In the US, its risky to have a lot of cash on you when driving, because if you are stopped for any reason (or no reason ) the police can confiscate it. I'm not sure exactly how common this is, but its more likely if the money is in small bills.

I read somewhere (in "Unintended Consequences") that if you put your money in a locked box bolted to the vehicle, you're ok cause they can't open it without a warrant. Is this true?

-- an innocent man (not@this.time), December 04, 1999

Answers

Do not worry about money! Get every thing you might need. Money after y2k will not be worth anything, you might as well leave it in the bank.. Money now is only paper, with nothing to back it up. There is no silver or gold, that paper is only paper! What you put back in supplies is you ace. Folks, we have been living in a world of make believe. In 1929 they still had gold and silver, we do not, I think it will bad, very bad this time. Unless you have trade produces you will be lossed.

-- ET (bneville@zebra.net), December 04, 1999.

Depends... if you are a visitor from a foreign country, the answer would be a little different. Also where you intend to travel would also be relevant to the ? I would prefer to use valid credit cards, traveler's checks and some cash but would be "selective" as to where I stored same. Areas where you would expect the authorities to be watching for illegal traffic would not be where I would be carrying a large amt of cash - particularly in large bills...common sense would say to avoid that combination.

-- @@@@ (none@this time.com), December 05, 1999.

I am an American, and caucasian, so that isn't a factor. There's no reason they'd bother me in particular. However, I am driving from Boston to Pennsylvannia, with a stop in New Jersey. New Germany as we call it is probably the worst place for this kind of thing.

Travellers checks etc. are risky too since I'd have to find somewhere to cash them - and in small bills - when I get to my rural destination. Considering what I've already heard about banks discouraging withdrawls and such that may not be possible.

I just want to know if its true that when they search your vehicle they can't open a locked container. If so, I have a toolbox I can bolt down behind the seat. If not, I might be better off hiding it amongst my stuff. They probably won't drag all my stuff out of the back of my truck for no reason. But I'd rather keep it where I can get to it easily.

-- an innocent man (not@this.time), December 05, 1999.

It will be money well spent if you get "You and the Police" by Boston T. Party of Javelin Press. In a nutshell, the less "access" you have to anything (cash, weapon) the less likely that it can be tied to you. Therefore, the locked box and/or trunk (that can't be opened from the indside) is a better bet than just sticking your money in the glove compartment.

-- alex (cognitiveone@yahoo.com), December 05, 1999.