Do you actually use a money belt?
 

What's the appeal of a money belt? Can't I just keep some cash in my front pocket? Do I really need my passport on me at all times? Is it handy to get to? Do you keep it under your clothes?
Going to Italy- Venice, Positano, and Rome.
Thanks!

You can do what you feel is best for yourself. Some people hate moneybelts while others like myself prefer to use them.

An actual money belt is a real belt with a zipper so you can stuff money into it. An undergarment pouch is what some people use to keep credit cards and their passport but they don't access it during the day. They keep some cash handy like you want to do.

You wouldnt need it in Positano, maybe in Venice and Rome but you may not need it at all. Some people like them some don't.

I use one a good deal and since you never noticed me wearing it that means it was working the way it is supposed to!

You can keep as much cash, stocks, bonds, secrets of the universe, your girlfriend's phone number or anything else you want anyWHERE you want.

Will you get robbed or pickpocketed? probably not?

Will you wish you had taken other precautions if you Do get robbed/pickpocketed? i suspect you will.

I have not usually carried my passport with me and amazingly enough I usually leave it in the room safe and it has never been stolen.

Moral of the story; take the precautions you feel are best. Nobody here or anywhere really gives a whit and they certainly aren't going to be checking to see what you do or don't do.

Hi

No, I don't use a money belt when I travel. But I do try to take extra good care of my wallet when I walk in crowded areas...to have to wallet in the front pocket normally do the trick :-) I normally leave my passport in the hotel safe. I have posted a trip report from Rome on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there. My wife and I also went to Venice a couple of years back and here is the link to that trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_venice.htm . Get in touch if you have any questions :d

Regards
Gard

There are some very attractive small bags on a belt. I have a brown leather Longchamp that I wear for biking. It has zipper and is about 8 inches long. I tie leather sho laces on the belt loops to make a shoulder strap.

There are several postings on this forum by those who regretted not having used money belts to protect themselves from pickpockets -- usually with a description, "It happened so fast."

Having just returned from Positano and Rome, I'm definitely an anti-money belt wearer. As a woman, I always travel with a pocketbook that zips or closes securely, I leave every single unnecessary credit card at home and I always put my passport in the hotel safe. My husband, who would rather swim to Italy rather than wearing a money belt, always puts a rubber band around his wallet which he keeps in his front trouser pocket - the rubber band makes it just a bit harder to extrace anything from his pocket.

Bottom line: Don't know where you live from your post but, if it's any city in the US, would you be putting on a money belt when you're heading into a crowded area. My guess is "no" but you bet you'd use some common sense, trust your instincts and take reasonable precautions. Why in the world would Italy - or ANY foreign country - be an exception?

Yes, yes, and yes.

We have been to Venice and Rome, and used it both places. There are alot more people in Rome (6 million vs 40K or so) and alot more potential for an unfortunate event.

We had heard lots of stories about being extra careful in Rome, so I was diligent about wearing mine, even thought I hate it - what woman need to look like she's carrying an extra 5 lbs on her belly?

Seriously, though, on the way back home, a woman told me a story of a friend of hers, sitting on a bus, holding her purse tight, and realized when she got back to the hotel at night that her wallet had been stolen - ALL her cash, ALL her travelers checks, ALL her credit cards. She had to go by train to Florence to the American Express office there to get a temporary American Express card.

To me, it's not worth the risk. We have carried our passports in out money belt, but this time left them in the apartment and walked with the copies should we need them.

To each their own, but I would rather not take the risk. Our apartment owners told us to try not to go out during the day with anything (purse, wallet, etc.) I found this quite difficult seeing as we needed meds, sunscreen, camera, extra film, but knew a backpack would not be safe.

We ended up buying a Metro Bag 200 Anti Theft thanks to a tip here. It served the purpose. Tamper-proof zippers, wire-cutter proof strap, and ALWAYS worn across the shoulders so it couldn't be pulled off.

Better safe than sorry...

