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Peoples advice on storing money , papers and valuables?

Advice on what way people manage storing money and valuables when away? Practical advice?

16 years ago, December 2nd 2007 No: 1 Msg: #23480 Delete Edit

Uncle Matt
Deborah

B Posts: 24

Hi there,

I\'m going travelling soon to Asia and will be spending the guts of a 5-6 months travelling Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, skipping in to Malaysia for a bit and then heading to OZ. I\'ve been doing lots of research but one thing I can\'t get my head around is where do you safely leave your gear during the day? Surley you don\'t carry it all with you all the time, how do you know where\'s safe to leave it?

And also what way do you keep cash - notes in a wallet, in your security belt under clothes?(would imagine that this is a pain to keep delving in and out of all day?) or as a debit/ credit card? (which leaves you screwed if you get robbed or loose it!
Obviously I don\'t want to keep my years worth of cash in my bag and I\'m concerned of charges for using the atm machienes all the time - not to mention if you can\'t find one? I know there are travellers cheques but I have heard that these are rarely used anymore and that some places may not even accept these?

Can somebody give me their imput as to what way they manage when they are away.

I know this seems trivial but it\'s something that concerns me, I\'m travellling alone and am really looking to see what way people manage?

Do you keep your plane tickets and passport and all your papers on you at all times (seems like there has to be another way seeing this will be me travelling for a year! and I\'m sure sweat builds up and will wreck your papers!)
Also what do you do of you are going swimming and you have all of your papers with you?Where do you keep them.

As much imput as possible would be greatly appreciated- as I said, trivial but practical?

Cheers,

Uncle Matt - Ireland Reply to this

16 years ago, December 4th 2007 No: 2 Msg: #23619 Delete Edit

j500sut
Chris Sutcliffe

N Posts: 19

I have exactly the same concerns Uncle Matt!! Reply to this

16 years ago, December 5th 2007 No: 3 Msg: #23676 Delete Edit

pkeusgen
Peter Keusgen

B Posts: 117

Hey Matt..

A couple of ideas from how I manage my finances:

1. Carry two or three wallets. One with spare cash and debit card for emergencies (that you won't be using), One with your main card and cash for a few days, and one with whatever you need in local currency for the day and won't cry if you lose or get wet.

2. You can keep valuables at most guesthouses in their safe. I usually keep my cards separate.

3. People don't usually steal passports and plane tickets. These days your plane ticket will be an e-ticket anyway, so store on your email.

4. Cash is king. You won't have much trouble finding an ATM in most cities, although don't expect anything outside of the main cities in Laos and Vietnam. Charges are steep so you want to withdraw large amounts but no problem when you divvy up the cash between wallets and safes.

5. Travellers' cheques are good for emergencies. Just keep a scan of them on your email. Reply to this

16 years ago, December 7th 2007 No: 4 Msg: #23830 Delete Edit

HomerJS
Neil T.

N Posts: 15

Adding to what Pkeusgen has written:

1. Most hotels will gladly hold your items, but where they keep your items varies from hotels to hotels. At large hotels, they usually have storage rooms that are restricted to a few people. At smaller hotels, they may just leave the items in their office or behind the receptionist counter, where almost every staff have access to the items. If in doubt, find out if airports or train stations have luggage storage service, and I do not mean lockers.

2. Have a photocopy of your passport. If a safe is available, store the passport in the safe and carry the photocopy. If a safe is not available, then carry the passport and leave the photocopy in the hotel room. In some countries, if you do not have proper IDs on you, you can get yourself in trouble with the law.

3. Keep a list of your credit/debit card numbers and the telephone numbers of the cards' customer service department. I keep my list in my e-mail account.

4. Carry your travel insurance documents with you. If you have known allergies, it is best to carry this information as well.

5. You do not need to carry your airplane tickets around. Just leave them at your hotel room. The tickets have little use to the thieves because the passenger names cannot be changed. But, if the tickets show your credit card number and expiration date, then you will want to secure this information.

6. If you plan to be swimmimg, you can consider using water-proof pouches. These come in various sizes. I prefer pouches that are made of soft plastic because they can be easily folded and because they are more comfortable to carry/wear when I'm in the water.

7. Using Western Union is one method to store some emergency cash. You or the sender must in advance specify the country where the money will be picked up and by whom. To pick up the money, personal ID and the money transfer control number are required. If the money is not picked up, the sender has the option of getting a refund minus processing fees. Major cons: The processing fee to send the money is not cheap, and the payment agent may also charge a fee to distribute the money. Pros: Once the money is sent, it can be picked up almost immediately... so, if you are in desperate need of money, you can ask your relatives/friends to send you money using Western Union.

