Great tips, Laurie! Thank you. I always learn something new from your videos. This spring in Rome, my wallet was stolen from my travel safe cross-body purse while on a crowded train and I had to use both hands to keep my balance. The guy next to me was able to unlock and unzip my purse, grab my wallet, then he was gone. I learned the hard way to always keep one hand on my purse!
Years ago (in the 80s lol), I was in a huge museum with my small kids. I was preoccupied with my child in the stroller, and my cross body bag was unzipped. A thief grabbed nearly everything in my bag without me realizing till I got to my car to leave. I still have dreams where my purse was stolen! Needless to say, I've very careful now, even in my daily life. I have those travel bags - they even attach to the chair or table. Another tip about foreign travel - thieves may ask you something in English, hoping that you don't notice and answer them. This happened to me in France - they would ask if I had the time. I ignored them. Love all of your other safety tips. It's so great that creative people out there are making clever items to protect us! Keep making your videos. They are so helpful!
Hi, Laurie! I've been enjoying your videos for some time now, but this is my first time commenting. I wear a cross-body bag every day....even at home. When dining out, I slip the strap off my shoulder and down around my waist, tucking the purse between my hip/leg and the arm of the chair, keeping my bag attached to me, not the chair. I just returned from a trip where I used a bra purse to hold cash and credit card that I wasn't planning on using that day. It worked great!
I traveled this past Wednesday for the first time been watching your videos to see what to expect. But let me tell you Laurie, what I had learned from your videos was not what happened when I went through tsa didn’t take shoes off, liquid bags, snack, electronics all stayed in bags. I was nervous but thanks to your videos i know what to do. On the way back home! Thanks for all your videos ❤
Great tips as always Laurie! I learned that the smartphone wallets (ApplePay/Android or Google versions) were accepted by most of the European restaurants & merchants that I visited & are gaining more acceptance here at home. It is much safer than using a physical card to pay for goods & services (ApplePay is triple-encrypted), you just need to keep your phone safe! Also I learned the hard way to NEVER hang a bag over a chair back! Like you I loop the bag over my leg or continue to wear it across my body. Thanks for all that you do for us!
I really liked the bra pocket; I used one in Mexico and it was really comfortable & discreet. I have the scarf as well and it was the perfect place to keep my cash and cards while visiting the German Christmas markets.
Something I do both traveling and in daily life is to plan ahead what personal effects I will need easy access to, while keeping everything else hidden. Before going to a gas station, I place my credit card and rewards card as needed in my shirt pocket, so I can quickly pay at the pump. When out in public, I find a place that is fairly private (toilet) to securely put away things, make certain I have correct cash for something, etc. I don’t like to fumble around in public, because I feel self-conscious. My trick is to feel in command of myself, and know what I’m doing, or look like I do.
I used a slim running belt made by Lululemon ,bought large size, put credit cards and some cash inside, strapped around chest under armpits. Then put on bra. The actual zippered pocket area fell comfortably across breast bone, easy for me to access, easy to hide under collar. Felt very safe. Passport was inside a Hero brand neck wallet and tied onto the strap of my small thick strapped cross body ( also from lululemon)and laid at the bottom inside that purse. Could bring out the passport neck wallet when needed it if I was in a tsa line. Traveled through Eutope two weeks and felt safe. Your videos are very helpful thank you so much.
Good tips - but I have to say that whereas traveling used to be such fun and exciting to me, it is now so full of anxiety and things you have to worry about - starting with the TSA check. The shouted instructions are often so hard to hear/understand. Just as a heads up, one of the things that has me the most anxious is going through passport control at Heathrow, where you have to remove your glasses, and then follow the instructions on the screen. What brilliant person thought of that? If I don't have my glasses on, I can't read what's on the screen!! I do love the fact that many places in Europe are contactless, although you still need to carry some cash for pubic bathrooms etc.!
