Best way to carry money?

[mrsanticafe]

I am from out of town which means I'll be spending a lot more money than people who actually live in San Jose. I know it's not safe to carry a lot of money and I'd like to spend a decent amount, but I've heard that at cons some panels only allow cash. Is that the same for here? What's the best way to carry money and how much? Someone told me they'd put it in their socks, but that sounds uncomfortable...and gross. D;

[SOawesomeness]

Panels? :0
Dealers... some dealers only want cash. There's ATMs, but there are charges with ATMs. I personally get a wallet with a chain, clip the chain on me somewhere, and then stick the wallet where it fits in my cosplay which usually ends up in my waist sash. I bring $200=$300 but I hecka regulate my money spending. I put half of my spending money in my room somewhere hidden so my roomies won't steal it... and the rest in the wallet. :)

[mrsanticafe]

Oops! I meant the dealers room in my first post, not panels. Thanks for the advice. I figured I'd carry some in my pocket.

[heeroyuy135]

Here's a tip: Only use cash for Dealers Room. For all other expenses (like food), use a debit/credit card. That should bring down the amount of cash to bring because the rest of it is on a debit/credit card for use probably outside the convention center for things like food and hotel.

[mrsanticafe]

I'm always afraid some places won't accept credit/debit cards. ;_;

[heeroyuy135]

Outside of the Dealers Room, most places (especially eating places in the hotels and outside the convention center) should accept credit/debit cards.

If anything, call around and ask.

[IamTetsuo]

The Marriot has a safe in every room.  I always keep my cash in there, only pulling out what I need when I need it.  Keeps spending down, as you have to think to yourself "do I really need this item?"   :D

[otakuapprentice]

for me, its a budget that keeps any excess spending(taking money out of my bank account that isnt for fanime)from happening. Last year, i didn't find a lot of stuff in the dealers' room that caught my eye, so that was another place that i saved money in.

[fr33lanc3r]

best way to keep money safe? spend it. i usually end up crying afterwards.

[phoenixphire24]

Most of the dealer's (especially ones that sell DVDs or other pricier items) take credit card. I only use cash for the Artist Alley; most of the artists are selling items that only cost a few dollars and take cash only. I plan to take out some money before I leave and just take what I need for each day. Keeping the rest in a safe is a good idea. If, for some reason, you need extra cash to pay for something in the dealer's room, I bet most of them would be happy to hold your item for like 20 min while you run and get extra from your room.

[redroses3164]

If you are cosplaying, add a hidden pocket somewhere that isn't difficult for you to get to but where someone won't expect it to be.

If you aren't cosplaying, there's those cool jackets and coats with inner pockets in them. You can put money there.

But definitely for outside expenses, just use a credit/debit card. It's more convenient.

[M]

Most of the dealer's (especially ones that sell DVDs or other pricier items) take credit card. I only use cash for the Artist Alley; most of the artists are selling items that only cost a few dollars and take cash only. I plan to take out some money before I leave and just take what I need for each day. Keeping the rest in a safe is a good idea. If, for some reason, you need extra cash to pay for something in the dealer's room, I bet most of them would be happy to hold your item for like 20 min while you run and get extra from your room.

Also, just so you know, most dealers that take credit/debit card charge extra for using a card (to make up for the processing fee).

[mrsanticafe]

best way to keep money safe? spend it. i usually end up crying afterwards.

Er. Do I really need to explain this? I won't be spending every waking minute. That means I have to figure out the best way to keep it safe until I do spend it. So, your advice does not help.

[Nyxyin]

For all other expenses (like food), use a debit/credit card.

Are you sure?  I didn't think the temporary makeshift hot dog, pizza, curry, and sushi carts/tables in the convention center would be equipped to take credit cards, so I didn't get any.

[Moonblossom]

best way to keep money safe? spend it. i usually end up crying afterwards.

Er. Do I really need to explain this? I won't be spending every waking minute. That means I have to figure out the best way to keep it safe until I do spend it. So, your advice does not help.

I think that post was made with tongue firmly in cheek, there's no need to be snippy. We're a silly bunch here, we crack a lot of jokes. :/

You can also look into getting one of those travel pouches that tuck under your clothing. I have one for my passport and $100 in emergency cash when I fly, they're quite handy and hard to get into.

[BrightHeart76]

The only time of year I don't carry a purse is fanime.  Too many people.  I don't want to tempt someone to try and grab it.  And I don't have a lot of cash at one time.  I figure it's worth a couple of dollars to me to go to the ATM and refresh my cash as needed thru the con (Goodness knows I'm not gonna walk around with a couple hundred dollars on me...that's just asking to get mugged by some fool dressed as a ninja.) 

I have a couple of pairs of pants with pockets in the front that zip...they are my favorite things at con, cause my money can't fall out, and no one in their right mind is going to try to pick my front pocket.

[kai]

It also might be safe (if you're bringing a lot of cash) to separate your money in different places. A couple of bills in your pocket, another in a bag, and the rest somewhere else. That way if one gets stolen, not all of it is gone.

[heeroyuy135]

For all other expenses (like food), use a debit/credit card.

Are you sure?  I didn't think the temporary makeshift hot dog, pizza, curry, and sushi carts/tables in the convention center would be equipped to take credit cards, so I didn't get any.

Odds are they won't, but most eating places outside the convention center should and will.

[neopootling]

if you attach keychains or straps or whatnot with jingling bells to your wallet or money pouch, you'll have a higher chance of hearing it should it ever drop out of your cosplay or otherwise removed from your body without your authority  ;D

-- story of heartwarming hope --
last con my DS pouch with my DS and all my games dropped out of my purse and i didnt even notice it.  some jolly fellow tapped me from behind, handed it to me and was like, "hey you dropped this."  i was so happy and thanked him like 10 billion times haha.

[Moonblossom]

-- story of heartwarming hope --
last con my DS pouch with my DS and all my games dropped out of my purse and i didnt even notice it.  some jolly fellow tapped me from behind, handed it to me and was like, "hey you dropped this."  i was so happy and thanked him like 10 billion times haha.

Aww, that's awesome :)

As for money storage, I found myself a purse with like, velcro and then a snap and then a zipper at a store the other day, if I wear it so the velcro/snap part is facing my body, it's virtually impossible to get into. It's also nice and small, so good for travel. Yay!