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16 years ago, December 9th 2007 No: 5 Msg: #23889 Delete Edit

the wilderness years
hollie

B Posts: 67

A few tips:

If you are from the UK (I'm not sure if you can open an account outside of the UK) then open a Nationwide building society account. Nationwide do not charge you for drawing cash out of ATM machines abroad, which is fantastic as you can obviously withdraw when you need to and not carry large amounts around with you. I'm not sure if other banks/building society offer this service, I'm sure they can't be the only ones!

Photocopy everything! Your passport, any insurance documents. Leave one in your backpack, one with family and friends, and perhaps also scan them onto a computer and place in your email account. Then if everything does get lost/stolen/damaged you're not completely at a loss. Also keep all emergency numbers in an email on your account, and also with trusted people at home. Perhaps keep a very small amount of cash rolled up in a sock or similar and stuff it in your backpack - ideal for emergencies. I don't think people tend to steal smelly old clothes!

Personally, I used to leave all my stuff in my backpack on my bed at the hostels I was staying at, leaving the photocopies there, and then carry around my passport, my inter-rail ticket and my debit cards/wallet etc in my day bag. It worked for me, but of course it doesn't for some, and they do lose everything. But you can't protect against everything. My best advice is to be sensible, keep important things on your person, and then enjoy yourself. As long as you have back up - i.e the photocopies, all your contact numbers and a little cash - you will be ok. Reply to this

16 years ago, December 10th 2007 No: 6 Msg: #23934 Delete Edit

tannismc
Tannis McCartney

B Posts: 91

I keep photocopies of all my documents in each of my bags (day pack and main pack), plus a photo of each backpack in case one of them disappears or doesn't arrive at the same airport as me. I usually email a copy of these to someone back home too, or have a copy stored in my email where I can access it. I also keep a copy of important numbers etc. with these copies.

One of the things I make sure I have a photocopy of is the sales receipt for my camera gear (and any other electronics I'm carrying), with the serial numbers written down somewhere. Even if these things are insured, you usually have to file a police report to be able to make the insurance claim.

I keep the equivalent of about $20 (or less, depending on where I am) in the front pocket of my jeans so I don't need to get my wallet out all the time during the day. My wallet is buried deep in my daypack (which can't be unzipped while I'm wearing it), but usually only has enough cash for a day or two (and my credit card).

I keep my passport (I just carry photocopies of it if I can get away with it), ATM card and extra money either in a money belt or stored in the safe at my hostel/hotel. As much as I hate wearing the money belt, it recently came in handy as I was losing weight in Europe. The extra bulk under my jeans helped hold them up!

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16 years ago, December 11th 2007 No: 7 Msg: #23989 Delete Edit

drbexl
Bex Lewis

B Posts: 18

1) I bought a pacsafe money belt and wear it under my clothes most of the time - bit of extra bulk, but just keep passport/spare credit cards and travellers cheque for emergencies in there. I had to wear it on the overnight trains in Asia and actually found it was comfortable enough to do this all the time. Otherwise only have a couple of valuables and leave them locked in YHA lockers/hotel reception or carry them. Didn't find people too interested in nicking stuff in most cities in Asia - too busy trying to rip you off. But still, if take out extra money, kept it in pacsafe and then just kept a few dollars in an accessible pocket...
2) Also opened a Nationwide account - which is great. Keep a bit extra out though as the odd ATM doesn't like your card - everyone found this whatever card they had.
3) I bought an Aquapac for my camera which means I can take it into the sea/pool (and still take photos down to 5 metres). I REALLY wish that I'd bought one to put my other odds & ends -e.g. phone as don't like leaving those on the beach so sometimes miss the sea altogether is carrying the wrong stuff.
4) Keep copies of forms, etc. on a googlemail account (it has ACRES of storage space). I also had stuff on my USB stick, but am now trying to remember exactly what that was as I left it in the computer yesterday and it's been taken... bit of a worry so maybe not the best idea. Reply to this

16 years ago, December 11th 2007 No: 8 Msg: #24035 Delete Edit

Uncle Matt
Deborah

B Posts: 24

Guys, this is great advice, it really has been the biggest concern to me as, it seems that its the most logical and simplist things get over looked!
I'll defo take the photos of teh back pack, I think that's a great idea! And the copies of everything. I guess the whole thing sounds more awkward than it actually is...
Bex what was the water proof thing you got for camera?
I've bought a cannon EOS 400d and am learning to use it before I go, I'm sure you couldn't bring a piece of kitt like that underwater??? Reply to this

16 years ago, December 12th 2007 No: 9 Msg: #24050 Delete Edit

drbexl
Bex Lewis

B Posts: 18

I bought the http://www.aquapac.net/ for compact cameras (I wish I'd bought the bigger one too!), otherwise it's the official underwater housing, which can be a lot, but is suitable for depth!! Reply to this

16 years ago, December 12th 2007 No: 10 Msg: #24058 Delete Edit

John and Sylvia
John Wallace & Sylvia Bowman Wallace

B Posts: 908

These are all great suggestions although I found a belt was a bit cumbersome and obvious. Bum-bags are not a good idea! What I did find useful was a small cloth bag I could wear around my neck to carry my passport and valuables. It doesn't show under a t-shirt or top and means you don't have to keep carting a day-pack around everywhere you go. Most travel shops sell them or you can easily make one yourself if you are handy that way.

