Moneybelt Question
 

I understand the concept of wearing a moneybelt and keeping some money readily accessible in a pocket or somwehere else. However, I often also read that people should put their credit cards in their moneybelts. Question -- don't people use their credit cards multiple times during a day? Where do you keep credit cards so that they are safe but accessible? Also, has anyone ever worn a neck "moneybelt" wallet and if so, how is that?

Hi E,

My wife and I use the wallets. We keep everything valuable in them except for some cash and one CC.

I keep the CC in my front trouser or shirt pocket and I close that pocket with a safety pin.

That way, even if a thief can get a finger in my pocket, the opening is too small for the card to get out.

I think one big thing to consider when using a moneybelt (and I routinely do) is the type of clothing you are going to wear it UNDER. If it is failry easy to pull it out from underneath the waistband that makes a big difference.

No, I don't know that people are necessarily constantly pulling out credit cards...but remember that moneybelts are more useful in some places than in others. For example, if you are touring the ruins or strolling around some small town there se3ems less chance of a theft vs. on a crowded Metro, in a busy train station, at the airport, etc.

I've used the neck version also but find it to be rather bulky feeling so have stuck with the "classic" style.

I kept one credit card in my wallet in my pocket (with a enough money for the day) and another cc in my neck pouch (didn't like the feel of a money belt)-the idea being that if my credit card in my pocket was stolen, I would have another one to use and of course the stolen one would be reported.

Joelle

I did try the around the neck pouch. Instead of letting it dangle down my "front", I wore it under my arm (like you would a shoulder bag). I felt my things were safe enough...in my purse I had my "i'm willing to lose this" but I'm careful with my purse here at home or anywhere, so I just use it now. No problems for me.

I too have had these same concerns.

The major fears are losing one's passport, ATM/credit cards, cash, plane ticket, and jewelry.

When I travel, I make sure not to bring any valuable jewelry, and if you do, you should try to stay at a hotel that provides a safe in the room. Also, I've noticed that even on international flights these days, paper tickets are being used less frequently than e-tickets.

That narrows down the list of protectables to passport, atm/credit card, and money. These items should really be on your person and accessable at all times. So, while it is true that one should carry these items in the front pockets of one's pants, people are still fearful of clever pickpockets and waves of gypsy children reaching in everywhere, a valid concern. So, I purchased special travel pants which are not only lightweight (I do most of my travelling in the summer), but they also have a security zippered pocket inside the front pocket of your pants. This is where I keep my passport, credit/atm card, and large bills...and it's very easy to access. The pants are all-purpose (good for restaurants, museums, and even hiking) and do not fall apart too easily.

These convenient pants allowed me to lose the money belt entirely!

We are going to be spending 7 nights in Paris as part of our trip, so we will be using the Metro and the train stations quite a bit.

I use the moneybelt that goes around the waist. Have done so for 6 trips to Europe and no trouble yet. Yes, I carry my money and credit cards in the money belt. I always try to access the money etc.in private. By the way, someone on this site mentioned wearing the belt with the "pouch" on your back and not your front as I usually do. I tried this in Italy last May and it was more comfortable this way. Good luck.

Well, I only use credit cards for hotel bills or emergencies so no I don't need to pull it out several times a day.

Personally I use a normal pocketbook and wallet just like I do at home when traveling. And divide up my cash and cards and leave some at the hotel locked in my suitcase.

I live in a major US city and don't see traveling someplace like Paris that it is necessary to do anything different. I think moneybelts really are important for trips for instance where someone is traveling Europe for 6 months and staying in youth hostels. For 1 week only and staying a a nice hotel, I'd find using a moneybelt a bit much, just my opinion.

In cooler weather, I wear zip up boots- I constructed a pocket inside them for my credit card and cash.

I keep one credit card and some cash in my daypack/purse. The remaining cash, ATM/debit card, transport docs (ie. train tickets), etc go into a money belt, worn around in the small of my back. Usually my passport is there, too, unless we're on a train or plane, in which case it goes into daypack interior zip pocket.

The objective is to minimize any losses. Had a coin purse stolen out of daypack while holding onto pole of tram with both hands while in Amsterdam. Loss = 30Euro or so. Husband used to keep passport deep in front pants pocket, until he thinks he lost it b/c he pulled gloves out of same pocket. Now he uses a leg safe, comfortably affixed to calf with velcro straps.

No, we don't take these measures at home, but we are operating in familiar routines and locations there, and have other resources if a loss is incurred.

Plan to use your hotel and/or room safe to hold your cash/ATM and passport and charge cards ... and with you each day, take the card you need and enough cash. Simply do what you do at home to safeguard money and cards, and stop assuming you'll be a bigger target. Why all this emphasis on money belts?

