Earning saving and raising travel money

Looking after your money

Out and about

The first thing to say is that you should never have large amounts of cash when you’re travelling. Take your money in travellers’ cheques and don’t cash more than you’ll need. Your travellers’ cheques, credit or debit card, passport, documents, and any cash that you won’t need during the day should be kept in one of two places: the secure safe in your hostel, or a money-belt.
Money belt

Now, when we say ‘money-belt’, don’t think ‘bum-bag’ and go puke in a corner. They are two completely different things. Money-belts are flat, breathable, normally flesh-coloured belts that you wear under your clothes, and are an absolutely essential piece of travel kit as they’re very discrete and hard to nick.

Click here >> if you still need to get one

As well as a money belt, take a slim wallet to carry the cash you’ll need for the day.

Muggers and pickpockets aren’t a common problem, but can strike anywhere in the world. Take precautions: keep your wallet somewhere discrete (not your back pocket), avoid poorly-lit or ‘dodgy’ areas, shell out for a taxi rather than walking home alone or after dark, and above all, don’t flash your money or valuables around, wherever you are.

If you are mugged, needless to say, hand over your wallet. It shouldn’t have much cash in it, but even if you’re a fool and it’s stuffed with tenners, your life is worth more than any money. No contest.

At night

If you’re worried about someone swiping your money while you sleep - or even if you’re not - why not keep it in the end of your sleeping bag by your feet? It’ll have an interesting aroma in the morning, but you’ll sleep easy.

Avoiding scams

Nothing we can tell you will guarantee that you don’t get scammed. There are as many scams as there are scamsters, and some are mighty cunning. We could tell you not to trust anyone you meet, but that wouldn’t make for a particularly fun gap year. Our best advice is this: don’t be scared, but be aware. It rhymes, so it’s probably sound.

Any transaction involving medium-to-large amounts of money should put you on high alert. Any transaction involving you giving money to someone, and that person going out of the room or down the road with your money to collect your purchase, should set off alarm bells and possibly a big flashy red light.

Be scam-conscious with fellow travellers, as well as with locals. If a fellow traveller needs money fast to get her out of trouble, why has she come to you rather than asking a friend or family-member to wire her some? (Click here >> for more about money wires.) Has she contacted the local police, or British Embassy? If not, why not?

Be aware, be assertive and you should be fine.

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