate having to use a phone to check the time. I currently need to replace the battery on my watch and I hate it!

I have one but as I've got Apple Pay on my phone it's not a disaster if I leave it at home. My phone is more essential to me!

The image didn't come up the first time! https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HMSk6CkXEAAR3su?format=jpg&name=small

Unable to transfer my phone into being my purse just yet. Nor do without cash.
I like the option of cash if you want to tip someone especially.

I have a purse. I have to pay cash for some things I buy. Plus, I can’t always rely on my phone being alive when I need it.

I have a big ‘Mum’ purse and a smaller ‘out’ purse. I use Apple Pay a lot but have had it not work in enough places to not want to go out without my cards and I still like using cash where possible too.
I hate having things in pockets or carrying bunches of keys etc so purse and handbag is best for me.
MIL won’t carry a bag and had a drama wherever she goes because she can’t find her keys or had left her phone.

I never just rely on my phone wallet as sometimes they don't work. I got stuck in sainsburys nit able to pay once. My purse has my cards and most of my loyalty cards pouch cash.

I still have one, but have downsized from a massive MumPurse to a more streamlined card holder with a tiny zipped compartment for coins. I do still find it hand to have some cash for parking in particular.

I work on a supermarket checkout and the vast majority of customers still use purses.

I still carry a small purse. Has my debit cards, stamps, driving licence and a small amount of cash. I also have a micro screwdriver for fixing glasses when the screws come loose. Although I use Apple Pay on my phone/ipad to buy things, I haven't got into the habit of using the wallet thing to tap on a card reader. I think it's a practical thing too. I'm aware of how many phones get snatched these days, and if I'm honest I'm forgetful and sometimes leave my phone at home.

I have a small one. It mainly stays at home unless I know I'll need cash or physical card.