money belt

[Jules80]

ok so i've read the posts i managed to find about money belts. so my basic question is this: would this be a list of things that should go into my money belt?
1) plane tickets (my main ticket is unfortunately paper :S the rest are electronic)
2) eurail pass
3) credit cards
4) debit cards
5) extra cash
6) passports (i have 2)

this seems like an awful lot of stuff to go into that pouch. and someone mentionned that daily cash and credit card should go in a front pocket... my pockets in the pants i intend to bring aren't particularly deep. this is safer than my pack? and a wallet for daily stuff is a big no no?

and locks on my daypack, yes or no?

i'm generally pretty aware of my pack and my bags when i've travelled in london and paris.

oh yeah and how necessary are travellers checks?

any thoughts on the above would be much appreciated

[Eagle]

jules80, a few comments on your list of contents for a Money Belt. I've read articles by some "travel experts" that advocate keeping everything in the Money Belt that you've listed. However, in reality that's going to make a very thick Belt which may be uncomfortable to wear and increase the visibility of this. Keep in mind also that it's a good idea to keep paper documents & Passports inside a zip-lok bag while in the Money Belt, as they'll get "soaked" otherwise. My thoughts on the items you've listed:

> Plane tickets - probably a good idea to leave in the Money Belt, unless you have a really secure location to leave them while you're day-touring (such as a Safe at the Hotel or whatever). You won't need to access these at all until it's time to use the tickets, so they can be kept in the Money Belt. You DON'T want them to be lost or stolen though, as your trip will suddenly becomve VERY expensive if you have to replace the tickets!
> Eurail Pass - normally I would say that it's a good idea to keep this in the Money Belt, however while you're travelling you're going to need this on a regular basis so might want to store it somewhere "safe" but more accessible. You don't want to be digging under your clothes to get your Pass when you need it for train travel.
> Credit Cards - how many CC are you travelling with? I always believe it's a sound policy to split up things like Credit Cards, so that if one is lost or stolen, you have something to fall back on. I keep at least one card in the Money Belt for "emergencies" and another in a separate location that's a bit easier to access for day-to-day use.
> Debit Cards - as above......
> Extra Cash - as above - keep some in the Money Belt and some in an easy access location for daily use. If you're standing in line to buy something, you don't want to be digging through your clothes to get the cash to pay for it. Don't keep TOO MUCH cash in the "easy access" locaton though, in case you do get targeted by Pickpockets or whatever.
> Passports - I only have one so the situation is different. You might want to keep the lesser used Passport in the Money Belt, and the other more readily available, as you might have to show this at times while travelling.

I use a lot of Tilley clothing when travelling, and that does have deep pockets and "secret pockets". I don't know what to suggest in terms of secure storage in your case?

On your other questions:

You don't necessarily have to use a Padlock on your Day pack while touring around, but IMHO the zippers should be secured with something , even as simple as a twist tie. Of course, Padlocks will work also.

I'm not sure I would categorize Traveller's Cheques as necessary. Some people stlll use them but they are becoming more difficult to cash in some places in Europe. Your best bet is probably an ATM Card, with perhaps some TC for "emergencies". BTW it's a good idea to have at least two Debit / ATM cards, in case one gets lost / stolen / eaten by the machine. There's lots of good tips in the "Currency" section if you want further information from other members on the Board.

Hope this helps. Good luck!!!

[dougj]

I had no problem cashing traveller's cheques. I don't know where people get this idea from.

[Marc]

I've read in numerous places not to be digging through your clothing to get to your money belt. With that being said... where do you recommend keeping cash for the day?

[Jules80]

i've been told on this board to put it in the front pocket of your pants.

[Libby]

BTW...I can't stress how important Eagles suggestion of keeping your stuff in a little bag while in your money belt. Had he not suggested that to me I would have had really wet money and it wasn't from just water. If it's a hot day you sweat.

I kept my cash for the day in a wallet I carried in my day pack. I also carried one of my cards with me too..either my debit or my credit card. The other was in my money belt.

[Marc]

Thanks for the advice!

[starprincess]

Did anyone get a silk one?
Is that better for breathability?

I don't want icky nylon touching my skin for 2 months *eww*

[Jules80]

mine is cotton... i guess i'll see how that works out...