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Where are some smart places to keep cash in at home?  

post #1 of 77
Thread Starter 
Does anyone have any good hiding spots for keeping cash at home? Do you write the location down anywhere so you don't forget? Where do you think burglars wouldn't find it?

Please, DON'T share the one you actually use! You never know who could be reading here.
post #2 of 77
i used to do this until i became a mom and began forgetting all my hiding spots.

we do have a small safe that we use for my husbands comics and coins.
post #3 of 77
In general, think high and low. Most of the time when your house gets robbed (by a stranger, if it's your own family/friends this is different) they want to get in and out QUICK with the stuff that gets them the most money. My house was robbed 3 years ago and it was NOT like it is on TV - the place wasn't ransacked. They came in, took the xbox, the DVDs (but not CDs which were right next to the DVDs), the jewelry from the box on the nightstand, my laptop (in it's case by the desk), and soap & razor blades from the bathroom closet. That was it. Wherever you end up hiding it, pick a place that’s below your knees or above your head. At the time I had my nice jewelry in a suitcase in the top of my closet and they never even looked there. (I no longer keep my jewelry in suitcases OR suitcases in the closet, so no worries about lurking robbers )
post #4 of 77
Well, I vote bolted-down safe. But I don't have one of those (nor do I think my lease allows me to install one) soooo...

I would probably put something that I don't use often in the back of our storage closet, that you would need a good while to get to (it's PACKED in there) in a nondescript box or with old photos. Most people would open the door and go, nah, it's not worth it.
post #5 of 77
ok, let me think, this should be fun. Let me just say that I don't think it's nessesarily a good idea to keep large amounts of money in your home. But, for a little stash....

1. In a ziplock bag taped to the inside of your of your fireplace above the door or window. This is only if you don't use your fireplace of course! and make sure everyone else in the house knows not to use it either!

2. In several layers of well sealer plastic bags at the bottom of potted plants burried in the dirt. Put it up against the side so it doesnt' obstruct the water flow and so it can't be seen from the drainage holes. Deep enough that it won't uproot when the dirt settles as watered. Make sure it isn't a plant pot that would be throw out of the way and broken during a robbery.

3. put it in a box of tampons and reseal the box.

4. If you DON'T have cats: buy a litter box, fill it with litter, put the money at the bottom under a thin piece of hard plastic or cardboard. Throw in some water to create some clumps in the litter to make it look like the kitty has been using it.

5. outside in a birdhouse that isn't likely to be bothered by neighborhood kids or the like. Bag the money put it in the bottom, cover it with some straw or hay then tack a piece of plastic to the inside of the hole (covering it) so birds can't peck their way in. I know, mean but, just make sure to put up a couple real birds houses to make it up to them. Keep the bird house up high and out of reach just in case.

**DON'T put it anywhere in a bedroom, behind/inside photo frames or paintings, in books, appliances, cans or jars, toilet tanks, CD or DVD cases, in shoes or shoe boxes, or under/in garbage cans (robbers often steal trash cans to later sort for documents, bank statements, etc).
post #6 of 77
The litter box idea is fantastic! lol I never would have thought of that.
post #7 of 77
What's wrong with a bank?
post #8 of 77
I know someone who puts valuable items into pockets of old coats in the back of the closet. She told me about this in case something ever happened to her I could find things.
post #9 of 77
Oh, no you're giving all the hiding places away
post #10 of 77
You can cut a small hole in the drywall and screw a fake switchplate, vent, or socket in it's place and store valuables in a box there. Burglers think it is the real thing and also, you need a screwdriver to get to it.
post #11 of 77
In the freezer. If your house burns it will survive.
post #12 of 77
Before you try any of the suggestions I'd check with your homeowner's/renter's insurance. Most have limits on how much cash they'll cover in the event something happens to your home/rental/etc.
post #13 of 77
As far as insurance, the maximum paid by insurance policies for cash lost for whatever reason (fire, theft, flood, etc) in your home is $200.
post #14 of 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctdoula View Post
In the freezer. If your house burns it will survive.
yep.

or a fire proof safe in the way back/bottom of a closet.

your house is probably equally likely to have a fire, and you can't really outsmart a fire, so I'd be more concerned with that.
post #15 of 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctdoula View Post
In the freezer. If your house burns it will survive.
Done that before-- you know, when I actually had cash

Also, a tiny fire proof box in the floor vent. You'd need a screwdriver to get to that, too.

This thread has me thinking that I only have about $5 in cash in my purse, the rest is in the bank... Don't know which is worse at this point
post #16 of 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by angelcollector1 View Post
As far as insurance, the maximum paid by insurance policies for cash lost for whatever reason (fire, theft, flood, etc) in your home is $200.
Each policy is different. Our policy will cover up to $500 cash and up to $500 precious metals. We don't have more than that. If we did need to keep more in our house, I know it's fairly easy to get a rider attached to our policy for specific coverage for an item/items.
post #17 of 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by lucyem View Post
I know someone who puts valuable items into pockets of old coats in the back of the closet. She told me about this in case something ever happened to her I could find things.
This is unrelated, but your post reminded me of this and it makes me smile. I had a roommate once who found money in the pocket of a jacket she hadn't worn in a while (just $20 I think). Well...everybody loves finding cash they didn't know they had! So she decided to leave it in the pocket so she could find it again in the future.

Back on topic:
I've seen false cleaning supply containers (like Ajax) that are really safes (seen candles like that too). Of course...you then have to make sure the item is kept where it would be if it was what it appeared to be (so Ajax under the sink in the bathroom, not hidden in your closet).
post #18 of 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fujiko View Post
Well, I vote bolted-down safe. But I don't have one of those (nor do I think my lease allows me to install one) soooo...
That's where we keep ours.

For laughs - DH's grandpa used to roll his cash in aluminum foil and stick it in the freezer. When DH told me this, I rolled onto the floor and nearly peed my pants. I do not recommend keeping your cash this way.

H HA HA, I just read the other posts and realized people do this. Sorry...
post #19 of 77
I think you should store your cash in MY home. J/k
post #20 of 77
I thought I was really clever putting things in tampon boxes, and then I read an article saying burglers look in tampon boxes (and clothing in the closet) because a lot of people do that.

I love the litterbox idea, though. Maybe you'd want to put ammonia in it if you were going to be gone for a long time, though, to discourage any exploration. I would think if it didn't smell they would just kick it over to check.
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