Protecting Cash, Cards and Passports While Traveling
Taking a great trip should be a happy experience. You’ve decided what currency and cards you’re going to carry, now what? Always on my mind is protecting credit cards, cash, and our passports when traveling. You need to understand the best ways for protecting your cards and cash while traveling. There are multiple methods that you can use to do this. There are products that allow you to strap money and passports around your waist or your neck. You can also use a traditional wallet or smaller travel wallet. Another method is simply stashing money in your pockets.
There are pros and cons to each. I prefer to use a combination of these but have used all of these methods at one time or another when traveling abroad.
Neck Wallets
For many years I used a pouch that has a strap draped around my neck. This was very effective as my money or other possessions were located inside my shirt away from people’s eyes and away from their reach unless they got a little ‘handsy’ and put their hands inside my shirt.
These can feel a little heavy around the neck when carrying a significant amount of cash and/or passports for several days in a row. It can also be a bit hot against the chest depending on the time of year and temperature at your travel destination. Another aspect is that it is not easily accessible. Also, depending on the shirt you wear, there is a good chance that people will still be able to see the outline of a pouch inside of your shirt.
Tip: I recommend either wearing a neck wallet or a waist wallet to keep some of your cash, cards and your passports on you. This is safe and reachable by you, yet hard for would-be pick pockets to get at. The below is the exact one I’ve used and felt like it was a good product.
Travel Wallets
I also carry a travel wallet. The one pictured below is one that I purchased from Amazon and started caring recently. I really like it. It has several slots for credit cards or other cards you want to carry and it has a good amount of room to carry cash inside of a spring loaded clip. It also has a window for your photo ID, and some hidden pouches behind the credit card slots to put other things that you won’t be using frequently but need to carry.
Tip: I normally separate the funds, along with cards that I think I’ll be using that day for lodging, restaurants, trips, or souvenirs. I put those into the travel wallet. Every night before I go to bed, I try to arrange cash in several places so that in the morning I don’t have to do it. When out traveling during the next day I’ll have my money easily accessible.
Waist Wallet
My preferred way to now keep my money and passports hidden and safe is in a pouch worn around my waist inside the top of my pants. I picked up the below product from AAA, but the same product is available on Amazon for 3 dollars less. I have to admit that during our recent trip I didn’t even feel like I was wearing it most of the time. It wraps around your waist and is held in place by a narrow band that slips into the pouch.
This was a great find for me, because it decreased the heat I would feel on my chest from the neck wallet I previously used while still providing a very safe place for passports cash cards etc. The only drawback to this product is it’s a little harder to get to if you’re out and about, unless you’re able to loosen up your pants and not look a little weird digging in your pants for something.
Tip: I also don’t think it has quite as much space as the neck wallet does. This just meant that I had to be a little more creative with where I stashed the remainder of my cards and cash while traveling. I’ve started carrying the neck wallet I have inside of the backpack as another source to retain my cash and cards when I’m out traveling.
Split Your Cash and Cards
I’m a big believer in making it harder for someone to access all of your resources when traveling. That’s why I will split cash between the waist wallet and small travel wallet. My spouse also holds part of our cash and cards. I frequently like like to carry a locked backpack or other bag to stach valuables. There are days when you spend more than expected (hopefully not too much and you’re sticking to your budget :-)). On those days you may have to dig into your other hiding spots for additional cash or a different card.
Tip: When traveling I like to use a small backpack with a small combination padlock on (like the one below). I put this around the zippers or the straps of the zippers. While this is not 100% reliable, it provides something to stash other things like water, a hat or sunblock. I can then still access additional money or credit cards that I need while I’m out and about.
Other Thoughts when Traveling Through Crowds
When walking through crowds or places where there are a lot of people, there is the potential for pickpockets. Don’t think that it is something that only happens in the movies. Or, is just something people say to scare you. I’ve even been to places where there were warning notices inside of the hotel that informs their patrons. If someone is in a public place and spills something on you, it is best to not take their assistance. Walk away and go somewhere and clean yourself up in a public place. There is a chance they will only help clean up your mess. There’s also a chance they may also relieve you of anything you might have in your pockets.
Tip: One thing I always try to do a crowded place is to simply keep my hands in my pockets. This doesn’t necessarily help me in navigating my way through the crowd. It also might look a little weird when it is really hot. However, I at least know if my hands are on my phone and your wallet, and if I feel another set of hands with mine, then I’ll know something is wrong :-).
I don’t know that you must have RFID protected products. However I always try to ensure it is in the products that I use. The cost is minimal, if any, compared with non-RFID products. There could be a potential identity or credit card thief using an RFID scanner in any crowd.
Tip: Keep pockets you may be wearing with zippers, zipped. This rule applies to jacket pockets, backpacks, or if wearing cargo pants with zippers on the pockets. While this is not foolproof, it will take potential thieves additional time to unzip the pouch or pocket.
I hope these tips help. If you have any other suggestions or questions please let me know. Thanks!!
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