I too am tempted to just take typical precautions (I work in NYC so I am used to being in crowded places). However, pickpocketing is, from everything I read, far more prevalent in Europe than it is here in the States. If you read Rick Steves, he says the single biggest mistake that American travellers make is not wearing a moneybelt in Europe. He points out that Americans tend to think that things in Europe are just like at home when they are not. I have not been in Paris in many years, but I can recall getting off the TGV in Paris in 1985 and almost immeditaely being bothered by a child beggar with a card for me to read. He would not take a hint and I eventually had to slap his hand -- I had read about pickpocketing schemes and recognized what was happening. I will be there in August for 7 nights with my family and since there are five of us, just carrying a little accessible cash is not an option -- we need to be able to get to real cash and credit cards. Aside from moneybelts, I have seen some people in this thread refer to special clothing and other methods. I would like to know more.

I also work (live) in NYC. When I first arrived here years ago, I learned these two methods for carrying cash, from my waitress days when we all had to getg home at night with our tips intact.
I have sewn pockets into both my boots and bra for cash. I do this myself. I have also tried those strap-on leg things and wear a money belt when traveling between cities.
I was a target of gypsies years ago, but once was enough. I ALWAYS leave my passport at a hotel safe (also, there is a black market for Amwerican Passports in some countries) but always carry a copy of it.
In this instance, I agree with RS, many American tourists underestimate the skills of pickpockets overseas. But IMO being AWARE of what's around you is the best way to prevent mishaps. ie., when you're reading maps while standing in a crowded bus, or walking along the street, you make yourself an easy target.
Pickpockets in major cities are likely well aware of neckpouches, travel pants, money belts, etc., so I like to keep my cash and cc's in my shoe or bra. A pickpocket won't go for the shoe, and it goes without saying that if anyone tried for the other place, I would notice in plenty of time!

I'm with Suze and just do my travel purse (large enough for guide book, umbie etc.) - no bags or pack or holders or ???. Have never had a problem in more than 50+ trips to europe - but then I'm from New York and naturally take precautions that I have come to learn are not always obvious to small town folks.

Also, I think if you do youth hotsels, sleep on trians and hang out in a lot of train stations you may have more problems (we almost always road trip - although we do use public transport in major cities - and have never had problems - although have seen a couple of incidents with tourists who were somewhat unconscious of their surroundings.)

I tried the neck pouch but found it too bulky and no matter how I positioned it, you could tell it was under there, (more of an issue for women than for men given body shapes), plus the neck cord showed above my collar and the one I had had this stupid obvious big wood button/knob type thing on the cord. I dumped it pretty quick and got a money belt, wearing that under my slacks with a shirt or sweater that hangs loose (that is, doesn't tuck in)- makes me just look a bit chubbier, rather than like I'm concealing my valuables. I use a large safety pin to pin the moneybelt inside my slacks for extra security. But I don't put my passport or credit card in the moneybelt because if you need to use them (and the passport will be your ID while traveling), removing them from the money belt in public will of course defeat the whole point of using the belt in the first place. To keep my CC and passport as secure as possible, I carry a small purse when traveling, one that has a zipper rather than a clasp, and with a long enough strap that I can sling it diagonally across my chest & tuck it under my arm. If you MUST access the money belt while out & about, find a toilet or other private place to do it.

On my first trip to Europe in 1990 a friend loaned me a moneybelt that was square shaped and went over your shoulder and under your arm like a shoulder holster. I really liked it. I set out to find my own. I searched high and low, store, internet and couldn't find it. I really did not like the neck or waist one. Finally one day in Harrods of all places I found one. It is fabulous. I put a small safety pin thru my bra strap as a just in case. It has a good shape, easy to fit passport into, it has two pockets, a smaller one that I keep my cash and credit cards in so if pulling out passport for some reason I don't risk knocking out my money or cards. Many family and friends wanted one. They are no more at Harrods, not at luggage store or the internet. Never have found another one, looking for about 6 or 7 years now. If anyone has seen these shoulder holster types anywhere, let me know.

ggnga:

I found what you were describing on the internet. It's called the Holsta. Click the link...

http://www.menda.com.au/shopdisplayp...olster%2BStyle

Here's what I learned from a tour guide in Rome: wear a neck pouch on a long cord that reaches diagonally across your body (like some women carry shoulder purses). Wear it under at least one layer of clothes, and keep in it your money, cards and passports. Carry in your purse only things you can afford to lose. I usually wear my pouch tucked into the waistband of my pants, and then wear an untucked T shirt or sweater over it. That way, I can pull the pouch out of the waistband to access money or cards and easily tuck it back in when finished. I am careful to do this only when inside a shop or restaurant, never on the street. My husband and I travel out of the US several times a year, and have never had anything stolen, despite some obvious attempts.

