15 Things Everyone Kept In Their Wallet In The ’80s (That Make No Sense Now)
The ’80s were loud, proud, and unapologetically over-the-top—and our wallets were no exception. Forget sleek cardholders and digital payment apps; back then, wallets were bulky treasure chests bursting at the seams with a bizarre mix of essentials and oddities.
Join me on a humorous journey into the neon-tinted past as we explore 15 quirky things people carried in their wallets during this totally tubular decade. There were laminated school photos with questionable haircuts, punch cards for sandwich shops that may or may not have still existed, and folded-up notes passed in class that somehow never got thrown away.
Add in faded Polaroids, handwritten phone numbers (sometimes with hearts), emergency dimes for payphones, and the all-important Blockbuster card, and you’ve got a snapshot of a simpler, if slightly chaotic, time. So slip on those rose-tinted aviators and prepare for a fun, nostalgic peek inside the leather-bound time capsules of the 1980s.
1. Rolodex Card
Picture this: You’re trying to impress your crush, but all you have is a Rolodex card with their number scribbled in neon ink. In the ’80s, these little cards were essential for keeping track of important contacts, even if they often lived in disarray within our wallets.
I remember fishing through a sea of them just to find my best friend’s number. Nowadays, our smartphones hold thousands of contacts, making the Rolodex card as obsolete as shoulder pads.
But back then, it was a prized possession, even if it was as organized as a teenager’s room. Who needed a digital address book when you had a Rolodex card?
2. Calculator Watch Warranty
Remember those funky calculator watches? They were the ultimate geek chic accessory. But with great technology came great responsibility—or at least a warranty card tucked into your wallet. I used to carry mine around like it was a golden ticket.
If your watch malfunctioned, that tiny card was your savior. Fast forward to today, and warranties live in our inboxes, not our wallets.
The calculator watch warranty was a symbol of readiness for any tech mishap, even if it did add unnecessary bulk. Who knew warranties could be so stylish? Or so indispensable, even if only in our minds.
3. European Currency Notes
Traveling abroad in the ’80s meant your wallet was a mini currency exchange. Euro? What’s that? Back then, you had to carry a variety of notes like Francs, Deutschmarks, and Pesetas, each with its own distinct flair.
I felt like a world traveler with my wallet bursting with colorful currencies. It was like having a passport to shopping adventure, one that required quick calculation skills.
Today, a card swipe does all the math. Those European notes were pieces of art, but they sure made managing money a headache. Still, I confess they added a dash of international mystery to my everyday life.
4. Phone Booth Tokens
Ah, the sweet sound of dropping a token into a payphone slot! In a pre-cell phone era, phone booth tokens were our lifeline. My wallet jingled with these metallic lifesavers, ready for an impromptu call home.
They were like social media notifications, alerting us to the possibility of connection. Nowadays, they might seem like relics from the Stone Age, but back then, they were as vital as a charger for your ever-draining smartphone battery.
They were tiny circles of connectivity, ensuring we were never out of touch for too long. A little piece of freedom we carried everywhere.
5. Polaroid Snaps
Before selfies and Instagram, there were Polaroids. These instant photos were treasures in our wallets, capturing moments we couldn’t post but cherished nonetheless. I remember tucking a Polaroid of my dog, Max, right next to my driver’s license.
Those photos faded and curled over time, but each one was a memory in tangible form. Today, digital albums hold thousands of images, but there’s something special about the tactile nostalgia of a Polaroid.
They were snapshots of joy, adventures and, occasionally, questionable fashion choices. So, yes, our wallets were a bit thicker, but oh, the memories they held!
6. Rubik’s Cube Cheat Sheet
For those who couldn’t solve the Rubik’s Cube (raises hand), a cheat sheet was a must-have. I confess, I tucked one in my wallet, just in case my patience ran thin. It was a secret weapon for impressing friends at parties.
Today, YouTube tutorials do the trick, but back then, this little paper was a lifeline for the cubically challenged. The cheat sheet was a testament to our determination, or perhaps our inability to memorize algorithms.
It was a symbol of the ’80s puzzle craze, reminding us that sometimes, shortcuts were a-okay. Besides, who could resist showing off their cube-solving prowess?
7. Video Rental Membership Card
Friday nights meant a trip to the video rental store, and that little membership card was your passport to cinematic adventures. My wallet never felt complete without it. Each card swipe was a ticket to a world of blockbusters and B-movies.
Today, streaming services have replaced the ritual, but there’s nostalgia in remembering the excitement of browsing aisles.
