Keeping some emergency cash at home is a smart move. It can be a lifesaver during a power outage or if you need to leave in a hurry. However, the first places you think to hide it—a sock drawer, under the mattress, or in a jewelry box—are the first places a burglar will look. These common spots are practically a welcome mat for thieves.
To truly protect your money, you need to think outside the box. The best hiding places are those that are overlooked, inconvenient, or disguised as something completely mundane. Here are eight genius places to stash cash that most burglars would walk right past.
Inside a Hollowed-Out Book
This is a classic for a reason, but it requires strategy. Don’t pick a famous novel or a book that looks valuable. The key is to choose the most boring book on your shelf. Think of an old textbook, a dated dictionary, or a dull technical manual.
A thief is looking for quick, high-value items. They don’t have time to flip through every book in your collection. Place your hollowed-out book among dozens of others. Its anonymity will be its greatest protection.
Taped to the Bottom of a Drawer
Burglars will pull out drawers and dump the contents. They rarely take the time to physically remove the entire drawer from the dresser. Use this to your advantage. Place your cash in an envelope and securely tape it to the underside of a heavy, hard-to-remove drawer.
The best choice is a bottom drawer in a child’s messy bedroom. This is one of the last places a burglar wants to spend their limited time. It’s inconvenient and unlikely to hold traditional valuables.
In a Fake Wall Outlet
You can purchase a diversion safe that looks exactly like a standard electrical outlet. These are easy to install and blend in perfectly with your home. A burglar scanning the walls for a safe will completely ignore something so ordinary. No one thinks to check the power outlets for valuables.
This is one of the most effective places to stash cash. It requires a specific tool to open. A thief operating on a tight schedule is not going to bother trying to pry open random electrical sockets.
Inside a Child’s Messy Toy Box
Thieves are looking for a quick and easy score. The last thing they want to do is dig through a chaotic bin of LEGOs, action figures, and stuffed animals. A child’s room, especially a messy one, is a fantastic deterrent. It’s visual noise and a frustrating timewaster for an intruder.
Place your cash in a small, non-descript container or bag. Then, bury it at the very bottom of the toy box. The sheer mess and inconvenience make it a surprisingly secure hiding spot.
Rolled Up in a Pair of Socks
The sock drawer itself is a terrible hiding spot. However, the socks themselves can be clever decoys. Roll up your bills tightly and slide them into an old, rolled-up pair of socks. Then, push that pair to the very back of the drawer, underneath all the others.
A burglar will likely dump the drawer’s contents and quickly sift through the pile. They are looking for jewelry or loose cash. They are unlikely to unroll every single pair of socks in their search.
Within a Container of Dry Goods
Your kitchen pantry offers a wealth of hiding opportunities. A burglar is focused on electronics, jewelry, and cash, not your food supply. Use an opaque container for something like rice, oats, or flour. Place your cash in a sealed bag and bury it deep inside.
You can also use an empty, cleaned-out container of a product you’ve finished. For example, an old coffee can or Pringles tube works perfectly. Just make sure it’s stored among other real food items to complete the disguise.
Inside a Fake PVC Pipe in the Basement
Your basement or utility closet is likely a maze of pipes and ducts. You can add one more to the mix. Purchase a short length of PVC pipe with a screw-on cap. Attach it to a wall or ceiling joist alongside other real pipes. It will look like a cleanout access point for your plumbing.
This is an advanced move, but it’s incredibly effective. A burglar will have no idea that one of the pipes is a hidden safe. It’s too mundane and industrial to draw any attention.
Behind a Loose Piece of Trim or Baseboard
This hiding spot requires a bit of DIY skill but is almost impossible to find by accident. Find a section of baseboard or door trim that can be carefully pried away. Carve out a small space in the drywall behind it. You can then stash your cash in the hollow space and replace the trim.
Unless the burglar starts tearing your house apart, this spot will remain hidden. It’s a discreet and secure location that is part of the home’s structure itself. It’s one of the best long-term places to stash cash.
Thinking Like a Thief to Protect Your Valuables
The key to securing your emergency cash is to avoid convenience. Any hiding spot that is easy for you to access is also easy for a burglar to find. The best places to stash cash are clever, disguised, and just a little bit inconvenient.
By thinking creatively, you can turn your entire home into a security asset. You can protect your hard-earned money from those who would take it. A little bit of planning goes a long way in keeping your valuables safe.
Do you have a clever hiding spot idea? Share your (vague!) tips in the comments below.
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The post 8 Genius Places To Stash Cash In Your House That Burglars Will Never Find appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