To: tskobo

Thank you so much. I just ordered 3.
The picture looks identical to what I have. I should have know Fodor's friends would have the answer!

My wife & I use money belts, and travelinvests, but different types for different seasons. We always ensure that each day, we have sufficient money in a buttoned up shirt pocket for our daily need, then the remainder (credit cards,passports, airline tickets,etc) are carried in a money belt or neck pouch. But ALWAYS, ALWAYS, wear the waist money pouch "under" your clothing (remember out of sight, is out of mind). A money belt worn under your trousers, is a bit hard for thief to get to. If you need to get credit cards out of your money belt or pouch, always do it somewhere in private, where others can't see you doing it. Also we carry a very small camera, which fits into my shirt pocket. My wife doesn't wear fancy jewellery, so therefore, we don't stand out like a "shiny" targets. We try to blend in with the locals, you could say. If you buy a "neck pouch" make sure you test it, to see if its soft against your skin. Another device which is sold in Australia, is the TravelinVest, a front zippered vest, with zippered pockets inside, each compartment designed for things like, credits cards, passports, airline tickets, etc.
The metro is a wonderful way of getting quickly around Paris, but there are pickpocketers travelling on the metro, they targetted friends of mine, but alas, they had no money belt.
Personal safety really comes back to, being "aware" of people around you, being confident of what you do, wearing a money belt "underneath" your clothing or a travelinvest, etc.

i recommend a neck pouch, as it is much easier to get to. i did not have one as i was waiting for the train at trocadero station after visiting the eifel tower. seven little girls picked my pocket, and i lost my wallet with $200, cc, and drivers lc. still enjoyed paris. didn't have to worry about pickpockets after that. can't wait to go back, smarter and wiser.

My favorite concealed moneybelt is made of cotton cloth (like the belts that wrap around your waist) but instead of a "belt" it has a covered metal clip that goes over your belt or waistband. The cotton wallet part fits against your body under your pants or skirt, only the hook over your belt shows. If you are wearing a jacket or sweater , nothing shoes. But this is easily accessible if you do need to retrieve more money or a credit card. And it is much more comfortable in warm weather than a belt that wraps around your whole torso or hangs from your neck.

These are harder to find than the other varieties-- specialty travel accessory shops tend to be the only places that carry them. If you are in the US, Try the shop "travel in style" in Stanford Shopping Center/ Palo Alto, CA or San Francisco. I believe they have an 800 number and a website...

From your screen name I assume you will be traveling with kids (sharp, aren't I?) so you will need a money belt of some kind since you will be distracted at times by your children.

I use the waist kind with the pouch in the small of my back when I am in a big city or tourist area and have to carry valuables with me.

My ex used to use the kind that attached to his beltloop and went under his pants, you could use this plan, it is easier to access (if you wear belt looped pants).

I went ahead and made a little pouch about the size of a credit card because we found everything else to be too bulky. I used muslin (very inexpensive cotton fabric) and a thin piece of elastic. The elastic lays flat on the neck but is stretchy so you can pull the pouch out from under your shirt and not have to take it off from around your neck. My husband wears it on each trip with usually one debit and one back-up credit card in it. I keep another credit card and some cash in the zippered part of my purse, so I am the one accessing the money most of the time. On our first trip, my husband wore a money belt, and it proved inconvenient and too bulky -- but it was our first trip and we were a bit nervous, so it was better to be safe than sorry. Since we usually stay in apartments, we leave our passports there and do not carry them with us daily.

Yup, three kids so I will no doubt be distracted! I am going to look into the belt loop pouch.

I have done some looking on the web and I keep coming across the Eagle Creek Undercover Hidden Pocket. It is inexpensive ($8), loops through your belt and tucks into your pants. It sounds pretty secure and much easier to get to when you want things (sounds like it could be used as a real wallet). Has anyone used it? If so, is it comfortable and does it get wet when you sweat?

My hubby found a great belt at Sport Check. It is a nylon belt, like a normal black belt, but on the inside is a zipper that goes about 1/2 round the inside of the belt. The belt is only about 1 inch wide (like a normal man's belt) and so we rolled up the $$ we werent using that day and stored it there. He just wore it like a normal belt. Each day we took out what we needed. It was great. We also kept copies of our passports, bank card numbers etc in there on paper. Worked like a charm!

I don't use my credit card <i>that</i> many times during a day. When not in use it, along with my ATM card and large bills, remains safely ensconced in my around-the-waist money pouch.

I tried an around-the-neck money pouch once but found it annoying.

