Money Matters

[fadiDaRocket]

I just have a couple of questions to ask the pros...since i m not one when it comes to travelling Btw, I'm going to SEA (south east asia) for a couple of months (may be even a year if I like it that much)

First, I've been browsing through TravelPunk about what to do with money and other "money" related stuff. The general feeling that I get is that I obviously will be needing a travel belt of some sort to stash the cash I also read that I should always carry with me "emergency cash".

OK, here are my questions:

1) Should I always carry with me 2 sets of debit/credit cards - obviously not in the same place? What should I do if I loose a set? Is my other set still going to be good? Should I call to cancel my cards? What to do?

2) In terms of cash/emergency stash, I'm guessing the emergency "stash" of cash will be "hidden" in my money/utility belt? How about the "floating" cash, does that go in my pockets? How much floating cash should I carry with me (considering that i'm goin to SEA)?

3) I've read somewhere, on this site, that I should always have my money belt on me (sleeping, making a deposit u know where, etc). What about if I decide to go for a swim somewhere? Where the heck am I supposed to keep the belt? I'm assuming that money/cards/passports don't like to get wet !!!

Thanks in advance to all the people that will reply to this

U R ALL AWESOMELY WICKED!!!~~

[ScarlotteDorian]

um, yeah, definetly bring a money belt. i kept mine on the entire time during my last trip. it's not uncomfortable and you forget it's there.

as for emergency cash, we just got cash along the way or paid with credit cards. carrying a large amount of money anywhere scares the hell out of me. i'd rather just get small amounts along the way and pay the couple dollar fee per atm withdrawl, but i can see where this might be a porblem in certain situations.

as for swimming. you sound about as paraniod as me about getting ripped off. bring a zipped lock bag and put your passport in it. keep your moneybelt on. why not? better to be unfashionable than to be stuck in another country with no passport and no money.

[fadiDaRocket]

funny u say that...yeah...i m a little paranoid It's a "gift" that I've been blessed with. Working on it though!!! Nobody's perfect...That's one (of the many) reasons why I'm planning on doing this. What better way to solve this problem than to go to a "strange" place with "strange" people everywhere...

Plus, i think (i don't know for sure, i might just be crazy ) i was a budhist in my previous life...donno for sure...that's another reason why i m going...

Does anyone know if we're allowed to talk to the monks and ask them questions?

[worldwidemike]

Sure, you can talk to the Buddhist monks. Just be respectful and deferential. The one thing I guess that causes you to lose face in SE Asia is to make a big scene and lose self control. So, if you're the loud, walk into a room and the attention swirls around you type, tone it down a bit. Not that you SOUND like that type, but just something I've heard in my travels to SE Asia.

The type of money belt that I carry is an actual belt, but with a zipper along the inside. You can trifold bills up and shove them into it. That's what I've used for years and never had a problem. Can't stick your passport in it, of course, but I guess I don't worry about that as much. Simply keep a photocopy of the picture page of your passport in a different location, so that if anything happens to it, all the info is right there for the consulate/embassy to replace...

worldwidemike

[fadiDaRocket]

Thanks for the advice. As for myself, I'm not the loud and abnoxious type. I respect people and their culture.

Just another thing to ask. I know a lot of people recommend not to carry money around. I'm sure that they mean not to carry like $500 around. What's a reasonable amount to carry around? Any recommendations?

Thanx again for all the excellent advice. U guys are awesom

[Joker]

For 8 days, I carried $200 in cash (small bills- 5's, 10's and 1 $50.) and $200 in travelers checks (not worth the hassle, IMO. I've ranted about it before on here.) Also had my check card in my travel wallet with my passport, student ID, health insurance info, etc.

As for a money belt, I bought one online for @$20. Zips on the inside, its basic black nylon webbing, and it held a little better than half my money/cash. (i have an extra if you are interested. PM me if you want it). I never wore anything w/o it.

I also had my wallet with no more than $25 in cash in it at any time. I carried this in a front pocket. Last thing I wanted was to flash $$ getting my wallet out! If need be, i transferred cash to it in private.

I would suggest this: Photocopy your important ID info (passport, driver's, etc), preferably getting it all onto one page. Leave a copy at home with your folks/trusted friends or if you have a safe deposit box, etc, leave one there, too.

Then, keep a copy in that money belt with the zipper.

last, keep a copy in your first aid/medicine kit.

If in the chance that something gets lost/stolen, having copies makes the replacement process that much faster/easier, or so i hear.


Finally, on the subject of waterproof bags-- I happened to have a dry bag with a lanyard that I use when I go Jet-Skiing/boating for my license. When I hit the hot springs, my smokes and cash went in it, and the rest of my valuables were safe back at the hostel. Looks abit dorky, I admit, but you know what- i had dry cigarettes!! :D

Good Luck!