Clark Howard's Tips

Avoid fat wallet syndrome with a specially built billfold

October 11, 2007

Clark's reputation for being cheap is so intense that sometimes people come up to him and ask him if he's found any good Chinese toys (with lead paint) for his kids lately. While the intention is humorous, the point is no laughing matter.

Right now there's fear in the land because several government agencies have obviously failed in their duty to keep the American consumer safe.

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Years ago Clark found out from a listener about a wallet made from parachute material. After buying one, he discovered that the material solved the problem of having a bulging billfold or "fat wallet syndrome" as it's sometimes called.

The wallet's manufacturer is a company called ALL-ETT Billfolds -- pronounced like "wallet" without the "w" sound. Clark will be the first to admit that his original ALL-ETT was ugly. In fact, he was only able to recognize it after being mugged once in Madrid because it was so unmistakably hideous to look at!

Recently Clark was on the ALL-ETT website and saw a chic leather-coated version that still features a parachute interior. Well, he just had to have it! Though it cost him $29.95, he thinks it is well worth the purchase price.

If you want advice on how to pick up a basic men's wallet for cheap, try after Father's Day and Christmas. Retailers are overstocked with them at those points, so you can usually find some deals in the single digits.

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