I do use a money belt. That is, a small pouch that goes around my waist under my clothes. In it, I put my credit cards, ATM card, passport, train passes, and any paper tickets.

Now I'm sure many people have gone to Europe and never been pickpocketed. But others have been. Last year in Paris every time I rode the Metro, somebody unzipped my purse. Not much in it of course, but.... A money belt is just another form of insurance.

My husband regularly uses his inside-the-trousers money belt. One time in Nice having the belt saved him from losing cash just taken from an ATM machine--a group of gypsies came up and tried to steal his empty wallet.

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. I'm still undecided, but I've always been curious what people's thoughts were on the subject.

Yes, I wear a moneybelt under clothing....silk so it breathes & isn't uncomfortable. I only carry enough cash in my handbag to get through the day. I would never take the risk of losing important things I'd have trouble replacing in Europe and wouldn't want to spend the time on in any case. Wearing one around my waist tucked securely under clothing was no big deal. I did not get into it in public, so "handy" access is not an issue. I limited my "handy cash" to what I needed on the day & put THAT in a more accessible place. Why play russian roulette with my valuables? Makes no sense to me. But not everyone agrees. Only you know your tolerance for risk. And your ability to absorb a loss far from home, both time and money and docs.

This is such a personal thing, there's just no one right answer! I've never used a money belt, in over 40 years of travel. I carry a very <b>small, lightweight</b>, over-the-shoulder bag w/a few zippered pockets, and I do what my globe-trotting mama taught me to do: securely attach a strong, 8&quot; piece of elastic to my wallet, which I then clip (or sew) securely inside my purse. So not only is my wallet virtually impossible to steal, but also when I take it out, I can never forget to put it back (important for absent-minded people like me). And if I use a clip on one end, then I can detach it if I absolutely have to (rarely). The over-the-shoulder bag goes with me everywhere, &amp; I mean everywhere.

ONE time -- and one time only -- did I not use this technique. And that was the one time I had my wallet stolen...

DH, who absolutely refuses to carry a &quot;purse&quot; of any sort, does use a money belt. Keeps his passport &amp; money in it, only takes it off to shower.

I live in a large northeastern U.S. city. I do wear a money belt when travelling in Europe, but not in the U.S. Do I think that European cities are more dangerous than U.S. cities? Of course not. I do know, however, that my ability to communicate and resolve the problems ensuing from a stolen wallet or handbag is greater here than when I am in a place where I do not speak the language. So, for me, it is worth the minor inconvenience of taking the money belt abroad.

A money belt or some similar under the clothes type device is the most foolproof way IMO to thwart the many pickpockets lurking about in huge tourist draws, especially in Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid and Barcelona, etc.

I wear one and use it from the time i get on the plane to the time i get off the plane back home - in 36 years of travel never been robbed though folks have stuck their hands in my pockets occasionally.

I keep my passport with me and all credit cards, and large bills in my MB at all times. The moneybelt soon becomes part of my body practically.

Neck pouches can be snatched, at times resulting in injury when they are grabbed and forcefully pulled off.

I want to add that I, too, carry my passport, extra cash, and credit cards in the moneybelt as I don't trust any hotel safe nor feel that locking my belongings in my suitcase gurantees anything. Why did I choose to use a moneybelt in the first place? Because I almost became a theft victim on the Paris metro once and that was enough to change my mind about using a moneybelt.

Yes, I do wear a money belt and wouldn't travel abroad without one. You don't want to lose your passport, or the bulk of your money.

I read about travel pants as well, I've not seen them (to my knowledge!) with zippers that are harder to see.