To each his own, but I personally would either demand to know why they were making me take off my glasses at passport control (I had to at security at FCO because the officer was being super dumb (he claimed my glasses were setting off the metal detector, when they've never set any scanner off before or since) - I'm never letting anyone do that to me again, I don't care who they are or where in the world I am - but passport control is not the same as security), or outright refuse to follow the instructions on the screen until they gave me my glasses back. They wouldn't try to make someone who's paralyzed get out of their wheelchair and try to make them walk through, so they can't do it to you: it's literally the exact same thing.
I have a silk clip-on bra pocket. I keep some cash and an extra credit card in it when I travel. It's for emergencies only. I've never needed to use it, but if my purse is ever stolen I'll have emergency funds.
I like having paper tickets, because there is so much less scrolling. another great practice is to leave unnecessary purse/wallet stuff at home. the smaller it is, the easier it tucks away someplace it isn't easy for a thief to get at.
Been watching your videos for several months now and love all the tips and tricks you share. Planning a solo trip soon, so your safety tips are wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing them.
Hello, glad I found you! We are planning a trip to Italy, it’s our first trip overseas. I have had 3 friends get pickpocketed and whole backpack stolen in Europe. I will be buying some of these products. Thank you Lee
A friend of mine was in a walking tour and during a stop was texting a friend. Someone came by on a scooter or electric bike, snatched her phone out of her hand and was gone. I know you can put a lanyard on your phone, but in her instance, I don’t know if that might have pulled her over as he rode away. He was so skilled the others in the group didn’t see it as it happened
I really enjoy your videos! Leaving in two weeks for Europe! I’ve always hated packing but your videos are getting me excited to get started 😁 I am a sucker for good travel gadgets so your videos are getting me in trouble! 😂 thanks again!
Hi Laurie. I am goi gto the Holy Land soon. I have never been out of the country before. I am so enjoying all yourvi vidoes. Thank you for all you do. God Bless you.
Hello I’ve followed your tips for traveling for a while. I’m hoping to be a ‘wise’ traveler as we travel to Paris next year. Thank you again for the reminders!
Some great ideas for stashing stuff out of sight. One additional place I thought of for ID/credit cards you don't immediately have to pull out: if you wear orthotics, the space between the orthotic and the bottom of the shoe is perfect, as long as what you are storing is flat.
These are all great and helpful tips. Thank you. Do you have a video on what you should do if you would have your valuables stolen. Do you go to the police? What would be the best steps to take?
I use a Clipa or a medium size Hero Clip and hang my bag from the side of the table in restaurants. That way it's always in front of me. Also it's not on the dirty floor.
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie I was carrying a zipped bag tightly under my arm, but unfortunately had the zipper facing my back instead of my chest. Next thing I knew, my zippered wallet was gone.
Can you share a link about your blue top you are wearing in this video? You said you really recommended it and my wife wants to get one, but you didn’t say where to find it.
I carry a Travelon cross-body purse (with steel inserts and RFID blocking). I also hide an extra credit card in the wheel-well of my carry-on. Oops. I guess that's not a secret anymore!
Hi there, does anyone has recommendation for preventing laptop and stuff being stolen from hotel room/safe? The do-not-disturb sign & keeping the TV on to pretend that there's human in the room doesn't work anymore.
Hi, it's linked in the description paragraph. Each video has a ton of links under each video so you do not have to wait for me to reply: Champagne crossbody bag: amzn.to/3NJ1ldv
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie What about their jackets? I was thinking I would put my valuables in the coat pockets as I go through the TSA line so I don't easily lose them.
The anti-theft device that hooks to the bra as well as the money, Are you able to walk through the airport scanner with those on or do you need to remove them?
Europe must be thaaaaaat bad. I've been living in Europe for over four decades. Indeed, there are plenty of pickpockets around. I like those bags to protect our personal belongings like passport money cards etc. Thank you!
Hi, Laurie. I've been following you for a while and hope you can settle come confusion I have over mixed messages I've received. Are peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwiches fine to be taken through Security/TSA? Or are they considered "liquid"? Thank you.
