money belt not cuting it...

[trydieing]

ok does anyone know of a better way to keep your money, passport, etc. safe and near your body without the lame ass money belt (no offense to anyone who uses them ). I might end up just saying fuck it and get one, and deal with it, but I was just wondering if anyone knows of possibly another type of money belt type thing... like I have herd of one that goes across your chest under your shirt. Also, I have seen the ones that go around your ankle... but I plan on wearing shorts more often then not so... that wont work. I mean I have never had to travel with one, I just can't see it as being very practical, or comfortable... I really dont wanna go diging in my pants for money... well any feed back is helpful... thanx

[Kassandra13]

I've spoken to some people who took the clothes they wear most often while traveling and sewed pockets on the inside of them. Maybe try that?

[zylah]

Only put stuff in your money belt that you dont expect to need that day. Thus if you know your flying take your passport/ ticket out and put it in a bag before u have to show it ( you can always go to a bathroom when u get to the airport) .
The point of money belts is ppl aren't spossed to know you are wearing one.
If your female, depending on how well endowed u r theres always the bra, (i've seen one that actually has a little pocket in it under the arm)
theres also the thigh/ leg money belt, but not so good if u plan on wearing short shorts. Try to avoid the ones that go around your neck as its easier for someone to cut the cord and grab it.
personally i prefer the inside pocket idea, I just wish i could sew

[Canadian Dude]

trydieing Travelpunk.com!!

A trick that is my claim to fame, is taking a pair of cargo pants, turning the pants inside out, sewing a pocket on the inside of the pant leg agesent to the large outside pocket. At this point you can sew a zipper/velcro/or button to close the pocket. USe this secrect pocket to hold you large amount of $$, passport, and plane tickets.

This same thing can work with a shirt but on a smaller scale, sew a pocket on the inside of the shirt under the arm, depending on how thick the shirt fabric is and the bulkness of the shirt will depend on how large a p[ocket you can sew onto the shirt.

The botom line is that these pockets are not accessable from the outside, so even if someone sticks the hand in your pocket, the can't get at anything.

Hope that helps, and if anyone asks what ya call htese pockets...they are CDPockets...

[pinion]

CD, thats an awsome idea!! You should patent that idea!

I know Columbia is starting to add some hidden pockets in their clothing. Both a pair of pants and shirt I have from them have hidden pockets that are going to be so handy for hiding my mon-ay.

[llemus7]

welcome to the boards trydieing!

as for the money belt situation, I don't use one at all, I carry my money when I travel just like I carry it when Im here at home. Just a money clip and ID. I feel that if you carry a money belt, you just make yourself stand out a lot more, so I just try to blend in.

As for the passport and all, I carry it with me or leave it in my room when I get a private hostel or room. I have done this for a while and it has worked. No one has taken or stoled my wallet.

other than one time I lost it because I was wasted, but good thing I just took, my money and ID only, no passport.

[Fedfe]

heya folks, I had another question...and I don't mean to hijack this thread, but its kind of the same idea...minor question.

Well, I carry my wallet in my back left pocket of my pants, is that gonna be safe, or should I be carrying it in one of my front pockets! I have seen many TLC shows on pickpocketing and I don't want to be a victim...!!!!

[Somnambulation]

Theres always the wallet chain, although that kinda went out of style a while ago. I plan on carrying my wallet in my front pocket while in Europe, even if it is a little less comfortable.

[tecia]

CD told me that idea and thatis what i'm going to do!!!!
Somn. as far as wallet chain i heard that all they do is cut your belt loop. It may be a little harder but if they want it they can get it!!!
Hope this helps!!!

[zylah]

and lanyards/ walet chain are all the rage here in OZ. at least thats what i've heard.
I always thought it a little strange that were spossed to carry our passports everywhere, to me it seems more risky than leaving it locked up in our room, unless the cleaning ladies are after it.
I figure theres more chance of being mugged than having your room/ locker broken into (or is that just me being naive?)

[urOZm8]

just a couple of points ive learnt so far. I have a reasonable chunky money belt - contiki tickets/eurail tickets/2xpassports/cash/travellers cheques/trav insurance details and a few cards.
of course ive had all this stuff on me at all times and after a while you just dont even know its there. it becomes part of you. when i take it off for some reason - like just being in my dorm i feel naked without it.
most of the time ive had in my front pocket in england as ive felt pretty safe. but in thailand i didnt so i had it strapped under my pants which i got used to real quick

[urOZm8]

and i just used a money clip for daily cash/atm card/phonecard and swipe card for dorm - the more frequent used stuff

[llemus7]

Fedfe,

I would recommend you switch your wallet to your front pocket, for the reason that when your walking around sightseeing or what ever it is, you will be bumped and at that point your wallet can be taken. its just a precaution that is all.

[Fedfe]

good points all.
consider my wallet in the front pocket from now on... but don't tell the pickpockets!

[stratocaster]

I wonder if pickpockets browse these boards scouting out the enemy?

[llemus7]

well come to the boards stratocaster!

good point! but who knows.

[Rozza]

NO NO NO THEY DONT SOTP LOOKING AT ME!!!!!


hehe only messin


naaa the mods would zap 'em

[LiveFreeorDie]

Definately keep all wallets in your front pockets!! I would recommend getting a real bare bones money folder or front pocket wallet that will hold maybe a couple of cards (ATM, Credit, ID) and some cash. Leave the big, chunky tri-fold wallets at home, and use the slim wallet and money belt combo.

Something like this Front Getaway Wallet

[blinkchick2134]

I still prefer carrying a purse. I put it over my head so it rest across my body and get one that has a lot of pockets. My current one has three compartments: one large one, one zipper inside the main cover and a small magnetic one in the back next to my body. I keep my money, credit cards, etc. in the magnetic one. No one ever even reliezes it's there. In fact, I just snuck a camera into a concert using that pocket. Handy sucker.

The USA sells some pants that have "stash pockets" but it's mostly those goth looking clothes that I've seen them on. I know some cargos have them but I haven't seen them recently...guess the public thought they promoted drug use. I keep my cash in one of these stash pants when I wore them.

[Robb_2004]

Basically in all my travels I don't carry that much cash so that I have to worry. I use the ATM machines they are all over the place now in Europe, and the former Soviet Union where I travel a lot. You also get a better exchange rate than using travellers checks or having to change dollars/pounds/euro's whatever.

If you carry a lot of cash have some in a seperate wallet so if you are mugged you can give them the phoney wallet and not all your stash.

Money belts/bumbags are a pain and once I left mine in a toilet after having to take it off in a hurry!!! Of course it had gone when I got back, lucky I only had about £20's in it and nothing much else.

I think robbers are probably wise to the moneybelt trick now, I mean everybody wears them so the inside secret pocket seems sensible along with the phoney stash.

If you do lose your atm card don't forget to carry the number you can phone to cancel it. And I always carry two cards.

good luck