Yes, I use a money belt ever since my wife was pickpocketed in Rome and a friend was pickpocketed in Florence. Since using the pouch to hold credit cards, passport, most cash, we have not been pickpocketed and I have a very comfortable feeling.
The one I use is like a 5X8&quot; pouch, very soft on the skin side, lined with plastic to protect against moisture.
I don't trust hotels, safes, or anyone but my wife and I wherever we go; especially with such important items.
I wear it inside my pants and it's accessible by pulling it above my belt if needed.
I keep a mininum amount of cash in my wallet and/or front pocket. I carry a travel wallet that is very thin with some dollars and Euros in it.
When I use an ATM for money, daytime only, in front of an open bank in case the machine eats my card, I place the money in the money belt before walking away from the ATM.
My wife uses a similar type that she wears around her neck on a long flat strap. It goes inside her pants/skirt.
We have NOT had any problems since doing this. If it happens to you, and it can regardless of how careful you are, you simply won't believe how quick and easy they did it. You won't know until you look for it.
A little caution to save a LOT of grief.
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Myself and 2 friends always use a money belt. My one friend, does not. I told her about 4 trips ago, if you get pickpocked, you are on your own. We are not wasting days of our trip trying to get you back home, and the good thing is that I mean it. I have run into 3 people over the years who have lost their passport, credit cards and cash. I personally was only targeted once on the #64 bus in Rome and I caught the lady in the act and yelled at her. 6 people got off at the next stop and huddled together, 2 women (1 was the lady who tried to open my purse), 2 small boys and 2 men.

If you're a guy, you might like the &quot;leg stash&quot; which straps around your calf and is covered by your jeans or slacks. My husband and I both wear that kind these days, quite comfortable and handy. Even though it's easier to access if you need to, don't do that where people can see.

http://www.magellans.com/store/Safet...ltsSV676?Args=

I have never used a money belt. I travel with a small amount of cash and use the ATM for cash and charge anything that can be charged.

I keep my passport in the hotel safe.

I only travel with my passport, drivers license and two charge cards. I make photocopies of all of the above mentioned items.

I carry the drivers license, the photocopy of the passport and ONE charge card when I'm out and about. They are usually store in my bra -- not hi tech, I know, but no one's getting in there!

If I do carry a purse, it's always my small black bag on a very thick strap (hard to cut off) diagonally across my sholder to hip and it's under my coat if I have one on.

I've never had any problems. I use this same strategy weather I'm traveling domestically or abroad.

My philosophy is this...be safe, take the precautions that your comfortable with, and never be without money or ID. I figure if I'm out and about and lose my drivers license and my charge card I can head to the hotel and cancel the card and renew the license when I get home. I've still got my passport and the other charge card handy.

Have fun!

I never can get past that it isn't alot of bother to replace my i.d. and whatnot if they get stolen especially when on a trip overseas. I figure that it is a hassle and I'd rather not take any chances. I read about people having problems reaching their credit card companies while overseas due to time differences and other reasons. So if that can be minimized to me it's best.

Well, of course, it's a bother! But, I am carrying it in my bra in a little pouch, so the chances of losing it or having it stolen are pretty slim. I am taking precautions, mine just isn't a money belt.

Losing or having your ID/credit card stolen is a horrible inconvenience, but in the whole scheme of things, much worse things could happen.

Mnanni:

YES, Yes, yes to money belts. The appeal? I get to keep my cash. I’ve been picked, all because I didn’t follow my own advice.

You can find a soft fabric model that ties around your waist, underneath your clothing. You won’t even know you have it on - and neither will anyone else. It not readily accessible, but that’s the intention. I usually have some spending cash in my pocket, but no wallet to show any bulk. If I need more cash, then the inconvenience of going into the bathroom is worth it, I think.

I know some will say “but you don’t wear a money belt in your own city. Why would you do so on vacation?” A common and valid question, and if I may plagiarize and compliment Clairobscur, for her excellent answer to that. I remember reading this after I was picked and dug it up!


Author: clairobscur
Date: 09/13/2005, 01:36 am
Being robbed in a foreign country is both more likely and more annoying than being robbed at home.

I live in Paris. I'm not likely to be victimized by a pickpocket because :

-I don't hang out much in the touristy spots where the pickpockets are operating

-Being in a familiar place, I'm much more likely to notice that something, or someone's behavior, is abnormal

-I don't look like a tourist, so, I'm unlikely to be an interesting target : I won't have an expensive camera, nor plenty of cash in my wallet

-I'm way more likely to complain to the police and to press charges if the pickpocket is caught.

