My wallet was stolen from my diaper bag!

[stinkyfeet]

I took DS to the Barnes and Noble bookstore this morning for reading time. I keep my wallet in my diaper bag which was hanging in my stroller via stroller hooks.

I parked my stroller very close by, but the reading session was a bit crowded this morning. Since the children's area is isolated and located at the back of the bookstore, I figure that the thief pretty much has to be a mom or a nanny. Also, they charged thousands of dollars on multiple cards at the Apple Store.

Anyway, to the point of my post. I need to figure out a way that i can keep my wallet in my diaper bag, but be able to take it out and be hands-free to chase DS around. For moms who don't keep your wallet in your diaper bag, what do you use--fanny pack, small purse carried across body??? Stylish suggestions are appreciated!!!!

(I currently carry Storksak Emily in pewter and a Baby Sherpa in Camo for big outings)

TIA!!!!
:wavey:

[♥ms.pacman♥]

i'm pretty sure no one else here does this, but i always carry a separate purse for my own stuff (wallet, keys, cell, makeup etc). i have a diaper bag and my own purse (usually a shoulder purse). for me, it's not that much of a hassle, esp since my diaper bag is a backpack. actually it's easier bc then i don't have to keep taking stuff (cell, wallet etc) out of the diaper bag for when DH takes DS or whatever. and when i go for quick errands like the grocery store i usually just keep the diaper bag in the car and just take my purse into the store. i too worry a lot about theft so that's another reaosn i don't put my wallet in my diaper bag. when we went to the pumpkin patch on the hayride i was able to leave diaper bag etc hanging off stroller (kept my purse with me) and i didn't have to worry about anything valuable getting stolen.

anyway, sorry that your wallet got stolen, that really sucks..cant' believe another mom would do that!! hope you were able to cancel the charges and everything.

[WolfpackMom]

I am so sorry! At the apple store you pay through handheld itouches and they email a receipt. Theoretically if the person used their email address when paying the store will be able to help the police determine who did this.

[Nechums]

i use a coach swingpack for my own stuff. its big enough to hold my keys, cell phone and any other important items that i wouldnt want to leave around. but its small enough to not get in the way and it keeps me hands free since its worn across the chest. i highly recommend it -- i only wish i had gotten it sooner!

here's a link of a swingpack example -- http://www.amazon.com/Signature-Peyton-Swingpack-Crossbody-Messenger/dp/B003JCCADG

[Momof3Labs]

I don't like keeping my wallet in my diaper bag for that exact reason - it's too easy to forget that it is there and turn my back for a moment, which is all that it takes. DH is particularly bad about not watching the diaper bag when it is on the stroller, which really bugged me when my wallet was in there. Plus, a mom friend had her diaper bag stolen in the grocery parking lot on her way into the store - her wallet was in there but her phone and keys were not.

I currently use a very small cross-body bag (the largest piece of a Ju-Ju-Be BeSet) but have also used a Vera Bradley hipster (a little big for this purpose) and a Vera Bradley all-in-one wristlet (dangled easily from my wrist - worked better than I thought it would but no place for my keys or sunglasses in the summer).

http://www.shopjujube.com/Product.aspx?l=00030011000000000000&p=JJB01282

http://www.verabradley.com/product/Hipster/1001054/defaultColor/Baroque/p/1001054.uts

http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/Accessories/All-in-One-Wristlet/154832/defaultColor/Baroque/pc/638/c/0/sc/645/p/154832.uts

[bubbaray]

I don't use a diaper bag anymore, but used to use the previous version of this from Eagle Creek: http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/pouches_waistpacks/Market-Pouch-40510/

ETA: I also have 2 Swingpacks that I use (still)

[Katigre]

I think having a diaper bag with multiple hidden pockets is the key to security as well - my old diaper bag had a pocket that was virtually unnoticeable (and not able to be opened when it was hanging off a stroller) where I kept a wallet and my own personal items.

[Reyadawnbringer]

I have a little card wallet. It literally only holds my credit card and ID. I keep that in my pocket. I know a lot of women's clothing doesn't have pockets, but I mostly buy clothes that do...

Other than that... sometimes I keep just my credit card in my bra. It's not ideal, but I have a large chest so you can't really tell....:bag

[Momit]

I have a small purse (with room for my keys, wallet, lip gloss and a tin of cuticle cream and nothing else) that I sometime carry inside a larger purse, and sometimes carry on its own.

Both the large and small bags are made by The Sak, like these:
http://www.thesak.com/Janet_Minis_Crossbody_Flap/pd/np/211/p/1241.html
http://www.thesak.com/Classics_Large_Shopper/pd/cl/626/np/202/p/1136.html

I do have quite a few nicer leather bags/purses, but the bags themselves are so heavy that I rarely use them since I started carrying a diaper bag 2 years ago. I find that the crocheted/cloth ones are much lighter.

[Momto1]

Sorry to hear about your wallet being stolen!

I use a JuJuBe BeMine as my wallet, and I take it out and carry it either on my shoulder or cross-body if I'm going to be away from the diaper bag. http://www.amazon.com/Ju-Be-Mine-Wallet-Toffee/dp/B001C3Z13U

I've also done like PP and just carried a small ID holder with my DL and debit card in my pocket.

[inspirationskpt]

I am so sorry. I had that happen to me once while shopping - it is the worst feeling.

I use a Coach Swingback. Easy, simple and let's me do what I need to do with my kids with absolutely no interference.

[ang79]

Wow, that really stinks! I go to Border's every week for story time, never even thought about something like that happening!

I rarely use a stroller though and if I do its for such a short trip that I don't attach my bag to it. When DD2 was younger I put her in a sling and DD1 walked and I used a cross-body bag to hold their stuff and mine. Now they are both big enough to walk and I just use a larger purse to hold a few dipes, wipes, their two sippies and snacks, and my wallet, keys, and cell. I keep spare clothes and dipes in the car in case of accidents. Sometimes I have a shoulder bag and I will sit it down next to where DD2 is playing/reading books (DD1 is 4 so she sits and listens to the stories, DD2 is not quite 2 yet, so she still runs around quite a bit). Or I have several cross-body purses (Haiku To-Go, Lesportsac Everyday Deluxe, Vera Bradley Cargo Sling) and I just keep them on me.

I do prefer wallets with a wristlet strap, easier to hang onto if I am just running into a store quick and have the girls with me. Right now I am using a Fleurville wallet with a wristlet strap that I added to it, I've also used the Vera Bradley Zip Around wallet (and FYI, certain patterns are on sale for $15 at the VB website today and tomorrow!). I've also used the JuJuBe BeMine, which has either a wristlet strap or cross-body/shoulder strap and JuJuBe makes a bigger version called the BeMajor which holds and organizes more stuff and has those extra straps.

[stinkyfeet]

Thank you for all of your suggestions! I'm definitely going to look into all of the options. :waving4: