Ringo had a nice, a very nice article on the north coast thread about finding a wallet in the street and seeking to reconnect the owner with its rightful owner. Wow! Wish there were more people like that.
Obviously the best way to avoid such an incident is not to allow it to happen in the first place. So how do you protect your wallet and its contents from accidentally losing it, leaving it somewhere or having it stolen?
Originally I begin to address this question on my travels to foreign trips such as the DR, but now include much of the same behavior when I'm in my home town.
As for me, I start with eliminating much of the contents inside the wallet to a credit and debit card, some cash, some identification. When in the DR and other places, I safely store all my other cards and cash. Since all my ATM fees are paid for by my bank, I don't need to take out huge amounts . . . maybe 5,000 or 10,000 Dominican pesos at most and don't carry much more than 2000-3000 pesos with me at anytime. Taking out a limited amount from an ATM also keeps me from storing too much in my apartment.
Two times a year I purchase a new light-weight mesh wallet from a travel store. The wallet has some protection zippers and a Velcro opening. Most importantly, it has a fairly unnoticeable chain that I place through two loops of my pants and around my belt. The chain allows me to access the wallet . . . but not by much . . . which is okay with me. If I'm in a crowded place I'll move it to my front pocket.
Mentioning the front pocket, I usually carry a little leather credit card carrier in my front pocket with some fake credit cards sent to me in promotions along with a little cash. If someone were to try and rob me, I'd reach in that pocket and give them that wallet. Fortunately, never had to do that yet and even if I had to give up even my main wallet, it would be a limited loss. Only attempted robbery I've experienced with the wallet was when a group crowded around me in a Barcelona subway when it wasn't all that crowded. Fortunately I'd been warned about that trick and I realized they were working as a group as the doors closed, they didn't spread out and I felt pressure on my back pocket (should have had the wallet in my front pocket). So on that occasion I simply pretended to have an allergic reaction and started fake sneezing out loud while also spreading plenty of watery germs around me as everyone in the car including the thieves and non-thieves alike stared at me and my sudden sneezing attack. I pushed my way through the group while saying "Lo siento, lo siento" as if I were trying politely to protect them from my germs. Fortunately it worked, but just as a snub to the group (probably not a wise move, but sure fun), when I got to the other side of the car my sneezing amazingly subsided and I intentionally allowed them to see me move my wallet from my back pocket to the front pocket while I adjusted the chain tightly.
However, my biggest concern about losing my wallet is me. Accidentally dropping it or leaving it, especially since I've found a few gray hairs in my ears (as of earlier today thankfully eliminated until at least next Tuesday). The peace of mind that wallet provides me is well-deserved and well-earned over the years and now I only use that wallet.
So do any of you have any other ideas, suggestions, additions, improvements or whatever else in taking care of what's yours.
Obviously the best way to avoid such an incident is not to allow it to happen in the first place. So how do you protect your wallet and its contents from accidentally losing it, leaving it somewhere or having it stolen?
Originally I begin to address this question on my travels to foreign trips such as the DR, but now include much of the same behavior when I'm in my home town.
As for me, I start with eliminating much of the contents inside the wallet to a credit and debit card, some cash, some identification. When in the DR and other places, I safely store all my other cards and cash. Since all my ATM fees are paid for by my bank, I don't need to take out huge amounts . . . maybe 5,000 or 10,000 Dominican pesos at most and don't carry much more than 2000-3000 pesos with me at anytime. Taking out a limited amount from an ATM also keeps me from storing too much in my apartment.
Two times a year I purchase a new light-weight mesh wallet from a travel store. The wallet has some protection zippers and a Velcro opening. Most importantly, it has a fairly unnoticeable chain that I place through two loops of my pants and around my belt. The chain allows me to access the wallet . . . but not by much . . . which is okay with me. If I'm in a crowded place I'll move it to my front pocket.
Mentioning the front pocket, I usually carry a little leather credit card carrier in my front pocket with some fake credit cards sent to me in promotions along with a little cash. If someone were to try and rob me, I'd reach in that pocket and give them that wallet. Fortunately, never had to do that yet and even if I had to give up even my main wallet, it would be a limited loss. Only attempted robbery I've experienced with the wallet was when a group crowded around me in a Barcelona subway when it wasn't all that crowded. Fortunately I'd been warned about that trick and I realized they were working as a group as the doors closed, they didn't spread out and I felt pressure on my back pocket (should have had the wallet in my front pocket). So on that occasion I simply pretended to have an allergic reaction and started fake sneezing out loud while also spreading plenty of watery germs around me as everyone in the car including the thieves and non-thieves alike stared at me and my sudden sneezing attack. I pushed my way through the group while saying "Lo siento, lo siento" as if I were trying politely to protect them from my germs. Fortunately it worked, but just as a snub to the group (probably not a wise move, but sure fun), when I got to the other side of the car my sneezing amazingly subsided and I intentionally allowed them to see me move my wallet from my back pocket to the front pocket while I adjusted the chain tightly.
However, my biggest concern about losing my wallet is me. Accidentally dropping it or leaving it, especially since I've found a few gray hairs in my ears (as of earlier today thankfully eliminated until at least next Tuesday). The peace of mind that wallet provides me is well-deserved and well-earned over the years and now I only use that wallet.
So do any of you have any other ideas, suggestions, additions, improvements or whatever else in taking care of what's yours.