So yesterday my purse was stolen, well it is more of a wristlet but it is my everything. Also, I was fortunate that my ID and credit cards were all still in there (it happened so fast) but all my money was gone (and of course I had a lot as I had just sold a few items locally.) I was at a store I go to every single week and I think I have just become too comfortable in. Don’t get me wrong, I am paranoid about my stuff getting stolen and I always check to make sure my keys, purse and so forth are where they are supposed to be but it just goes to show that you can never be too careful.

Here are 5 Things I Learned When My Purse Was Stolen:

1. I always strap my purse into the child safety strap in the front of the cart. I can’t believe I didn’t do it this time. At least if someone does go to take your purse than they will yank the whole cart from you!

2. Have a record at home of what is in your wallet and purse! I have been meaning to do this for years and it literally took me five minutes to complete. When it happened I started panicking trying to remember which credit cards, store cards and so forth I actually had in my wallet. I could eventually figure it out but it is so much easier to have a record at home of what you have so you know if anything is missing. I honestly have about six credit card/debit cards with me at all times (for various purchases) and I might easily miss one of them not being in my wallet.

3. Don’t carry cash on you unless you truly have to! I never ever have more than around $20 on me, this was a rare occurrence and boy did it hurt! With ATMs and cash back at grocery stores being everywhere, there really is no reason to carry a lot of cash on hand.

4. Don’t carry more than you have to. I have a big bulky purse that I tend to leave in the car and just grab my wristlet wallet, maybe if my purse wasn’t so full I wouldn’t mind wearing it. I also took out some credit cards from my wallet as I realized I can just as easily keep them at home for an emergency.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When I realized my wallet was gone, I was frantic at the registers. I loudly asked about a manager, security cameras and said I was going to search the store. Within minutes, my wristlet purse was found – I think because the purse was afraid to be caught with it and they hit the jackpot with all the cash they got out of it. I wish though I would have asked customers nearby if they noticed anyone suspicious with it. Don’t care about what others think, be as emotional as you need to be and ask for help.