I always wear a cross body belt with all zippers towards Me. I can't stand when people hover closely to me and won't give me personal space to look at my money because they are attempting to know how much you Really have. It's intrusive; I have my denominations separated into envelopes/ 1's/5's/ 10/20's/. then change in my pockets. Don't ever expect them to have change for your 5/10/20 so if they say it's gonna be 9; agree and give them a ten and know that it's really a bonus and you could have negotiated
Trusting the hotel safe is the worst thing. They are less safe than something like a PacSafe bag or hiding youri tems. Sorry. I've seen many videos showing how to override these safes and some have hidden keyholes that people don't know. Do not use these safes although they may only be one step safer than your bag if it has a zipper. But beyond that they can be accessed as there is usually a master code which people can find online or find out how to open them. One thing I have done in the past is made a few copies of my passport. I don't carry my passport in all situations but i do at least have a copy if I am asked for one. While I have never been asked for one, this also acts as a way in case my passport does get stolen, to get a replacement as I can prove I had a passport. Dividing your cash, etc, is NOT anti-theft, it's more called being prepared for the instance of theft, not prevention. It prevents them from stealing your other cash you don't have with your or vice versa, but it's not preventing. The only thing it's preventing is you to lose everything you have that is valuable by splitting things up. Even if you don't have a pocket in your underwear or socks, you could probably put a card in your shoe below the sole, just don't take off your shoes and make sure they can't easily come off. Be advise this may damage your credit card if your shoes are not mostly flat. You could do the same for bills (maybe fold them out flat and then put your in-sole over them.
A note about caribiners. They are great but make sure they are the type that lock! I use the Nite-Ize S-clips with little tabs that secure the clip so it’s much harder for a thief to just thumb off.
While getting ready to leave our London hotel I frantically searched for my passport, until my sister reminded me that I had put it in my money belt. It was so comfortable I forgot I had it on!
I travel solo and with a backpack. It keeps me hands free and i stuff it with my purchases. I use a carabiner on the zippers so that when I'm in line it can not be unzipped easily.
Laurie, I so enjoy your videos. We are traveling to Ireland and Scotland in 44 days for an 18 day trip, but I’m not counting lol. First time to Europe and I’m struggling with what to bring due to weight/ luggage restrictions with the tour company. Then, the safety issue. This video could not have come at a better time. Thank you.
You will really love both places. Last time I was in Ireland during July, it was cold!! LOL, I felt very safe there and had no issues at all. Same in Scotland. And I was travelling alone.
I used both the undies and socks with hidden pockets years (decades) ago when I was travelling in SE Asia. I actually got robbed, beaten up and left for dead by the side of the dirt road through a jungle when I was in Indonesia. They got my purse and shopping and about 3/4 of my cash, but my passport and ID was in a ziploc in the underwear pocket and my credit cards were in the sock pocket. Most of the cash was in an inner vest pocket and they did steal that, so if my passport and ID had also been in there, I'd have been in even more serious trouble. This was before the days of smart phones, so they didn't get electronic information. I cannot agree more about how important it is to divide up your goodies in several locations, even if you think they are hidden.
