Money belts, neck wallets, etc.

Old Feb 20th, 2015, 11:43 AM
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Money belts, neck wallets, etc.

What do you think of neck wallets and other hidden ways to carry money and credit cards?

In all my years of traveling abroad, I've never used one. My travel companion and I each carried a different credit card and some money, so we wouldn't be stuck if one of us got pick-pocketed. Luckily, it never happened. But I'll be traveling solo next time, and I'm wondering if I want some kind of secret pocket. Or will I be okay keeping my extra cash and cards in the hotel room safe?

I'd like to hear your opinions on whether to get one, and if so, what type.

Thanks,
Celia
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Old Feb 20th, 2015, 06:01 PM
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kja
 
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I (solo female traveler) ALWAYS use one of these options.

I don't like the neck wallets -- I think they would be too easy for someone to snag. Instead, I want something that has no exposed parts. I've used money belts, "shoulder-holster" style pockets, and pockets that can be clipped to a bra. You might go with the one that you find most comfortable.

And get two, so you can wash one out each night. ;-)
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Old Feb 20th, 2015, 09:07 PM
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I travel solo and always wear a money belt. I agree that the neck wallets are likely too easy to steal, and I would think they would be uncomfortable. Note that a money belt is NOT meant to be accessed in public. I carry one day's supply of cash separately. I am currently using this: http://www.backpacktravelstore.com/L...p/grlkwmbb.htm and feel undressed without it when I'm traveling. (I wear it with the pouch at the back.)

You mention hotel safes. If there is a safe I often use it, but I frequently stay in places that don't have them.
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Old Feb 21st, 2015, 07:01 AM
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I travel solo and use both a moneybelt and a neck pouch. Sounds a Little extreme, maybe. But it makes me feel safer. I am sometimes a bit unaware of what is going on around me.

If I know a pickpocket can only get a very small amount of money from my pockets I can concentrate on looking at the sights instead of nervously looking at everyone who gets too close.

And I agree with thursdaysd. Keep a day's cash accessible and do NOT touch the moneybelt in public. If you absolutely must get money out of it you should go into a toilet stall and lock the door.
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Old Feb 21st, 2015, 07:27 AM
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Of course you don't access a money belt in public.
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Old Feb 21st, 2015, 07:42 AM
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If your hotel has a safe, you don't need anything of the kind.
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Old Feb 21st, 2015, 08:42 AM
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Celia wrote: "Of course you don't access a money belt in public."

I've seen people do it. Not anyone I actually know, but people in line at ticket offices and shops.
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Old Feb 21st, 2015, 10:17 AM
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Why do people think that crooks must all be stupid or all work the same way?

You have 4 kinds of crooks to consider. Scam artists who talk you out of your money. Pickpockets who literally put their hand in your pocket and steal your money. Snatch artists who grab your bag of your shoulder or whatever and run. Muggers who hold a knife in your face and say, 'gimme your money.'

Most if not all of them know what a money belt or neck wallet or whatever else you use, is. They won't stop a scam artist or a mugger and may or may not stop a pickpocket. So that means you've only covered 1 of 4 possibilities. It isn't the crooks that are stupid, it's the tourists.

So here is how you protect your money, passport and other valuables. First, realize that there will always be some risk. Leave things like expensive watches, cameras, cellphones and jewellery at home if you don't want to risk them being stolen. Otherwise, insure them and take the risk.

Next, since you have to travel with your passport, keep photocopies in your luggage or better yet, online that you can print out and go to apply for an emergency replacement. Same with your credits cards etc. If you are prepared for them to be stolen, you are ahead of most tourists.

Next, never walk around with a lot of cash. That's what ATMs are for. If someone sticks a knife in your face and says 'gimme your money' you'd be an idiot to not hand over your money belt. So you might as well not use one. All it takes is the crook to pull up your shirt and see it and you've got a pi**ed off crook with a knife. Wanna risk that? Give them whatever they want.

The only precaution I take is against the bag snatcher and pickpockets. I keep my money (and passport if I have it on me) in my front pocket and that pocket has a velcro closure. Velcro is the bane of pickpockets. Try opening a velcroed pocket without it being felt and heard. Carrying a bag on your arm with anything valuable in it is just stupidity.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2015, 03:27 AM
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Thank you to all who gave me your opinions on what I asked; I appreciate it.

