Celiaanne

I love this discussion -- every time it comes up -- so many ways of looking at the same situation.

I've done both (no luck at all with the neck thing, but I do now use the waist one). As with any choice, you need to weigh the pros and cons, as you see them. After a close encounter in Rome, I would never travel in a major city (as a foreign tourist) without one again.

Besides, I agree completely with what walkinaround says! Maybe you just have to have it happen to YOU (or at last attempted) to believe it actually can.

francophile03

I appreciate what walkingaround says because as I said it took one pickpocketing attempt to convince me to wear a moneybelt. I'd rather put up with the minor inconvenience of wearing a moneybelt than the inconvenience of having to spend hours trying to replace lost belongings.

CarolA

Just a warning.

I have been robbed from the hotel safe. I don't put my passport in most of them just for this reason.

I do use a money belt. Having been mugged in the US it was a HUGE hassle getting everything fixed. I don't want to deal with that in a country where I don't speak the language.

mnannie

I've been convinced! Thanks everyone for your insight. One follow up question, then:
What brand of money belt do you all prefer? Is there a version that is smaller than the others and less bulky?

Travelnut

www.magellans.com has several kinds..
or just go to Walmart, Target, etc. and look in the luggage area.

Ann1

Visit any police station in any European city and you will see a line of people who thought a money belt wasn't necessary. My husband wears the one that hooks on the belt and flips inside your pants. You can't feel it. I put my purse across my shoulders and put the opening toward my body and my arm on it, but I carry very little in it. Yes, we have had people attempt to pick pocket and attempt to steal my daughters back pack (they wouldn't have gotten anything but a jacket and water). I know many people who have been pickpocketed and had their purse straps cut.

So, no you don't need to wear a money belt if you want to join the other people on line at the police station reporting the theft.

francophile03

CarolA's experience with that hotel safe is the reason why I don't trust to leave my passport, extra cash, and additional credit cards in one. Also I may forget the items in the safe in my haste to check out. I don't trust the hotel safe that's in the lobby either for the same reason that there is a chance of theft. I read how others say that there is a very small chance there would be theft from a safe, but I don't wish to take that chance at all.

sobster

This may have been mentioned but there are too many posts to read. I recommed a wallet w/ a loop that goes around your belt and hangs inside your pants in your-excuse the expression-crotch. Let them steal from there! Of course, it's a lot of fun when I go to pay.

Scullysioux

I prefer to wear a money belt just for the peace of mind. It is one less thing to worry about. I may not wear it for the whole trip, but wear it when among crowds, on buses and trains and depending where I am. Like others have said, just keep your spending money for the day in your purse/wallet and put the rest of your money and credit cards etc in your moneybelt.

The disadvantage of a moneybelt is it can be a little lumpy looking especially under lightweight summer clothes. In cooler weather under layers it looks better.

Pausanias

Best thing really are the new rolling safes. I usually take the precaution of chaining it to one leg, in addition to keeping a firm grip on the handle. My wife follows behind with the sawed-off shotgun (only a problem in the Netherlands). If we know in advance we'll be buying something, I try to arrange for armed guards. Most shop owners will happily let you wheel the safe into the back room to open it, but if that is not possible, you should have a locksmith accompany you, so he can change the combination after you've dialed it in public.

I believe even these precautions are too lax for plane tickets and passports. It is best to bring passports to your ambassador's residence. Most are only too happy to keep your passport for the duration of your stay. If you smile when you ask, they'll probably keep your tickets for you, too. If not, politely ask for the airport manager. I've never heard of one refusing the request.

LucieV

Pausanias, I don't know who you are, I don't know if you're a man or a woman, old or young, Fascist or Commie, 'merakin or Dangerous Other...but I just want to let you know (in light of the fact that today is what it is): I'm voting for you.

jayne1973

I'm not wild about wearing a money belt but it sure brings me peace of mind.

I always wear one overseas and sometimes in the U.S. if I'm carrying much cash or have concerns about being pickpocketed.

I find wearing it in the back instead of the front is more comfortable, but it could cause pressure on the lower back if you are doing a lot of standing/walking, depending on what you have inside the belt. (I keep credit cards, passport and cash in mine and access it in a restroom stall.)

When the trip is nearing its end and I'm just about flat broke, I celebrate by ditching the belt!

CRV

I have worn a waist money belt and my wife has the type that goes around her neck. But, here's another idea for storing a small amount of cash and carrying a credit card or two -- what about a wallet carried in your front pocket secured by a chain that goes through a belt loop? One the one hand, since the chain is visible, everyone knows where your wallet is, but will anyone bother to try to cut the chain then get the wallet out of the front pocket? And,it's easier than carrying that safe everywhere.

CarolA

By the way, my hotel safe was robbed in Orlando, FL so some precautions should be considered everywhere.....

TunaTaco

Money Belt. LOL

Mango7

Beware of hotel safes obviously. Make sure when you punch in your number you use a tissue and when you lock it wipe off all the #s with the tissue or towel. I do this whenever I'm on vacation.

StCirq

No, I wouldn't be caught dead with one. But that's just me. A lot of people seem to find some security in them.

LucieV

mango, I assume that when you do that, you also burn the tissue afterwards.

J_Correa

Lucie - I put some cash in my pocket or purse along with a credit card. I put my ATM card, ID, additional cash, and back up credit card in the little sleeve. That way I can make purchases, but have limited my liability should someone want to rob me. If that happens, I am out a little cash and a credit card, which I can immediately cancel. No worries. The rest of my cash is safe along with my ID, ATM, and additional credit card. So after a phone call and a police report, I can continue on my vacation.

Mimar

CarolA, was it a room safe or the hotel safe? I've heard several reports of room safes being robbed. Not yet heard of people losing stuff from a hotel safe.