We all know that feeling…you’re carrying a lot of money. The paranoia hits you…do people know…am I going to be robbed? What is the best method of on body money storage?
Let me reassure you, the feeling is normal. Unless you do this all the time, you will feel ill at ease.
In this post, I will look at on body storage and ways in which you can travel safely carrying money.
I will look at some things you need to consider and then look at specific ways in which you can carry money while traveling.
At the end of this post, you will know more about what you need to think about and what you need to do.
On body money storage – wearable ways to keep your money safe
We all want to make sure we don’t become victims of crime. Sometimes the best solution to keeping your valuables safe is to carry them.
For whatever reason, your hotel may not be safe, you may have had a bad experience or you just want the reassurance of knowing your valuables are with you, you can do things that will improve your chances.
Here are a number of items that can help you with on body money storage.
- Money belts
- Anti-theft wallets
- Leg wallets
- Arm wallets
- Neck pouches
- Upper body and shoulder pouches
- Belt wallets
Money belts
The most famous and traditional method of carrying money. You will have seen them, they are effectively a pouch that is large enough to hold your money and documents. They fit around your waist and are fixed into place with a fastener. They normally sit underneath your clothing.
They are discrete if they are worn under loose fitting clothes and versatile enough to meet most peoples needs.
You have to be careful though that you don’t overfill them otherwise they become uncomfortably heavy and they are no longer discrete. In hot weather, they can become uncomfortable to wear too, so it is worth taking account of this.
Hidden money belts are a favorite of travelers but they are not foolproof. Many muggers and criminals are aware that travelers are likely to be wearing them. In the event you are a victim, they may tell you to lift your top. In some cases, it may be tactical to wear them as a decoy.
View the range of Money Belts at Amazon
Anti-theft wallets
We know that normal wallets are the bread and butter of pick pockets. It is what they take most because it is the easiest thing for them to take…and in most cases the most valuable.
Regardless of how well you try and protect it, your wallet is vulnerable.
The anti-theft wallet is purposely designed to allow you the benefits of a wallet with the added benefit of reducing the chances of a pick pocket.
They are wallets with an integrated slash proof chain that attaches to a fixed item like a back pack or a loop on your clothing. The chain limits the distance it can travel, so it is still usable and convenient. However, a pickpocket cannot remove it from you so in that respect it works.
Regardless of other items you may also use, this one should be in your armory. A word of warning though, if a robber is aggressive, let them have it. It is not worth you putting your life in danger for a few notes.
View range of Anti-Theft Wallets at Amazon
Leg wallets
Experts…much like me…will tell you the safest and most discrete method of on body money storage is a leg wallet.
Essentially, they are a money pouch attached to your leg. There are a few different ones available on the market.
Some of them are attached to your upper thigh, some to your knee and some to your calf.
The reason why the experts recommend this is the level of discretion. Under a loose pair of shorts, it is almost impossible to tell. They are also difficult to access so makes pick pocketing almost impossible.
A key benefit is the lack of accessibility but it also becomes a little bit of an inconvenience if you want to access it.
It is therefore recommended as somewhere to store your valuables but not things that you may need to access repeatedly. The recommended solution is to have a separate wallet with enough money to keep you going without having to access the leg wallet.
Having to drop your trousers in a crowded marketplace is less than ideal…regardless of where you are.
View range of Leg Wallets at Amazon
Arm wallets
These are essentially the same as leg wallets…except they are designed for the arms. They are designed to wrap tightly around the top of your arm, secured by Velcro.
They work pretty well for what they are designed to do but they are limited capacity wise. If you put too much in them, they can become quite uncomfortable.
However, they are secure and you can feel if somebody else is touching it. For on body money storage, they work quite well. They can be discrete yet still leave you with access to your money.
View range of Arm Wallets at Amazon
Neck pouches
These seem to be on trend at the moment and are ‘cool’. They hang around your neck and sit beneath your clothing.
They come in a few sizes. Some are designed to simply carry money. Others are slightly larger and designed to hold documents as well as your money.
It is important to know that they are not hidden if you are wearing a shirt without a collar. You can see the strap around your neck. There is also a risk that it can be grabbed and pulled away from you.
They are great for holding small amounts of money that you need easy access too. If you prefer more discretion for larger amounts of valuables and money, there are better alternatives like the leg wallet.
View range of Neck Pouches at Amazon
Upper body and shoulder pouches
Some of these pouches are some of the securest around. They are perfect for carrying money and valuables.
There are several versions on the market. The most secure of these are the ones that sit under your clothing and on your skin.
Obviously, they lack accessibility but they more than make up for it in discretion and security.
Other versions are also available. Some of the upper body ones are tied around your chest and hang down the side of your waist. Again, under loose clothing this can be very discrete and secure.
These are definitely a viable option if you want discretion and security.
Belt wallets
These are very secure and very discrete. However, because of the lack of space, they can only carry little money. Essentially, they are belts that hold your trousers up. Essentially, the same thing.
