Money belt - am I doing this right?

the opoponax · Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:22

OK, so I picked up one of those nifty waist pouch money belt thingums today at le target, all intent on being a safe and secure traveler (at least for when I'm asleep on overnight trains through Bihar

).

I don't think I'm doing this right.

Mainly, while the empty money belt camouflages well under my top when positioned right at the waistband of my jeans (and still looks OK with some credit cards and cash in it), once I put my brand spanking new crisp edged passport in, I might as well be wearing the passport on a cord around my neck with a big sign saying "STEAL ME" pasted to it. It broadcasts right through my clothes.

Am I supposed to be putting it on under my jeans, more around my hips? Should I bang my passport around a little to soften it up? WTF?

madan80 · Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:35

I think more than the visibility - a money belt is to keep things in-accessible for passer-bys'.

(read: pick-pockets)

the opoponax · Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:44

Yeah, but if a potential pickpocket looked at me, he'd think "oh, that girl has something valuable under her shirt..." (no laughs from the peanut gallery...) It would only take a little distraction for them to brush against me and figure out how to slash it open or cut it off.

paintedlotus · Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:48

They're made to be worn under your jeans, yes. It shouldn't be that visible (or visible at all) with your passport in it unless your clothes are somewhat thin and/or clingy(??).

I have one and since it takes up virtually no space even when not being worn, I bring it with "just in case". However, I always wear it on my back, not on my belly. I HATE having it in the front for some reason, but that's just me.

the opoponax · Jan 3rd, 2008, 11:08

... And I'm back, and yes, under the jeans works swimmingly. The thicker fabric and bulk of buttons and zippers helps hide the bulgy bits.

I also wonder if it's because the shirt I'm wearing today is a little tighter than what I'm packing for India, but it's by no means unusually clingy by western standards...

Anyway, thanks all! Sorry to bother people!

iwanttogoback · Jan 3rd, 2008, 12:17

just make sure you have some walking around money in your pocket, unless you like fishing around inside your jeans when you are paying for your purchases.

mama4us · Jan 3rd, 2008, 12:32

I've had two of those things, both stolen off me - the firdt time I didn't even know about it until we got back to our residence - the second time it was so swift, that I wouldnt have had a hope in hell of catching the blighter - luckily both times there was not much in it at all. I've been travelling around here (India) for a good while now and would NEVER wear another one thats for sure!
BTWthe second time it was done with a blade like a stanley knife, only much slimmer - he dropped it when he ran!

Anders · Jan 3rd, 2008, 13:34

How did you carry the moneybelt?

mama4us · Jan 3rd, 2008, 13:47

Under a long t-shirt my friend! (both times) The first time I didnt know about it, and that moneybelt did have a long strap that probably protruded below the shirt - the sedon one - therre was a bump into me and the scalpel ting was dropped and the money belt was gone along with the assailent!

atala · Jan 3rd, 2008, 16:04

I never wear a money belt but a chest pouch that I wear cross-shoulder-wise under one arm (always in control of it). If you do wear a money belt and it shows, then tie an additional thin scarf around your waste to cover it.

(For newcomers, it is not really a money-belt we are talking about, because a passport would not fit into such a piece. It is a thin pouch that is tied around the belly.)

SteamBuff · Jan 3rd, 2008, 17:25

I purchased several of the waist money belts, cut the strap off and had them stiched into my jeans. (on the waist band - inside of course)

Dave

Khandoma · Jan 3rd, 2008, 18:05

The Opoponax : I think your hunch is right. If you dress in a salwar kameez, or a traditional kurta, your pouch (around your neck) won't show. Quite the opposite, it will help the fabric stay away from your body and accomplish the "shapeless" look that is desirable if you don't fancy permanent ogling. That is what I just did for 3 weeks, works fine. I thought it would have been clumsy to extract the pouch from under my clothes every single time, revealing some anatomy in the process, but if you're wearing a proper salwar kameez then you don't reveal anything. When I didn't need to pull the thing out every five minutes, like when sleeping in trains, I would slide it across the opposite shoulder, as Atala indicates, but still under my clothes.
My 2 Rs.

Prashant.M · Jan 3rd, 2008, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by the opoponax

OK, so I picked up one of those nifty waist pouch money belt thingums today at le target, all intent on being a safe and secure traveler (at least for when I'm asleep on overnight trains through Bihar

).

Don't forget to keep your biscuits in there too, so that they are safe from the dreaded biscuit bandits. A classic from Steven_ber

.

Khandoma · Jan 3rd, 2008, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prashant.M

Don't forget to keep your biscuits in there too, so that they are safe from the dreaded biscuit bandits. A classic from Steven_ber

.

Hilarious ! I had missed that one, thanks for pointing it out Prashant.

the opoponax · Jan 3rd, 2008, 23:23

I can't handle the across the chest ones -- they REALLY show. Maybe I'm just a very petite woman, I don't know, but you can inevitably see the big hunk of squareness along the side of my body through any clothes (no matter how baggy), and then when I walk around it gets all twisted and shifted which is both uncomfortable and obvious. I can't wear it in front at all, I'm just not that curvy.

The hip belt seems to be working well, though. Since I had to adjust it to the smallest size, I just clipped off the excess. So no worries about a dangling bit of elastic giving me away. Under the waistband of a pair of pants you can't even tell it's there. And, yes, I plan to carry my wallet with small bills and change which I'll use most of the time for small purchases.

Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:22	#1
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Money belt - am I doing this right? OK, so I picked up one of those nifty waist pouch money belt thingums today at le target, all intent on being a safe and secure traveler (at least for when I'm asleep on overnight trains through Bihar ). I don't think I'm doing this right. Mainly, while the empty money belt camouflages well under my top when positioned right at the waistband of my jeans (and still looks OK with some credit cards and cash in it), once I put my brand spanking new crisp edged passport in, I might as well be wearing the passport on a cord around my neck with a big sign saying "STEAL ME" pasted to it. It broadcasts right through my clothes. Am I supposed to be putting it on under my jeans, more around my hips? Should I bang my passport around a little to soften it up? WTF?

Jan 3rd, 2008, 17:25	#11
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	I purchased several of the waist money belts, cut the strap off and had them stiched into my jeans. (on the waist band - inside of course) Dave __________________ Huffing & Puffing along ... The Steamy One!

Jan 3rd, 2008, 18:05	#12
Khandoma Gourmet Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Paris Posts: 302	The Opoponax : I think your hunch is right. If you dress in a salwar kameez, or a traditional kurta, your pouch (around your neck) won't show. Quite the opposite, it will help the fabric stay away from your body and accomplish the "shapeless" look that is desirable if you don't fancy permanent ogling. That is what I just did for 3 weeks, works fine. I thought it would have been clumsy to extract the pouch from under my clothes every single time, revealing some anatomy in the process, but if you're wearing a proper salwar kameez then you don't reveal anything. When I didn't need to pull the thing out every five minutes, like when sleeping in trains, I would slide it across the opposite shoulder, as Atala indicates, but still under my clothes. My 2 Rs. __________________ Khandoma Visit my India photo gallery on IndiaMike

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Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:35	#2
madan80 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 148	I think more than the visibility - a money belt is to keep things in-accessible for passer-bys'. (read: pick-pockets)

Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:44	#3
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Yeah, but if a potential pickpocket looked at me, he'd think "oh, that girl has something valuable under her shirt..." (no laughs from the peanut gallery...) It would only take a little distraction for them to brush against me and figure out how to slash it open or cut it off.

Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:48	#4
paintedlotus Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 25	They're made to be worn under your jeans, yes. It shouldn't be that visible (or visible at all) with your passport in it unless your clothes are somewhat thin and/or clingy(??). I have one and since it takes up virtually no space even when not being worn, I bring it with "just in case". However, I always wear it on my back, not on my belly. I HATE having it in the front for some reason, but that's just me.

Jan 3rd, 2008, 11:08	#5
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	... And I'm back, and yes, under the jeans works swimmingly. The thicker fabric and bulk of buttons and zippers helps hide the bulgy bits. I also wonder if it's because the shirt I'm wearing today is a little tighter than what I'm packing for India, but it's by no means unusually clingy by western standards... Anyway, thanks all! Sorry to bother people!

Jan 3rd, 2008, 12:17	#6
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,512	just make sure you have some walking around money in your pocket, unless you like fishing around inside your jeans when you are paying for your purchases.

Jan 3rd, 2008, 12:32	#7
mama4us Heaven's Seat Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Reis Magos - Goa Posts: 32	I've had two of those things, both stolen off me - the firdt time I didn't even know about it until we got back to our residence - the second time it was so swift, that I wouldnt have had a hope in hell of catching the blighter - luckily both times there was not much in it at all. I've been travelling around here (India) for a good while now and would NEVER wear another one thats for sure! BTWthe second time it was done with a blade like a stanley knife, only much slimmer - he dropped it when he ran!

Jan 3rd, 2008, 13:34	#8
Anders Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 630	How did you carry the moneybelt?

Jan 3rd, 2008, 13:47	#9
mama4us Heaven's Seat Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Reis Magos - Goa Posts: 32	Under a long t-shirt my friend! (both times) The first time I didnt know about it, and that moneybelt did have a long strap that probably protruded below the shirt - the sedon one - therre was a bump into me and the scalpel ting was dropped and the money belt was gone along with the assailent!

Jan 3rd, 2008, 16:04	#10
atala Senior Member, 8 yrs in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland, just back from India 2008 Posts: 691	I never wear a money belt but a chest pouch that I wear cross-shoulder-wise under one arm (always in control of it). If you do wear a money belt and it shows, then tie an additional thin scarf around your waste to cover it. (For newcomers, it is not really a money-belt we are talking about, because a passport would not fit into such a piece. It is a thin pouch that is tied around the belly.)

Jan 3rd, 2008, 23:23	#15
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	I can't handle the across the chest ones -- they REALLY show. Maybe I'm just a very petite woman, I don't know, but you can inevitably see the big hunk of squareness along the side of my body through any clothes (no matter how baggy), and then when I walk around it gets all twisted and shifted which is both uncomfortable and obvious. I can't wear it in front at all, I'm just not that curvy. The hip belt seems to be working well, though. Since I had to adjust it to the smallest size, I just clipped off the excess. So no worries about a dangling bit of elastic giving me away. Under the waistband of a pair of pants you can't even tell it's there. And, yes, I plan to carry my wallet with small bills and change which I'll use most of the time for small purchases.

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