I’ve probably been to Mexico 25 or 30 times and have never gotten sick. But, I am careful what I eat and drink and where I eat and drink it.
We also never pack anything really valuable in checked bags but generally try to avoid checking bags altogether. We are returning from a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Checked bags included things we would have to replace – hiking boots and poles, clothes for colder weather and for hiking generally, as well as ShawWife’s art supplies. Electronic devices and all medicine and any jewelry in carry-ons. (We put valuable jewelry in a safe before we left).
I’m sure our kids do the same.
I don’t use money belts and carry very little money these days, but tend to distribute it. I don’t know how our kids protect their money when they travel, but when ShawD was in college, she had $75 and her iPhone picked from her purse in Las Vegas. She knew who did it, but the police didn’t do anything (even though I knew the location of the phone), so we advised her to just be thankful that nothing else happened. I imagine she is more careful about money (and keeping her purse zipped).