A couple of things NOT TO DO:

-- Don't carry a wallet/money/valuables in your back pocket even if it has a button or a zip.

-- If you are carrying anything in a jacket pocket, make sure it has a velcro closure. A zip is better than nothing but you can't hear it when someone tries to pick your pocket - and believe me they are good enough to open the zip without you noticing. A fundamental rule of travel security is you can never have too much velcro!

-- When you are travelling by bus/taxi/truck, don't leave anything of value in your backpack. Take it all with you. If you can, keep a lookout when the transport stops to see that your backpack doesn't "accidentally" get unloaded when it is not your stop. Mostly everything will be fine but it does happen occasionally.

Mostly just have fun and accept that somewhere, somewhen you are going to get ripped off. It's part of the adventure.

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16 years ago, December 12th 2007 No: 11 Msg: #24092 Delete Edit

Neddy
Neddy

B Posts: 3

All good advice. Re the sweat build up query: When I travelled in Africa and needed to carry my papers around with me, I made a plastic lining for the inside of my money belt from a plastic bag. While it was a bit warmer - it stopped all the papers getting damp on those really hot days! Reply to this

16 years ago, December 12th 2007 No: 12 Msg: #24105 Delete Edit

Armanddubreuil
Armand Dubreuil

N Posts: 5

Hello There,

we were looking for a good deal accommodation in China and we discovered my wife and I a great website http://www.homeforswap.com where you can find thousands of homes around the world to exchange. we did it last summer and it went very well so we are swapping again for Christmas to go to Paris.

Hope you will find what you want on the website.

Take care

Armand Reply to this

16 years ago, December 12th 2007 No: 13 Msg: #24115 Delete Edit

Uncle Matt
Deborah

B Posts: 24

Heya Bex, had a look at that website, it looks great and so many uses for the bags too!!! I'm going to have to request that Santy brings me one for Christmas.....
What a great invention, i really didn't know there existed sucha thing and was dissapointed that I couldn't take under water photos. THese will be great for going swimming and not leaving my stuff on the beach if I'm alone!!!

Great Stuff! Reply to this

16 years ago, December 16th 2007 No: 14 Msg: #24276 Delete Edit

eddie and katie
eddie and katie

B Posts: 1

we are traveling through asia at the moment and before we left i brought a pack safe travel safe 100 (www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3)which is a little carbon fibre bag with wire mesh around it. so when we leave our digs i just tie it to the fan, water pipe, fridge, bed etc so when somebody comes in theyhave to damage hotel property which they wont cause it would most probably be their property, its been really good and we use it everyday it might also be a good idea to buy a combination lock instead of a key type if you are prone to loosing things like me, Reply to this

16 years ago, February 1st 2008 No: 15 Msg: #26500 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Hello Deborah 😊

I would not worry too much about your backpack. I leave mine at wherever I am staying. In my room or even in the reception. If my clothes are stolen it would not be the end of the world. Sometimes I even leave it in a cafe where I had lunch or a coffee and nip out to use the internet or something.
I keep all money, passport, tickets etc in my moneybelt under my clothes. I usually also carry a wallet in my small bag that I carry around to put enough money in for the day. I never carry cameras or any expensive equipment like that. I just dont want to have to look after them.

I would avoid using a credit card in South East Asia. Credit card freud is common. If u must use it be sure to do so at a reputable bank or a big international multi star hotel. I usually carry enough cash in my moneybelt to last a month. This may seem like a ridiculous amount to carry around but it isnt in Asia. 500 Euros lasted me and my daughter a month between us last two times we were in Thailand.

Dont leave your money belt in your room at guesthouses in SE Asia. Not even while u are in the shower. Take it with u. If u want somebody to look after it u could ask the guesthouse owner. Often if it is a family run place this will be OK. Always check that everything is there when u get it back. It is not unheard of for banknotes and/or travellers cheques to be replaced with sheets of paper.

Make photo copies of the pages of your passport, your plane tickets, visas etc etc and leave a copy with your boyfriend and keep a copy in your backpack. If u are unlucky enough to lose any of your doccuments these photocopies will make them easier to replace. Also your boyfriend can fax them if necessary. And if it is difficult for u to make phone calls etc in a strange country he can phone the consulate etc for u and he will have the photo copies at hand with all the information on them.

U can also put your doccuments in a plastic cover before putting them in your moneybelt to protect them from sweat etc.

Mell

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