Wallets: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, I rarely leave the house without it. Even though I pay for most things using my mobile phone nowadays, I still like having physical banknotes and my driving licence on hand just in case the battery dies or a shop doesn't accept contactless payments.

I'm a big fan of slim, minimalist cardholders made from dark leather. I really dislike bulky bifold wallets that stick out of your trouser pocket, so something compact with room for four or five cards suits my everyday routine perfectly.

I did, actually. When I was about eight, my parents bought me a bright blue fabric wallet with a sticky fastener. I used to keep my weekly pocket money and a couple of plastic loyalty cards in it, which made me feel quite grown-up.

Unfortunately, yes. A couple of years ago, it slipped out of my coat pocket on a local bus. It was a massive hassle because I had to cancel all my debit cards immediately, though thankfully someone handed it into the station lost property office.

I reckon traditional wallets will become fairly rare as society moves towards cashless payments. Most people already keep their bank cards, tickets, and travel passes on smart devices, so carrying a dedicated leather pouch might soon feel completely obsolete.