by Heidi Labron

Created on: April 29, 2008   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

Stash your cash! This sounds like the name of an 80's game show, but I'm here to tell you that we all do it, so why not learn to put some of that cash in a safe place when you can't get to the bank. Whatever your reasons for keeping money around, there are innovative and creative places to hide it.

#1. Keep it in the freezer. If you wrap it first in a ziplock bag, the money won't get wet and you can wrap it in brown paper to look like a frozen steak, or just use an old bag that once held frozen peas. All at once, you're recycling and finding a unique place to put your money. Do you think anyone is going to steal a bag of frozen peas?

#2. Zip it into a throw pillow. Throw pillows with zippers can be a great spot for stashing a little cash. You can easily pull a little stuffing out of the pillow if it is too full and pop some bills in there and re-zip. Again, is anyone going to steal a throw pillow?

#3. Purchase a fake plastic outlet safe. Yes, they are still around and you can find them on Ebay. Those little plastic safes that look just like an electrical outlet are perfect for fooling a would-be thief. All you have to do is cut a small hole in your wall, place the little safe inside and then pop the cover on. It looks just like a wall outlet! Put this wall outlet safe in a spot where no one will try to use it as an actual outlet, such as behind a big piece of furniture or behind your bed.

#4. Clothing is not a great hiding place! I'd hesitate to hide money in books, old clothing or shoes. How many times have we heard stories of people buying old jackets in thrift shops and finding money in the pocket? My grandmother used to store money in books, but would always forget which books she put it in. She'd have to go through book after book to put together enough cash to go to the store. Years after her death, I'm sure there is still money in some of her old books.

#5. Your toilet tank is especially sneaky! Another great place to hide your money is in your toilet tank, although you MUST have a water-proof bag. Use a couple of ziplock bags and pop in some cash. Then, lift the lid on your toilet tank and place the money down one side or the other. No one is going to reach in there to see if you have money unless they are really desperate.

So if you are creative and think outside the box, you can find all kinds of places in your home to stash your cash!

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