Recently, the folks over at alice.com introduced a new photo series called "Me, Myshelf & I" in which they post photos of people's shelves/medicine cabinets to get a little insight into their readers (and some of the folks who work there.) It's quite similar to the thought process that you can tell a lot about someone by what they keep in their fridge. Course, if that's the case then I can be characterized best by whether you look in my fridge close enough to a shopping day. Otherwise, it's beer, condiments, tomato sauce and some Poland Spring water.

There is some truth to the idea that material things hand us insight about a person, though. It shows what matters to them, what they find important. Whether it's a living room with wall to wall bookshelves, a 63" plasma screen TV, picture frames with friends and family trailing up the staircase or a clean, minimal starkness with only a laptop on your coffee table there are things we surround ourselves with that say what we sometimes don't.

I think one of the best indicators of this subconscious projection lies in purses and pockets. Since I was in high school I've had a kind of weird obsession with looking at the contents of people's wallets. This is especially precarious with guys I have been interested in or seeing. They seem to freak out a bit, thinking I'm searching for some piece to their personal puzzle that they haven't shared or (even better,) I don't trust them. And who can blame them? Your wallet is a very personal little piece of your self.

So, what does my wallet say about me?

Maine Drivers License & Chinese Fortune Cookie Slip - Drivers license photos are worse than the most 80's turquoise laser lighted school picture day and everyone knows it. In this age of digital photos when you see an unflattering pic of yourseld your hit that little button in the upper right of your keyboard and the picture floats away into the recesses of your computer. I actually rather like my photo, I managed to luck out on it. You usually can't see it though, as I keep a fortune across the lower corner of the clear pocket. It says "You are one of those people who 'goes places in life'" and I've had it in my wallet for at least 3-4 years. My license always confuses people as well since it has my legal name (Elisabeth) not my nickname (Elisa.) Finally, it shows I'm an organ donor. It's all about the little things we can do...

Credit/Debit Cards - I managed to pare mine down to 1 major credit card, 1 store card (Macy's) and 1 debit card. The average American, however, has 7.6 credit/store/debit cards which has helped to contribute to the current economic situation many of us have found ourselves in. It's the life of instant gratification we've grown accustomed to. In fact, in searching for a more national bank to switch to from my local savings bank, I decided on Bank of America for two reasons. One, their Keep the Change program is a fantastic way to force yourself to set aside some savings. The second...I saw during a NESN game that I could get a Boston Red Sox Check Card. That night I went online and set up the account.

Discount/Savings/Loyalty Cards - Everyplace from the local burrito joint to the coffee shop on the corner to stores and hotels are offering their customers discount/savings/loyalty cards. This has been something these places have been doing for a while now, but seem to be doing a lot more given the harsh consumer buying situation. My discount cards involve dinner and libation (2 Brewery Pubs and a Portland Dine Around card,) business (Mariott Rewards and IHOP,) and fashion (DSW...yep...I'm that girl!)

Insurance Cards - There was a time when I went to my doctor or the student health center with no idea how the bill magically got paid. They never even asked for my ID card, it was just more of the magic. I'm assuming that it was photocopied on a file somewhere, but I'm not really sure. Now that I actually get the bills for those pesky co-pays and prescriptions (sorry Mom & Dad) I have the boring grown up portion of my wallet that includes my auto insurance, vision insurance, HMO insurance and dental insurance cards. You never know when you're going to need one of these, and now that I have to assume responsibility for taking care of myself, I guess I should have them readily available. Course, my job probably contributes a little as well.

Other Grown-Up/Business Stuff - That's where the rest of my card slots are allocated. I'm sure you were wondering what IHOP has to do with business. I occasionally sub at a business networking group there, and have a referral slip for the group as well from my last visit. I keep about 5 extra business cards in case I forget or misplace my business card holder, two receipts I need to file with my 2010 tax stuff, and somehow have 2 other people's business cards I haven't put into my folder at the office. When did my wallet become a catch all pseudo-manila folder for business junk?!

Cash - I have a $1 bill. Yep, that's it. I barely ever carry cash anymore, since most places will take my magic Red Sox or Visa card. When I was younger I was diligent about depositing my Filene's Department Store check and taking out $20 in "spending money" every week. I'd carefully keep track of where the $20 went, and nickel and dime myself right down to...well...my nickels and dimes. Now, with the advent of online checking, I can track of my spending seeing the records online instead of trying to remember exactly how much dinner out with friends was. I also have a ton of silver change, an imperative to parallel parking in the Downtown and Old Port districts of Portland.

Fun Stuff - Here's the real personality to the wallet. First off, it's a 3 year old bright striped Kate Spade wallet, which many people find kind of amusing. I'm a huge purse/shoe/accessory girl (as evidenced by the DSW card...) I also have a sterling silver butterfly hair pin, which I'm not really sure why I keep. I can truly say I'm pretty sure it is the only butterfly "thing" I own. I've had it in my wallets since I was about 17...maybe it reminds me of those simpler times. In stark contrast, I have the pocket sized sports schedules to the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Portland Pirates and Portland Sea Dogs in the fold behind my license. It's important to know at a quick glance who is playing who where and when. Helps a lot with making after work plans with friends. And finally I keep a cologne card with Tommy sprayed on it, I just love the outdoorsy summer smell of it.

So, that's a little insight into my wallet (and life!) - what about you? When you open your wallet, what does it say about you?