++ Always keep a photocopy of the cards and IDs in your wallet. That way, if it's ever stolen, or lost, you'll not only know everything you lost, but also your ID numbers, as well as important numbers to call.

++ If you need to leave your car in an area where you think it might get stolen, remove some small but vital part like the fuse for the fuel pump.

++ Open a bank account, put a hundred dollars in it. Then put the atm card in a box somewhere. Having a hundred dollars that no one knows about could save your life.

++ Go to a shooting range and learn how to load and fire a pistol and a shotgun. Even if you are vehemently opposed to firearms, knowing how they work won't kill you. It will cost around 50 bucks to rent the guns and then buy some ammo.

++ If you or someone you know gets mugged, has their purse snatched, whatever, if you look around in dumpsters and trash cans within the next block or two you'll probably find the wallet/purse. It won't have any cash in it (and maybe not any credit cards), but at least you won't have to replace your driver's license, ID cards, library cards, whatever, which is 99% of the pain in the neck about being robbed (aside from the victimization thing).

++ I've heard that keeping a second, cheapo wallet with a few twenties in it is good for muggers. "Give me your wallet!" and you hand them the crappy wallet. Meanwhile, your good wallet with all the stuff and, in fact, most of your money is safe in some non-obvious spot.

++ If you're ever going through a bad neighborhood on a bus, don't sit in the back. You'll be more susceptible to robbery.


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