Forgot your card? No problem – you can still pay

LEAVING your wallet at home won’t stop you from spending when you’re out and about.

Many now use fancier ways to pay, like Apple Pay (pictured), Samsung Pay, Android Pay, Garmin Pay or Fitbit Pay.

This means you can “tap and go” at the checkout without the need to carry your bank card.

I’ve been using Apple Pay for months and I’m a convert. Not having to worry about carrying cash is liberating, and there’s no chance I’ll leave my wallet behind at the coffee shop.

I’ve even given Apple Pay via the Apple Watch a go. This always causes a few double takes at the checkout. Paying by watch is still a little odd for some people to witness.

I even had one friend pay for lunch with a payment ring, which took the cake for being the biggest head turner.

I’m more a Garmin girl than an Apple Watch wearer, but the option to pay by wrist is great. Unfortunately, my bank doesn’t offer Garmin Pay and I would need to upgrade to my third Garmin – an expensive move – to have the right watch.

I like to run and, after completing a few races recently, including Sydney’s City to Surf, it was fantastic having my iPhone on me and ducking into the local store to buy what I desperately needed: a Gatorade after the race.

There’s nothing worse than being sweaty and parched after a run with no money in your pocket to buy a quick drink.

Now I don’t bother taking my wallet – there’s no need. Most of us don’t go anywhere without our phone but this can end up being a trap as well. Being able to pay with your phone also means more opportunity to spend.

A few times I’ve been out without any cash or my wallet, I have made little purchases using my smartphone, whether it be buying a drink or a small snack that I probably wouldn’t have bought otherwise.

I’ve had a few friends who have resisted Apple Pay until recently and have finally jumped on the bandwagon – they love it. The best bit is that you have to authenticate each transaction, so if someone steals my phone or device, they cannot make a payment.

All transactions need a PIN, a fingerprint scan or Face ID if you have the latest iPhone X, before it goes through.

This is an extra layer of security that your bank card fails to have.