You’ve probably seen it on TV and in movies 100 times before: a character trying to hide some cash throws it under a mattress.
But anyone breaking into your home looking for cash knows the mattress trick, making it a questionable place to hide money.
Of course, the best place for your money is in the bank — but if you’d like to keep some in your home, consider these less obvious, more secure hiding spots to reduce your money stress .
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1. A permanent, hidden safe
A safe could be a worthy investment if you plan to keep a lot of cash and other valuables in the home, but the safe should either be permanently bolted in place somewhere hidden — or weigh several hundred pounds.
An obvious-looking portable safe is simply too easy for thieves to run off with and figure out later.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Behind a drawer
Storing cash inside a kitchen or bedroom drawer is not the safest move. Anyone who breaks into your home will probably quickly sift through these looking for valuables.
However, putting cash in an envelope and taping it to the back or underside of the drawer (not in the drawer) can be a sneakier, more secure option.
3. Behind wall art or decor
Cash can also be stored in an envelope taped behind generic-looking art or something like a wall clock. Just make sure that the art or decor itself doesn’t look like something worth stealing.
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4. In the bookshelves
Some people store bills among the books in their bookshelves. However, if you want to avoid shaking out every book when you need to go retrieve the cash, consider investing in one of the fake book safes Amazon sells.
These appear to be normal books but open up to a locked box.
5. A box in a box
In most cases, anyone looking to rob your home is going to be moving quickly, so the more obstacles you can add to your cash hiding spots, the better.
Consider hiding cash in a box placed within a box of something that would look unappealing to crooks — like winter clothes or Christmas ornaments (really anything that doesn’t scream value).
6. Opaque food jars
Certain food jars placed in odd places may be obvious—as will the stereotypical cash-filled old coffee can. But if you have some opaque food jars and keep them in their expected homes in your pantry, they can be a great place to hide cash.
You can also purchase things like fake Coke cans online that can be used as small safes.
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Any hiding spot that would require a potential thief to sift through a lot of items adds a layer of safety. Cash folded up and placed in the pocket of a pair of slacks or a coat hung up among many in a closet is probably safe — as long as you can remember where it is.
8. Paint cans
If you’ve got a couple paint cans stored in a garage, this can be an excellent cash hiding spot as well. Fill an empty can with cash and place it inconspicuously behind others.
9. Under false bottom in dresser
Dresser drawers are not the safest bet when it comes to storing cash, but you can add extra layers of security — like a false bottom. Of course, you will need some handy skills to make this bottom look convincing.
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10. In a flashlight
Consider rolling up some cash and stashing it where the batteries are meant to go in a flashlight. Keep this in a closet or toolbox for added obstacles.
11. In picture frames
Cash can also be placed behind the photo in a picture frame. If you have a few framed photos in your house, consider laying cash flat behind the photo and then placing the frame’s back on.
12. Rolled up socks
Like storing cash in a jacket pocket in the closet, rolled-up socks make a good hiding spot because it’s unlikely a thief will waste time checking all the socks.
Fold up some cash in a pair and make sure the socks are placed among many others in a drawer.
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13. Under the couch
Under the mattress is a tired hiding spot (and one most people know about), but money placed within an envelope and taped under the couch is less likely to be found by anyone but the hider.
14. Behind a fake outlet
Amazon also sells faux outlets that look just like the real thing but lead to an attached safe that can be placed within your wall.
Would-be thieves probably won’t run through your home pulling outlets out of the walls, so this is a safe bet for hiding cash and other valuables.
15. In a disguised safe
Speaking of safes, we mentioned earlier that you probably want your in-home safe to be bolted in or extremely difficult to move — but if it looks nothing like a safe, that could work, too.
Amazon sells all sorts of diversion safes, from fake Coke cans to hairbrushes with bottoms that screw off, that are ideal for hiding rolled-up cash.
Bottom line
Ideally, you would keep most of your money in an FDIC-insured checking or savings account .
However, if you insist on having some in the home for emergencies, these spots aren’t foolproof, but they are a safer bet than under your mattress.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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