Celia
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Old Feb 25th, 2015, 09:03 AM
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Since I go in the seasons where I usually wear a coat, I just put my purse over my shoulder or crossbody under my coat and button the coat. I keep some quick cash in a pocket but everything else is under the coat and can't be seen.
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Old Feb 25th, 2015, 11:24 AM
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I think it depends on your destination.

Some trips I would use a money belt under my clothing, especially if I was moving around a lot, but others I feel comfortable with my normal pocketbook I'd use at home.
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Old Feb 25th, 2015, 04:31 PM
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I wear a fanny pack in front of me. I access it when I need something. I've been told it looks nice on me, which is a bonus I suppose.
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 04:24 AM
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I always wear an under-clothing security pouch. My favourite is the PacSafe RFIDSafe 100. It fits nicely in the small of my back under the waistband and I hardly realize it's there. Of course, it can only be accessed in private so it takes some planning to figure out what needs to go in there during the day and what needs to be in other more readily accessible places. I've described a few strategies in the post Tips on protection from pickpockets:
http://packinglighttravel.com/travel...n-pickpockets/
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 06:07 AM
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If it isn't too warm try to get a travel vest or jacket. I have a safari style jacket fro, L.L. Beans and a vest from Eddie Bauers. Both have several inside pockets which close shut. It works for me. Also and obviously be aware of your surroundings.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 10:17 AM
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>>

It really just depends on your comfort level, where you're going, what kind of lodging you'll be staying in, etc. Everyone has to do what they're most comfortable with.


I almost always travel solo and don't use anything special. I have a daybag (messenger style bag) that has locking/clip closed zippers that I use and it works well for me. In it, I have a days worth of cash, my main ATM card and main credit card, along with my camera, journal, maps, etc. There's a small pocket on the inside of the bag that zips closed where I put my passport or a photo copy of it depending on the day. That side of the bag is always against me, never on the outside. The bag is just perfectly situated for me to rest my hand on it and I pull it in front of me in crowds. On a night train, it fits nicely between me and the wall and same idea on a plane.

I leave my backup credit card(s) and ATM card in my hotel, either locked in my suitcase or in the safe. I rarely have much extra cash but when I do that stays in the hotel as well. If my wallet is stolen, I'm completely fine and just need to call the company to report the loss and close the card. One precaution that I am usually VERY careful to take is to backup my photos almost daily. If my bag or camera is taken, I will only lose that days photos rather than all of them.

My hotels aren't fancy, but are pretty safe so I don't worry about leaving things in the room, especially if I put them inside my bag and lock it. It certainly wouldn't stop a determined thief, but it keeps things out of sight and prevents a quick grab.


Knock on wood, this has always worked quite well for me in the past. My next trip is to India and I'm planning on taking a small pocket with a belt loop that fits inside your clothing. I don't know how much I'll use it but with the heavy crowds in some places it seems like a good precaution.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 10:39 AM
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<It really just depends on your comfort level, where you're going, what kind of lodging you'll be staying in, etc. Everyone has to do what they're most comfortable with. >
That's really it.

I would feel antsy carrying all my valuables around with me, in however safe a bag or contraption. That just feels risky to me. YMMV.
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Old Mar 15th, 2015, 08:51 AM
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We always travel in spring or fall, thus wearing jeans or slacks all the time. We use the 'leg safe' type, and find it very comfortable and easy to access (in private) without having to remove clothing or pull shirt tails out etc.
Example:
http://www.amazon.com/Austin-House-L.../dp/B008HYWUE0
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Old Mar 16th, 2015, 08:03 AM
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Room safes aren't necessarily secure. Too many people have had access to them over time. The safe at the hotel desk is secure. So if you're going to leave valuables at the hotel, leave them in the main hotel safe.

We use money belts, me a silk one around my waist and my husband one around the neck. And he makes use of assorted pockets that zip or button or Velcro closed. Men's clothing seems to have more pockets. It's much more relaxing to travel without worrying about pickpockets. But now I've acquired a smartphone, and I'm worrying -- in another thread -- about how to carry it.
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Old Mar 16th, 2015, 04:17 PM
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@ Travelnut -- I've always wondered whether there is any risk of the leg safes sliding down. I take it you haven't had that experience?
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Old Mar 18th, 2015, 02:44 PM
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No, we both have used them for several years of travel now... I almost have to make myself feel that it's still there. Occasionally, I might need to adjust the velcro strap if it pinches, normally it does not bother me.
Before those, we used the flat waist pouches, under the clothes. More trouble to get into them, and sometimes the tie ribbon was about to come undone.
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