-I wont be distracted because I'm looking at a map or taking a picture.

And anyway, even if I'm victimized, at worst I'll lost a minimal amount of money and will have to get a new ID and a new CC, and it won't be a major hassle. On the other hand, if I were a tourist, I could have lost my passport, all my money and plastic, my plane tickets, etc... and it could be a major issue to have everything settled down in and/or from a foreign country. My vacations could be ruined. I could also have lost expensive stuff.

So, as a Parisian, I'm not very concerned about pickpockets. But if I were a foreigner vacationing in Paris, I most certainly would be.


Thank you, Clairobscur!

I also know many will say, “I’ve been to &lt;city name&gt; and never been picked.” That’s great. I could also say that I’ve never worn a seatbelt and have yet to be injured. That doesn’t make me any more the smarter for not wearing it. The risk has not gone away.

It’s not just a matter of risk; it’s a matter of consequence, as Clairobscur points out in her second to last paragraph.

I am not comfortable with a money belt - they are always too bulky for me. I am a small person so a 5&quot;x6&quot; panel across my front or lower back can be a problem. There isn't really any place for it to comfortably sit flat on my body. Plus in the summer time with smaller clothing and the way current styles fit, there isn't much room in clothing for a money belt anyway. Same with the neck pouch - totally visible with most summer clothing.

So to avoid pickpockets, I made a flat fabric sleeve with a velcro closure - it is big enough to hold my ID, a couple credit cards, and some cash. I pin it inside my clothes and then when I need something, I slip into a bathroom and access the sleeve. I suppose a person could also attach velcro to the sleeve and to the inside of clothing and carry it that way as well.

jcorrea, your idea sounds nifty, but I often have difficulty finding a bathroom when I need to, um, &quot;use&quot; one...so how do you manage to find a bathroom to slip into whenever you need to buy a bus pass or pay for a bottle of water?!
@:)

Do I *look* like I'd carry a money belt?

You don't put ALL your money into a moneybelt. You put a moderate amount of cash, one credit or debit card in your purse/wallet for the day. The spare/backup cards and the extra cash (say you just hit the ATM for 300E and put 100E in your wallet) go into the moneybelt. The point is to limit potential loss if wallet, purse, whatever is stolen.

Never. Use a purse just like at home - and have never had a problem in over 70 trips.

But then, I'm a native New Yorker and automatically do all the things that don;t make you a target.

And don;t do the silly things that do:

wandering around looking confused, unfolding maps and guidebooks in the center of crowds

leaving purse on the back of a chair or on the ground/floor

being unaware of what's going on around you

letting strangers &quot;help&quot; you - or ask you for help - to distract you

Yes, my husband and I wear money belts. When we were in Rome ten days ago, we were eating lunch outside a cafe several blocks from the Vatican when the elderly British lady at the next table got out her wallet to pay for her meal and sadly realized her purse had been opened. All her money, credit cards, passport and plane tickets were missing. Thank goodness her daughter was traveling with her. They were going straight to the police station to report it.

The cafe owner thought maybe it was one of the flower sellers or beggars who were going from table to table. Of course, we had just come from seeing the Pope give his midday Sunday blessing to the huge crowd in front of St. Peter's. I am sure pickpockets were probably there, too!

In our various trips to Europe, we have several times noticed pickpockets eyeing us or even reaching towards us, but have never actually had anything stolen. We try to be aware of what is happening around us.

Of course, in the twenty years we lived close to New Orleans, we often warned unwary tourists about to lose their wallet from their carelessly opened purse.

We mainly waer the money belts so we won't have to worry about losing anything. Actually, for us, an equal problem might be carelessly forgetting to get our jacket off the back of our chair or laying down a camera for a minute.

