[Katherisco]

Hello All,

As I try to start to prepare for my future travel I was wondering what everyone used to carry their money? I searched old posts, but couldn't find what everyone thought was the best idea for carrying their money. I am trying to decide bewteen a money belt/pouch around my waist or a neck pouch. I am also interested in what brand you purchased if you thought your product was good and you would use it again. If you used a neck pouch, was it hidden enough or did you have a bulge in your chest area? I am traveling with my mom and since we are both woman and will be alone I want to be as safe as possible. Thanks for any information.

[beckyww]

Keith and I divided our cash between us. We each wore half. I wore a neck sack; Keith wore a belt. Since you'll be carrying thousands in crisp new bills - it's best to be extra-safe.

We also had Xerox copies of our passports with us in those pouches.

Word of warning: Be careful of buying these online. The most expensive one I bought was online and it had a very rough bead on the strap that hit at the base of the neck. Already taken the tags off - can't return at that point. I think it's better if you actually try it on - around your neck or waist or whatever.

When we were in for tne night, we would lock the pouches in the room safe. But otherwise - we wore them.

Becky
This Reminds Me

[kretzklan]

We used neck pouches that had compartments for passports and cash. I don't know the name brand - but we got them at Wal-mart. We love those things and still use them today for all our travel. They lay very flat against your chest and we even bought one for our oldest son and put some money in his...we figured no one was going to try to rob a 9/10 year old! We also had an ankle bag and my DH wore it the whole time with a stash there as well...we really split the money up big time and paid our people as soon as they would take it!

[momofMikhail]

We used the pouches that go around the waist and loved them. We also split all our money between the two of us just to feel safer. I can't remember what brand they were, but we actually forgot to get them and remembered while we were at the airport. So we bought them in a luggage store right in the airport. We also carried copies of our passports and visas in our pouches just to be safe. We were told to try and show the copies if we were asked for our passport or visa before showing originals.

Hope you have a safe and exciting trip!!!!!!!

[cac_li]

I used a money belt, which I bought at a AAA office--very cheap. I heard that the neck straps are not as safe as they are visible.

[amyfk]

I dont remember exactly what we wore, but the money carriers weren't visible. As the first person mentioned you may end up carrying thousands of dollars on person on the trips. We went as a couple and split the money between the both of us. We also made it our business not to talk to others on the plane so they wouldnt know we were "tourists" or adopters. Since we are caucasian folks wouldnt know if we were from Russia or not. Also we knew another couple from our agency was on the flight-again we didnt look for them or identify ourselves for safety for our money until after we met at the Russian airport.
Amy K, NJ

[TweetyMom04]

-Neck holder (we went in the Winter, so the neck strap was easily tugged into shirt/turtleneck). I tucked the bottom into the top of my jeans. You can purchase these for a few dollars at Target or Wal-mart, etc.
-Waist holders. Same purchase areas.
-We went to an Army/Navy Store. DH purchased a pair of EMT pants (shorts are also available). The pants are loaded with pockets. You can get Black or Dark Navy Blue. Pants cost maybe $30 - 40, but well worth it. DH wore them so much over the yrs, he just threw them out because of holes, etc. after 5 yrs of wear!
-Divided the money between us.
-Put the money into envelopes and mark with letters you would only know. i.e., "Gift to Caretakers" mark your envelope GC, etc.
-Give out the envelopes as soon as possible. Less for you to have to worry about and carry.
-Photocopy your passport and carry copies w/you. Also, give copies to Family in the states, so in case something happends to your passport, they can assist with copies in the US, if needed.
-Don't speak w/others about 'why' you are traveling to RU.

Good Luck

[Ebadge90]

My wife and I wore both the neck pouch and the waist belt. Our passports fit perfectly in the neck pouch, which made access easier in case any of the foreign authorities needed to see it. The neck pouch could also hold some cash.
The plus with the waist puch, and I don't mean a fanny pack, is that it sat perfectly at out belt line, thus almost not noticeable. That is where kept the large majority of our "new" money, so that it would stay flatter and would not have to be folded.
My suggestion, get both.

[MominPA]

We didn't use anything besides our normal wallets and purse but we didn't need to carry thousands of dollars on us either. My husband kept his wallet in a zip up part in the inside of his jacket.

We just had to pay for our driver, which was $50.00 a day and only on the days the we used him. Any extra money that we didn't need for the day we kept in our safe in our room. We stayed at one of the Marriott's in Moscow for each of our three trips.

The third trip we had to carry a little bit more since we had to pay for the visa medical exam. The embassy at the time took credit cards for the Visa fee.

We just did the precautions as like we were going to NYC.

All our adoption fees and donation was paid to our agency. The only exception was the driver.

[PamelaC]

We used the neck pouch. We got ours at Walmart. Worked great. Our passports fit perfectly in the neck pouch, along with several thousand dollars in 100 dollar bills.

[ChelleBrewer]

I haven't adopted from Russia, but I lived there. I always used my money belt that goes under clothes. You can get them at any AAA or travel section of a department store. I like them because they can be washed and are incredibly inconspicuous. We lived there in the early 90s, when it was actually quite dangerous and never had an issue.

[LeJo12]

My DH used a money belt on our last trip - we bought it at a Samsonite store. He was not able to walk through security without having to take it off. Almost more of a pain than it was worth. I just put my 1/2 of the money in my purse. I did wear my purse across my body as opposed to just over my shoulder and kept it on for the entire flight.

[demeter]

I went with a group of students from the local university and while many of them chose to do either the belt or the neck thing i chose to simply carry the money in envelopes in my purse. I did keep a close eye on my purse and while we traveled to both Kiev, Ukraine and Moscow with a fairly large amount of cash on all of us, no one was hurt. I agree with some of the others. Do what is comfortable for you though and as long as you stay vigilant and try to unload some as quickly as possible you should be fine.

Shilo