Minimalist Keywallet

Hi,

If you're like me and hate a bulky wallet and also hate remembering to bring your keys AND wallet here is a simple solution that takes no more than 5 minutes and can be made for under $10.


Anyone can do this and the items needed are easily found.

Here is what you will need:

1.) Key(s) - I had.  $0
2.) A regular-sized rubber band.  I had lying around.  $0
3.) The rubber band from broccoli. I had lying around.  $0  You can find these at your supermarket.  Usually a blue or purple color.
4.) Adhesive velcro (I found mine at Wal-Mart for $3).
5.) A rewards card you rarely use. $0   You can go to most stores and sign up free for one or use those cards AMEX sends you as offers with the "Your Name" on it.
6.) Xacto knife.  $2 Walmart

Total cost: $5

You will want to cut the velcro to fit the handle of the key.  It is important to not any part of the velcro to block the actual key from entering the lock.  Cut off a small square from the soft side of the velcro.  Allow a little extra room on the velcro to ensure as much velcro can be adhered.  You should now have a small square of velcro roughly the size of the key handle. 

Next, clean the key to ensure any dirt or debris is removed from the key to allow a maximum adhesive to bond with the key.  Remove the protective film and adhere velcro to the key.  If desired, you can repeat step 1 and step 2 for the other side of the key.  This is to allow you to attach either side of the key to the velcro easily, however, you are compromising size.  I chose not to do this as I am a minimalist and want to keep this wallet as thin as possible.

Take your Xacto knife and cut off any extra velcro.

Next, line up your velcro (the harder firmer velcro side) to the rewards card.  Cut off any extra velcro.  Being a few millimeters shorter than the card is okay.  Again, clean the card to remove all debris.  Next, adhere the velcro to the rewards card.

Take your broccoli rubber band and wrap it around your credit cards and rewards card.  Leave the velcro side facing out.  Place this band in the middle of the cards.  To ensure the rubber band is tight I suggest putting a few cards in there until there is a slight tension on the band.  I believe I have 6 cards in there now.  

Take your regular rubber band and wrap it around one of the corners of the cards.  Feed this rubber band underneath the broccoli rubber band.  This will keep the regular rubber band from falling off when you flick it off to take out your card(s) / money. Then wrap it around the diagonal corner of the cards.  The regular rubber band keeps the cards in place.  A quick flick of the thumb opens up your wallet and allows you to put folded money in the middle of the card stack.  Try putting your favorite/most used card on the opposite end of the stack to allow fast access to it.  In my picture you will see I have my license as my most used card as officers seem to love pulling me over for my inherent tendency to speed. 

Lastly, velcro your keys to your new wallet!  To add extra protection to the keys to ensure they do not inadvertently get pulled off from the velcro, place them underneath the broccoli rubber band and not allowing the key to velcro just yet.  Once under the rubber band, then you can velcro the keys to the wallet.  You're done!

Thanks!

Also, look on the next page for some minor modifications I have done.  In addition, the next page is helpful if you have a newer keyless car remote as opposed to a key ignition. 

I do have a few modifications I have personally made on my own keywallet.  I took a hole punch and punched a hole in the corner of the rewards card.  Then I took my Xacto knife and trimmed out the hole on the key/remote.  Next, I took a mini carabiner with string that I had from a micro usb thumb drive.  I removed the mini carabiner and secured the keyring in the hole and wrapped it around my car key.  This way my wallet will hang in my ignition while driving and allows me quick access to it when I occasionally (5x a week) go to the drive-thru at Wendy's. 

I also made a quick template of a modification I just thought of to slim the size of the wallet and allow bigger keys/remotes to be attached. 

I am also looking into making this wallet RFID-proof as well which I am sure is quick simple to do.  I just haven't gotten around to it.

I apologize for the layout as this is one of my first instructables but any comments would be appreciated so I can improve the design of the page.

Thanks for looking!