Both my husband and I always use a $$ belt when traveling--as I've posted before whenever the question is asked. We have seen how difficult it is to get things that are stolen replaced when overseas. We have been approached in the Paris metro and on the streets of Barcelona--and probably other places that we didn't observe--but no pickpocket would get much from us, because anything valuable in in our $belts.

I have found that for women, who don't care to have the bulk in the front, that wearing the pouch toward the back, where your body is flatter, will be more comfortable.

I find it is silly to think that I am so aware of all that goes on, that I could not pssibly be the victim of a pickpocketer. It only has to happen once, and suffering the consequences would seem to be far worse than enduring the small inconvenience of a $belt while on a trip. After a few days, you don't really notice you have it on. Just my opinion. mhm

We, DH and I, have worn them in the past but don't generally now.

Were I to go into highly unfamiliar or risky territory, or where we would be likely to stand around dazed or looking at maps, I probably would rethink this approach.

I do leave the passport in the hotel safe and carry a copy. I only carry an atm card and 2 credit cards, and I get cash from the ATM as I need it, so I don't carry large amounts.

I agree with the hassle factor (if you do lose the purse/wallet) but I now carry a messenger style bag with a thick strap worn crosswise, and with my hand over the bag/top zipper, esp. in crowded areas. The DH won't wear one and prefers the wallet in the front pocket.

I brought a purse and thank-goodness - it was very handy for carrying my moneybelt around ;)

Cheers,

Murphy

I always keep my money and passport in my handbag, which I make sure it's always closed. If you are cautious, without exagerating, you and your money and passport will be just fine.

&lt;Passport&gt;
First you must know the laws of the country you are visiting. Many require you to carry a form of ID. I always bring my DL, 1 credit card, and a days worth of $ with me (so no I don't wear a moneybelt)I leave the passport, remaining $ and ATM card in the hotel safe.

ready2travel said &quot;Why in the world would Italy - or ANY foreign country - be an exception?&quot; - Because - you don't need a passport in order to get home from a US city!!!! (if you live in the US)

Plus - as others have already mentioned:

If you don't speak the language it's harder to resolve problems with lost property

You don't have a branch of your bank and credit card company just a local phone call away

You are on vacation and don't want to spend precious vacation time getting replacements of credit cards and passports

There IS a difference between travel in your home country versus a foreign country and it has nothing to do with how &quot;safe&quot; a certain city is.

i constantly travel all over the world for work (and pleasure, though unfortunately, less often) and use a money belt on maybe 10-20% of my trips.

some people on this board see the moneybelt as a tool of the inexperienced and paranoid traveller. they take a few trips without one and they are confident that they will not meet a situation that they can't handle.

the pickpocket just needs to get lucky once with you and your trip can be ruined. you need to ensure the safety of your things 100% of the time. there are few better ways of doing this than with a MB or similar devise. i don't care if you are from NYC or kansas, nobody can stay 100% alert 100% of the time. people get tired after a long day, they drink, they get distracted, etc.

also, &quot;pickpocket&quot; can be a misnomer. if anyone has ever been victim of a brute force pickpocket (or team) you know what i'm saying. these attacks are boarderline assaults and use a combination of speed, surprise, and most of all force to get at your stuff.

depending on where and how you travel, you can easily come across situations that are not avoided by just not opening a map or tour book or &quot;not looking lost&quot;. there are kids living on the streets of beijing, delhi, rome, etc that will bite off your new york attitude and spit it right back at you.

assuming that you can handle anything just because you are a &quot;native new yorker&quot; is a deadly schoolboy error and not very street smart IMO.

The answer is yes. I carry only some small cash in the my bag, sometimes I do not even carry one.I often carry a credit card in a safe pocket and also some accesible cash as for a tip or taxi in any pocket.
So ffar so good.

Both my wife and I wear a &quot;Waist Wallet&quot;. In it we carry our passports and excess cash. I carry in my front pocket the cash we will need for 1 or 2 days plus a credit card. My wife will carry just a little cash in her pocket. We have found that if we wear the wallet in the small of our backs we never notice its there and it does not make my wife look fat.