# Going wallet-less in NYC

By [Hard Mode First](https://hardmodefirst.xyz) · 2019-01-25

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I forgot my wallet on the way to work today.

I didn’t sleep well, it was pouring rain, and I was already running late, so by the time I got to the subway, the thought of retracing my steps, trekking back up four flights of stairs and into my apartment was not going to fly. I decided right then and there to wing it.

To start, I turned around while facing the subway turnstile to the man standing behind me.

_“I’m so sorry to have to ask…”_ I began. _“But is there any chance you have an extra swipe?”_

He did a quick split-second double take and then declared, _“Oh, sure. Why not?”_ And swiped me in.

_“Thank you \*so\* much,”_ I repeated. _“I forgot my wallet today, and I’m already running late, so I mean…”_

But he was already gone, through the turnstile and down the subway steps. My first test was complete.

The next thing I normally do on my way to work is buy a coffee by the office. There are a couple of places near our office that I love, and I knew I had two options: Go to the place I frequent the most in the mornings and ask them to spot me — or go to the place where I have enough points racked up on a loyalty card to get me a free coffee.

I opted for the latter.

_“Hi, I’d like to use my points please.”_

_“Sorry, we don’t accept points on rainy days,”_ the cashier smirked at me.

_“Oh, well that’s too bad, as I left my wallet at home today.”_

In the end, I had enough points stacked up to cover my latte.

At work, I had a mid-afternoon meeting cancellation, which spared me the embarrassment of not being able to buy someone a coffee. But I also missed the office lunch order, which meant I was on my on.

I decided to try my luck at a local carry-out Thai food spot I love. By the time I arrived, the line was already out the door.

_“Do you accept Apple Pay?”_ I shouted over 3–4 people ahead of me.

_“Of course!”_ she replied.

Crisis averted. The pad see ewe beef had never been better.

I was feeling pretty good about the rest of my afternoon until I realized that I’d be unable to get home without another free subway swipe.

I _could_ walk home, but it would have taken a good hour, and I had more to do at home tonight, so I decided to risk it. Thankfully, a colleague slipped me a $5 and two Metrocards as a failsafe.

_“They’re probably expired,”_ he warned. _“But might as well try.”_

As it turns out, they had expired. By this point, stubborn as ever, I decided I was only prepared to use the $5 in case of emergency. I did the thing you’re not supposed to do — and waited patiently by the rear station entrance at a subway station where no pay machines or cashiers existed. I waited until a full subway car of rush-hour pedestrians exited the station, and as soon as the emergency exit door was propped open, I took advantage of the window and slipped through.

I made it home in short order, went upstairs to retrieve my wallet, and then took myself out to dinner.

And that was my wallet-free day in NYC. As it turned out, aside from the subway card swipes, I barely missed it. Maybe it’s time for NYC to move (like Chicago has done) to an Apple Pay compliant subway system. It certainly would have made a day like today even more seamless.

_Originally published at_ [_Dry Erase_](http://bethanycrystal.com/blog/2019/01/25/going-wallet-less-in-nyc/)_._

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*Originally published on [Hard Mode First](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/going-wallet-less-in-nyc)*