I love cork. It's an admittedly specific interest, but the material is just so appealing to me. It is soft but fairly durable, very environmentally sustainable, and even looks nice to me. It's gotten to the point where I have this vague dream of installing a cork subfloor one day, just cork as far as the eye can see, but that all started with a little cork wallet.
I am not vegan nor vegetarian, but I have been at various points in my life. Even now when buying something, I always try to ask: Does it need to be an animal product? Sometimes there are legitimate benefits, but often, there are great alternatives that just aren't as well known because animal products are the default.
Years ago, I needed a new wallet. I wanted something small — I don't carry a ton of cards or cash — and I wanted something that looked like leather but wasn't. Enter Corkor and their cork wallets.
I bought the wallet without any particular expectations. I didn't know much about Corkor. I assumed it would work for a while at least, but that I might need to get something new in a couple of years, which was fine with me. Much to my surprise, 7 years later, it's still going strong, just as usable as day one.
There are some dings, of course, but that's one of the beauties of cork: it can get pretty banged up before it looks "wrong". I didn't even notice many of these dings until taking photos for this article — they don't bother me at all day-to-day.
I love how thin it is. There are several pockets, but I never have to worry about it bulging out in my pocket. It feels almost like a money clip, but a little more functional.
I've also since found out a little more about Corkor, and I admire their way of doing things. They hold certifications from PETA and the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which I'm not familiar enough with to say how strict the requirements are, but still, it's more than a lot of other brands can say. If nothing else, a real interest in sustainability feels like it matters, especially these days. All their accessories are apparently made to order, and they try to sell directly to consumers as much as possible with a focus on lasting products. Remind you of anyone? ;)
The surprise
To me, this wallet is a clear example of how the things you use reflect and shape you. When I was shopping around, I had this vague idea that I wanted something minimal. I couldn't have even articulated why, really, just that it felt right.
Now, looking back, I think what I was looking for was something that was "enough". The wallet has a surprising number of pockets, but each pocket is really only good for one or maybe two cards. It's one small barrier to help me avoid cards (and by extension spending rabbit holes) I don't really need; I literally can't carry them.
I have a use for all the pockets right now and it's hard to fit anything else, which is ideal, because I don't need anything else. My ultimate goal when dealing with anything financial is to just have enough. I want to feel secure, and beyond that, I don't need much more. My cork wallet has become a reflection of this: a conscious purchase, simple but versatile, small but resilient, and most importantly, enough.