that's really sad to hear. may i know in which city in indonesia? because im from indonesia, and i thought here is really safe even if you walked alone at midnight
Another note on money belts, carrying over from what you said about the bra clip - do not, I repeat, DO NOT go into it in a public place, no matter how sneaky you think you're being, because you never know who is watching. Take whatever payment method(s) you will need for the outing/day/however long you deem is appropriate for your situation, and put it in a hidden but easily accessible place when you're in private, such as a restroom or your private lodging (hotel, stateroom, air b'n'b, etc. - point is to do it in private, so a hostel room that's shared with strangers might not necessarily be the best place, depending on the situation). When we went to Europe 8 years ago (it was a big family trip, so my immediately family only planned a couple small things during the trip - the rest of our relatives planned the rest), my parents and older sister foisted the research process onto me and didn't really do any themselves, despite the fact that I was trying to finish up my junior year of college at the time, and it showed - I was as prepared as I could get without shirking all my schoolwork, whereas they did so many things that they shouldn't have because they didn't bother to research hardly anything themselves (one of the worst was their horrible insistence on keeping all the money (cash, cards, etc.) that was on their person in their money belts and going into those in public every time they bought something - they got really mad at me every time I told them not to; I kept my cards in my money belt (I didn't use cards to pay for anything, just cash - my parents covered our immediate family's larger expenses, like meals, tickets, etc.) and kept my cash in a small zippered wallet that I clipped to the key lanyard thing in my purse and kept inside my purse's small velcro interior pocket - I might have gone a little overboard by sticking it in the pocket as well, but I wanted to make sure no one would try to steal it). When traveling internationally, I kept my passport in my money belt and only took it off in public for going through security (don't know whether that would still be required for PreCheck or not, but I'm guessing it probably depends on the screening method - Laurie?) - I always put it on in private. I went to Rome 7 years ago, and the place we stayed the first week, our group and the monks and nuns who ran the guest houses where we stayed were the only people who had keys to them, so we were able to safely leave our passports in the house when we went out. The hotel we stayed at in Rome (first week was Norcia, second week was Rome) - Hotel Adriatic, if anyone's wondering - there were no key cards, only one physical key for each room (I'm sure the staff kept a backup for each as well, for the cleaning staff if no other reason), even if there were 4 people staying in a room; the only way to lock the door was with the key, and we had to turn the key in at the front desk if all the people in a room were leaving and the first person in the room to get back picked it back up from the front desk when he/she got back. With that setup, it was literally impossible for anyone who wasn't supposed to to get into the rooms, because we had to tell him our room number in order to get our keys back (we were there for a week, so by the end of it he knew which of us were in which room, so as soon as any of us came in, he grabbed us the right key(s) without us even having to ask). Because it was such high security (I know, really low tech, but it worked amazingly for keeping the rooms secure, better than some of the high tech options that are out there), I felt more than comfortable leaving my passport in the room (buried in the bottom of my suitcase, which was shoved out of sight under my bed, but still) - it was the only thing that I kept in my money belt on that trip, so I was able to forego it most of the time, a welcome relief after having to wear it everyday on the aforementioned Europe trip and it making me almost overheat every time (it was "breathable", but RFID material can only be made so breathable before it becomes no longer RFID).
Good but us usually one is required to carry passport with you when you are a foreigner in the country- you always need to have your ID on you if stopped for any reason!
Great video! I'd also add leave your expensive jewelry, large diamond rings, expensive watches or anything flashy at home or in a bank safety deposit box if you don't have a bolted done home safe ,so you don't call attention to yourself, o matter where you're traveling but especially in large U cities and in Europe where it's so common to use public transportation/trains. Excellent point about safekeeping belongings on the airplane - I never understood why people have such a false sense of security leaving their wallet I'd etc next to their unknown seat mates while they sleep or get you to use the restroom on the plane. Happy travels to all! 🌞
Great tips! Most cities I travel to (since 2020) the businesses are contactless/credit card payment …I exchange my currency prior to my trip b/c it’s less stress if atm’s arent conveniently available to the hotel/airbnb. Also, I make certain to have small bills in the local currency for taxi or porter tips. However, with Uber/Lyft apps and cashless businesses, I have tipped primarily in the apps and subsequently have only used apple pay and minimally required local currency. … but not all countries are the same.
@@viktoriapettypiece5953Good to know! Definitely, ALWAYS research local customs and expectations regarding etiquette, local tipping, and shopping practices (and prepare accordingly, if possible). Especially, research local regulations regarding licensed taxi/cabs - even in major cities with Lyft/Uber access, there are several “unlicensed” cash-only taxi/cabs that prey upon tourists and take longer routes to destinations to charge more than the standard rates (or worse) - as a solo traveler, I am very vigilant of only taking licensed taxis (or Lyfts/Ubers) or arranging my airport/train station transportion prior to my departure. (Also, I recommend listening to foreign language app tutorials for overseas destinations.) Some popular restaurants in the US are cash only as well (know before ya go). 🎉
One more tip. I have a lanyard attached to my phone. I keep my phone lanyard strap around my wrist so that when I'm using my phone it wouldn't be easy for someone to grab it out of my hand. Also prevents dropping the phone. That way my phone is attached to me.