The difference is that the reverse of the belt has a small zip that can be undone and money inserted in it. Short of losing your trousers, it is almost impossible to have your money stolen.
For general travel and storage of small amounts of money, these are perfect for travelers. A simple solution that should form part of your tactics.
Things to consider when traveling with money
You now know the best ways to carry money using the items above. They can secure your money discretely and reduce risk of having your money and documents stolen.
There are further steps that you can take to reduce your risks further. These are common sense steps that you can take. It is a way of thinking and assuming that risks exist…rather than hoping nothing happens.
Splitting your valuables can cut your risks
Most people have a single place for on body money storage. This is a mistake. The assumption is that it is in one place and it is secure. This is a mistake…have I told you it’s a mistake?
Divide and conquer is the best strategy. If you are the victim of a crime, you are not losing all your money in one hit. Splitting the money around your body may mean the difference between carrying on your holiday or cutting it short.
This is the biggest step you can take. Take this advice on board and implement it.
Your dummy wallet may save your main stash
Let’s be honest, tourists are targets. Criminals know that they are normally carrying money and in certain countries, that is all they need to know.
One of the best tactics you can employ is to use a dummy wallet. This is a great distraction tactic in the event of a hold up. Normally, criminals want to get out of there quickly, handing them a dummy wallet will lower your losses as it contains little money and some expired credit cards.
They may look at it briefly but unlikely in great detail. They will assume they have what they want…your wallet.
Clearly, your main stash is hidden away and the contents safe.
This should be a tactic employed wherever you travel. It simply works.
Keep your change at hand
A common mistake that people make. They go to great lengths to store their money any and valuables in a secure and discrete place.
However, they then fail to keep some money and change at hand. This is your daily ‘coffee’ money. Failing to do this means that they need to access their main stash when paying for things.
This can be inconvenient at best and may involve having to remove clothes. The biggest problem is that you are disclosing to anybody watching where you keep your valuables.
Keeping criminals guessing is a key part of staying safe. Effectively telling them makes their job so much easier. The simple answer is not to do it. Keep them guessing. It’s safer this way.
Closed pockets can make a big difference
Pick pockets work on a volume basis. Since they don’t know how much they are getting before they commit the crime, they will target as many people as they can.
One of the things that makes things incredibly easy for them is open pockets. When I say open pockets, I am talking of pockets without zippers or Velcro closures. Without those, it is like taking candy from a baby.
The solution is simple…make sure your pockets can close securely.
Avoid the ‘admin’ nightmare
Losing your money is one thing, losing your documents like passports and legal documents can lead to one big headache. Not only that, it can take a long time to resolve that involves plenty of phone calls and waiting in line.
The simple solution that not many people consider is taking copies of your important documents. Keep a copy separately…in your luggage for example. Should the worst happen, you have all the details like the numbers to help get replacements.
It also helps that you may be able to use the photocopies as the originals if you have a crime number. The authorities may accept these if they recognize that you have been a victim of crime.
Verdict
On body money storage is a safe method of traveling with money…if you do it properly. Have the right equipment, it may be the difference between whether you are the victim of crime or not. This is not an area where you want to skimp…it is a false economy.
Think ahead about what you plan to do and what tactics you wish to employ. This is not something you want to do last minute. Have a plan in place…you will thank me for it.
View range of Travel Safe products at Amazon
I hope that you enjoy your travels safely. Many people have traveled all over the world using these tactics. Share your experience with us.
Do you have any tips you want to share…leave a comment below.
FAQ
How do you travel with money?
With confidence and a plan. Aside from the legal implications which you need to be aware of, the biggest challenge is not to lose it on the way. To do that you need a plan. Where you are going to keep it, your method of storage and what precautions you are taking.
Have a clear and detailed plan, it is the only way. Remember to split your money to reduce the risk. Create diversions with money you are prepared to lose but importantly, it is only money. Should the worst happen, give it up. It is not worth being harmed over.
How can I protect my money while traveling?
Protecting your money is all about risk management. Read the post above and learn from it. Ask yourself what risk you are prepared to take and what tactics you will employ.
Protecting your money is about knowing your environment and assessing the risks. A key risk area is when you need to access your money. Can you do this in private? How many times do I need to access my money?
It is always better to have some money at hand so you do not have to go to your main stash often.
The best way is to limit the money you carry. When I travel, I carry very little now because most places around the world will take Visa or Mastercard. You will be surprised how many places accept these.
The benefits of credit cards make this a key strategy. They insure you purchases and in the event of your card being cloned, it is easy to remedy as no actual money has left your account. This makes this a safer way of travelling without having to carry lots of money. It certainly makes me feel more relaxed.
Are hotel safes safe?
You would like to think so and, in most cases, they are. However, there is always a chance that you could become a victim. Plenty of employees have access to hotel rooms so there is always the possibility that there may be an issue.
Add in the fact that hotel safes are less than safe, it is a recipe for disaster. Have a read of the following article on how to hide your valuables. This reduces your risk massively and in the event of your hotel room being broken into, it is likely that you won’t lose much, if anything at all.
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