The $23 That Changed My Pockets
Minimalist at 73 and Accidentally cool... Written by Fred Ferguson - GeezerWise
I just paid $23 to carry everything I need when I leave the apartment.
And for another $13, I ditched my big, lumpy wallet for two aluminum credit-card holders that look like props from a Bond movie.
Back in my day, this kind of thing was called a fanny pack â and it meant youâd given up on being cool. The official âtourist dadâ uniform. But now? Gen Z is rocking them cross-body like streetwear trophies. Somewhere between a Kodak-snapping nerd and a TikTok influencer, I decided: screw it, this makes sense.
Why I Switched
At 73, I donât want to haul around a brick of leather, 16 âloyaltyâ cards I never use, and a pocket full of âjust in caseâ receipts.
My pockets were starting to look like a filing cabinet from 1987.
So I got:
A slim cross-body bag that frees my hands and doesnât look half bad.
Two RFID-blocking aluminum wallets â just enough for a few cards and a bit of cash.
Minimalist. Clean. Done.
The Nerd Bag Twist
The funny part? These ânerd bagsâ we mocked in the â90s are now⌠apparently cool.
GQ says fanny packs are back.
Vogue says theyâre high fashion.
Even Reddit says Gen Z wears them all the time.
I didnât buy mine to be cool. But finding out I somehow am by accident? Thatâs a hell of a plot twist.
The GeezerWise Lesson
Practical beats pride.
Coolness is a moving target.
Sometimes the smartest upgrade costs less than a dinner out.
Honestly, this tiny shift felt like a little freedom. I donât carry junk anymore. I carry just what I need.
Final Word
So here I am: a minimalist geezer with a fanny pack and aluminum wallets, accidentally stylish.
If you catch me on the street, feel free to mock me⌠but donât be surprised if you end up asking where to get one.
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