We just returned from Normandy for the D-Day celebration. My veteran-father was pickpocketed in the Metro during the day...we were tired and let our 'guard down'. The pickpocket jumped on the metro and jumped off all in the few seconds the train door was open....with dads wallet. You cannot be too careful! By the way..They charged $14,000 worth of furniture in the first 5 minutes! the Babylon station is especially known for pickpockets according to the police, who were extremely helpful by the way.

Europewithkids,

That is exactly the product I use. It works great, very comfortable, as long as you have it in the proper position. As far as getting wet when you sweat, that is possible, although it does have something called Coolmax backing that absorbs moisture.

WLCJR: What is the proper position? Also, do you use it like a wallet, putting things in and taking things out freely, or do you need to use it like a moneybelt (difficult to access). I would like something that offers good security but that also lets me freely access my cash/credit card/ATM card.

I've been thinking about this issue extensively.

First of all, a waist-worn moneybelt won't work well with a dress. So I guess I will need both a neck and a waist type if I wear any dresses on this trip. I prefer the waist type otherwise.

Second, so long as I am within 6 km of the hotel, I don't think a moneybelt is terribly necessary. Passports will be stored in an in-room safe. I will keep money on me in a couple places, and one credit card. If I am somehow deprived of this, I can always walk back to the hotel (presuming I was somehow left with so little as to not be able to take the metro) and cancel the card. The money loss will be minimal.

However, if I embark on a daytrip away from my central location, I will use either a waist money belt or a neck money belt, depending on what I wear, and take two credit cards stored separately.

In the past, I just kept all documents on my person as discreetly as possible, but I did have my passport fall out a couple times (although I retrieved it). I fear I am at more risk of careless loss than theft.

WillTravel: I can understand your thinking, but only you know how you will feel if your pocket is picked. I could have just 20 Euros picked from my pocket and I can tell you that it would gnaw at me. I also do not want to be in the Metro/train station/crowded area being overly concerned about my wallet (although awareness of your surroundings is always healthy). Finally, I do not want to take precious vacation time to report a stolen credit card and/or ATM card, file a police report, etc. Being a man, I do not have the dress/skirt issue so the hidden pocket sounds interesting to me.

Hi WillTravel,

Last time I stored my passport in the moneybelt worn around the waist and other than being bulky it was good since it has a zipper. The clasp is made from plastic though and I was a bit wary of it hoping it wouldn't break. Otherwise, it worked out well. I don't quite understand how your passport fell out from your person. Do you mean it fell out from a moneybelt or did you store it somewhere else and it fell out?

francophile, I should have been more specific. I had the passport in a pouch (not a moneybelt) or in a purse and several times have had it fall out on the ground when I was trying to dig something else out. That was just me being careless, rather than a fault of the products.

Someone recommended using a safety pin in addition to the plastic clasp on a moneybelt. That might help your anxiety about it breaking (and the moneybelt I have now does seem to have a rather fragile clasp also).

Hi WillTravel, I have read about using safety pins-thanks. I will try it and hopefully it doesn't open up and poke me:) It's happend with safety pins and me before. I may look into getting another moneybelt if I find one with a metal clasp if there is any.

Both my husband and I have used $belts for years and find them quite convenient. I am one of those who posted a year or two ago, about wearing the main part of the $belt to the &quot;rear&quot;. Less bulky and, I think, that you are less aware of wearing it. You can always find a corner in which to get something out of it, if you are caught short. Tried the neck bag and did not like it hanging inside my top--although under the arm might be better.

If the clip on the belt is a concern, you might do as I've done, take off the tape which fastens the belt around you and replace it with a piece of elastic in a comfortable type and dimension. This way, you never have to worry that it might fall off.

My husband was accosted in the doorway of a Paris metro--similar to the story above--luckily, the two guys got nothing, but a real jab in the gut and my umbrella hitting the other.

For every person who says that they've traveled for years, are always aware, and carry their money in their pockets or in a shoulder bag or backpack with no problem, there are many others who are not as fortunate. We have always been careful with $$ and alert about situations, etc. --but we know it can happen.

$belts, travelers' pants, jackets, vests, secure bags worn across the body, etc. all give extra security and should help anyone to have a problem-free trip. Cheers! mhm

I found a waist money belt to be much more comfortable than I expected. One cc and a day's cash in my pocket, rest of important stuff (passport, ATM card, etc) in the money belt. I disagree with those who say to wear it in the back...I know that I would notice anyone trying to get to my moneybelt in front of me, but behind me? Particularly in the metro or other crowded, bumpy place? Just my thoughts!

Anne

Anne, no one can get into my moneybelt pouch (in small of my back) without getting under my shirt and inside my pants. I fasten it somewhat loosely so it is always covered below the waistline.
Now, if you wear hipster jeans and a crop top, that's a different story.