Your Travel Money Belt -
Don't Leave Home without it!
I arrived in Beijing with a brand new passport some years ago and had never heard of a travel money belt. In my ignorance I stored it (and my money) in my daypack, which I wore on my back. As I tried to pay for a pastry in a bakery, I noticed my daypack was wide open - and empty! I had been robbed - by a small group of Russian-speaking young men, it would appear. And I never even noticed.
No more. From that day onward (and after a stern scolding from my embassy), my papers would go straight into my travel money belt.
Your valuables and your money belt
The best advice I can give you about your valuables on the road is this: don't take any with you!
That's right. The road is no place for anything you aren't prepared to lose. You should be prepared to have everything stolen - though you probably won't.
So how do you protect your documents?
The one single item I could never do without is a travel money belt, also known as a money pouch. It isn't really a belt at all but rather a pouch that is usually worn around the waist. Some versions are worn on other parts of the body, such as the ankle or neck wallet.
Or should I say - a hidden money belt! This is something worn under your clothes, where no one but yourself can see it.
There are many kinds of money belt - so take your pick:
- Velcro money belt: this one uses velcro rather than a zipper. An advantage is that anyone opening the velcro will alert you because of the noise.
- Nylon money belt: these are lightweight, dry quickly, but in the heat they can chafe and make you sweaty.
- Silk money belt: this is a more upmarket version of the homemade money belt - just use silk rather than cotton or polyester for a smoother, more luxurious feel.
- Waterproof money belt: most of these are regular money belts with an inside waterproof pocket. A few are fully waterproof and made of plastic - you can even take them into the shower. You can put your money in this one and put the entire pack into your money belt.
- Traditional or leather money belt: this is the original belt with a zipper on the inside, if you usually wear belts. I don't really recommend this as it won't take a passport. However, if you want to divide your money, it can be useful.
- Designer money belt: this is the least recommended - it screams 'rich, mug me!' and is designed to be seen, not hidden under your clothes. That defeats parts of the purpose.
Let me give you a tour of a travel money belt, or what I consider the perfect money belt: it is a lightweight cotton and synthetic mix, with a moisture-proof back (if you can't find one, just put all your valuables in a ziplock bag). Some of the newest models have an anti-microbial back - to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause odor or mildew.
It breathes because of the cotton, and dries quickly because of the nylon. It has a wide elastic waistband, which I consider most important for comfort. It has a few flat zippers, the heads of which are covered with velcro. There is a main pouch for the passport and cards, and one or two smaller pouches for cards and papers.
A second but close favorite is the bra money pouch, especially on days I know I won't be needing any access!
One more thing - I tend to divide up my money inside my money belt into days. I use small plastic see-through bags so each day, I take one small bag out and use that for the day's spending.
It keeps my travel money belt organized, so I don't feel rushed when I need to get into it. And it also helps me budget.
11 Safety Tips to hang on to your money
- Never open your travel money belt in public.
- Don't keep all your money in your money belt. Carry enough cash for the day in your pocket so you don't have to keep dipping into your secret stash.
- If you must delve into your money belt, go to the ladies room or other private place.
- If a money belt is uncomfortable, try a neck wallet or ankle stash. As long as it's hidden, anywhere is fine.
- Always wear your money pouch - especially when you sleep near other people, in hostel dorms or on public transport.
- Keep your belt within sight in the shower (but keep it away from the water).
- Always put your money into your travel money belt before you leave the bank or post office.
- Your money belt is for money, cards, important phone numbers and passport. Any jewellery or other valuables should be left at home. And put a photocopy of your papers into your backpack.
- Don't keep photocopies of your important papers in your money belt. If you should lose it, you'll also lose your vital information.
- Don't take your money belt off and stow it in your day pack. Yes - some people do that!
- And finally, be aware of your surroundings. Simple caution usually works better than anything else!
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