That card was a key to entertainment, a tangible promise of weekend fun. It signified community, where shared film recommendations created bonds. Although its purpose is bygone, the memories it evokes remain cherished, like a long-lost sequel to our favorite ’80s classic.
8. Mixtape Track List
Mix tapes were the love language of the ’80s, and the track list was your lyrical heart on paper. I kept mine neatly folded in my wallet, just a reminder of friendships and crushes immortalized through song. Each track was a story, a memory, a beat you could carry with you.
Today, playlists have gone digital, but there’s a certain charm in the analog method of sharing music.
Those mixtape lists were personal, curated collections of emotion, ready to be revisited whenever nostalgia called. They were music’s love letters, intimate and irreplaceable. A melody of memories tucked in between receipts.
9. Cabbage Patch Kids Adoption Certificate
Who could forget adopting a Cabbage Patch Kid? They came with their own adoption certificate, which many of us proudly displayed in our wallets. Mine was a badge of honor. Each doll was unique, like a fingerprint in plush form.
Today, kids have different obsessions, but back then, those dolls were everything. The adoption certificate was a testament to your commitment to this soft bundle of joy.
It was a quirky piece of paper that officially made you a parent, even if only to a fabric child. A whimsical reminder of simpler times, when a doll could spark a nationwide frenzy.
10. Coupon Clippings
Clipping coupons was practically a sport in the ’80s. Wallets bulged with these paper savings, ready to be redeemed for everything from groceries to fast food. I remember the thrill of saving a few cents—it felt like winning the lottery.
Digital coupons have taken over today, but back then, those little clippings were treasures. They represented frugality and the promise of a deal just waiting to be scored.
Each coupon was a mini adventure in bargain hunting, a small victory in the shopping aisle. They were a testament to resourcefulness, proof that good things indeed come in small packages.
11. Compact Mirror
Why did we lug around tiny mirrors in our wallets? To catch a glimpse of our teased hair, of course! Compact mirrors were essential for maintaining the perfect ’80s look, from neon eyeshadow to gravity-defying hairstyles.
I always had one nestled next to my ID, a silent companion in my quest for fashion precision. Today, phone screens double as mirrors, but back then, these were indispensable.
They were a reflection of our style ambitions, tiny portals to self-assessment. Each compact was a personal fashion consultant, ready to offer reassurance at a moment’s notice. Because in the ’80s, looking good was not optional.
12. Astrological Sign Card
Astrology had its heyday in the ’80s, and zodiac sign cards were all the rage. I carried mine like it was a divine decree. Each card was a peek into your cosmic fate, a guide to the unknown. Today, apps offer daily horoscopes, but back then, these cards were spiritual companions.
They were symbols of belief in the stars, tiny passports to destiny. Each horoscope was a mixture of hope and entertainment, a celestial script that added a touch of mysticism to mundane life.
Who wouldn’t want a pocket guide to the universe? At least, that’s what we believed.
13. Concert Ticket Stubs
Concert ticket stubs were the ’80s equivalent of badges of honor. Each one represented a night of music, memories, and maybe a little too much hairspray. I kept mine as trophies, symbols of escapades in rock and pop.
Today, digital tickets lack that physical charm, but back then, stubs were souvenirs of sonic adventures. They were proof of fandom, tangible connections to unforgettable performances.
Each stub was a story, a reminder of nights spent in the company of legends. They were collectibles of the soul, cherished chunks of cardstock that held more than just seat numbers.
14. Fortune Cookie Fortunes
Who could resist tucking a fortune cookie slip into their wallet, hoping for a bit of luck? I was guilty of carrying these cryptic messages, tiny shards of wisdom or whimsy. Each fortune was a slice of serendipity, a promise of good things to come.
Today, we might post them online, but back then, they were private treasures. They were quirky reminders that life could be full of surprise twists.
Each fortune was a sprinkle of optimism, a little nudge from the universe. They were smiles on paper, tucked away until we needed them most, offering hope in the oddest of forms.
15. Membership Badge
Clubs and memberships were all the rage in the ’80s, and wallets housed every badge proudly. I had one for my high school club, a little token of belonging. These badges were more than just laminated paper; they were gateways to a community.
Today, virtual groups connect us, but back then, physical badges were symbols of commitment. Each badge was an emblem of participation, a mark of identity in a world eager for belonging.
They were little reminders that we were part of something bigger. Like a secret handshake, they opened doors to camaraderie and shared experiences.