Hiding Money
Chapter 16 : How to Hide Money
and Documents
Hiding money in money belts is still a good way to carry cash.
They're common, and thieves know of them, but it isn't easy to
tell if your belt has a hidden compartment, and it isn't easy
for a robber to get at it quickly. It is a good way to carry
some of your cash when you travel. Here are some more
ways.
There are travel options other than money belts for hiding
cash and important papers. Use several of them, rather than putting
everything in one place. Don't carry too much cash. It's easy
now, almost everywhere, to access your money using an ATM, so
carry enough for a few days, or a week at most.
There are pouches that hang under your shirt to carry your
passport and other papers. They're obvious if you're wearing
a light shirt, but then it is always hard to thoroughly hide
a passport on your body. In any case, it isn't easily accessible
to pickpockets.
I cut a pocket from some old pants and used a safety pin to
attach it inside my travel pants. This has worked well on several
trips. It's not noticeable, and would be difficult for a thief
to get at without taking off my pants. However, it is inconvenient
when I'm asked for my passport, since I have to reach into my
pants.
Hiding Money in Shoes
If the inner soles of your shoes are removable, put twenty
dollars under each one for emergencies. This works well for me,
but then I don't have expensive shoes that could themselves be
a target. It is just another place, and you should always have
several different places to hide cash when traveling.
Think creatively. Roll up a bill and put it in the handle
of a disposable razor. Just don't throw it away by accident.
Find or make other hiding places. If your money is in several
hard-to-find places, it will take a persistent thief to find
all of your cash. Make robbers truly work for their living.
Hiding money in your hotel room requires some thought. There
are many good places. Ask any thief, and he'll tell you the best
ones. Just choose a safe hotel and be careful. Of course, hiding
things will at least reduce the temptation for bad employees
and lazy thieves.
I once had a wallet stolen from a zippered back pocket. It
was a decoy wallet, so the pickpocket's skill earned him a few
pieces of paper. Another time I had to drag a robber off a bus
and wait for police, but his accomplice escaped with our money.
Travel is about adventure, but fortunately we can avoid this
kind most of the time.
The traveler goes to truly experience new places, cultures
and even ideas, and so travel is an adventure. The tourist goes
to see things, and so travel is like a television program.
- Steven Scott
Continue with Chapter 17 here: Second
Passport
Note: This chapter on hiding money and documents was
part of the e-book Travel Secrets. Now all chapters
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