Last week I saw this post on Raymond Chen’s blog, which linked to two interviews with a former burglar. The first covered the best places to hide money, the latter covered the worst places to hide money. Which leads me to ask: are there actually people who have money in their house? If you broke into my house, best case you’d find a hundred dollars, and it would all be in my wallet and Stephanie’s purse. Usually we have even less cash than that on hand. I don’t know why you would need cash these days. I guess drug dealers only take cash, if you’re into that sort of thing. But even then, couldn’t you stop by the ATM on the way to the drug deal? Is there any other reason to keep large quantities of cash in your home?
P.S. I know that what is discussed here could apply to other small valuables (like jewelery), but in both interviews they are specifically talking about money.
August 11, 10:03 am
What’s cash?
August 11, 10:12 am
The only money I keep at home is also in my wallet. I think it’s mostly older people who keep large sums of money in their houses, stemming from distrust of banks (back in the depression era). I know my great-grandfather didn’t trust banks and always had lots of cash on him. It seemed like a stupid idea to me.
August 11, 2:54 pm
People who rely on tips for a living don’t have a choice about it unless they go to the bank multiple times a week. I rarely carry more than $40 on me because when I get robbed delivering pizzas, I don’t want to be out much. So, yes I do keep cash around the house - hopefully if someone breaks in it’ll be within a few days after a deposit. Also, like Jonah said, many old people (and polish people) just can’t feel safe without that wad of COH.
August 11, 6:28 pm
I have always used the concept of cold cash.... for years I kept money in the freezer.... my grandpa use to do that.... hehehe