If you are a keen traveler overseas, there is nothing more spine-chilling than to be in a crowded tourist destination and hear the intercom announce ‘Attention! Attention! Pick pockets in the building”. You look down at your open bag where your wallet was sitting on top in full view and now it is gone.
Another frightening experience is to be hustled by a group of people as you are trying to enter or exit a crowded train, only to find a few minutes later your money belt has been skillfully removed while you are distracted trying to get on or off the train.
Of course, there is the other silly situation where you either leave your bag behind at the restaurant or someone grabs it and is off before you can stop the thief.
Keeping both your money and documents safe while traveling is a very important issue for all people is a foreign country. I have come up with a simple solution.
I prefer to wear designated lightweight travel clothes; however, this is not essential. What I do, is purchase a couple of net laundry bags and then cut them to the shape of the side pockets on my pants. I then sew onto the back of the pocket, a second net pocket which can only be accessed by yourself by putting your hand down inside your trousers. Of course, you keep within easy access sufficient funds to pay for everyday small expenses, but credit cards, passports and large sums of money are safely secured where only you can access them.
Another important issue is how you access your bank account while overseas. Using public interest cafes is a NO-NO. Either have your own personal device or go to an ATM and withdraw your funds. You may want to consider having a debit card with just enough money for a week and then top it up as needed.
If traveling overseas is on your wish list, Financial Mappers gives you a detailed budget planner so that you can plan your budget. Reading Noel Whittaker’s set of four books, A Bundle of Wisdom will also get you on the start to financial freedom and all the travel you desire.
Glenis Phillips SF FIN – Designer of Financial Mappers
Disclaimer: Financial Mappers does not have an Australian Services License, does not offer financial planning advice, and does not recommend financial products.
