Question

Feeling stressed Today someone broke into my house , it was a mess when I walked in after bringing my Kids to school ! All of the money I have been saving was taken including my tips from all week , challenges and sinking funds . I had them stashed in a good spot idk how it was found but it was . I need advice on what to do with my cash envelopes so this NEVRR happens again. Safe? Lock box? Should I deposit it all and not keep any cash anymore ? It’s just scary.  

Answer 1

Prob was someone who knows you. Keep a safe (a heavy one) in and inconspicuous place. Like in the basement by the furnace. keep most of your cash in the bank though.  

Answer 2

First off, I am so sorry this happened to you. If you can manage cashless for a while, that’s probably what I would do. Otherwise, get a heavy safe and bolt it to the floor. You could also pull a Walter White and stash your cash some place like inside a plastic bag taped in an hvac return. Good luck to you!  

Answer 3

I store mine in the freezer inside a food box. Not only do thief’s not usually look for a snack but it’s fire proof. I have a saving at the bank but my cash on hand goes in the freezer.  

Answer 4

Cashless here. My house was robbed once and I would never feel comfortable with all my savings (sinking funds in cash). We do usually keep cash on hand in a safe for emergencies though

Answer 5

Oh wow, so sorry. I do have a safe that I put them in but a freezer, I will do that, I mean why would the robbers go in the freezer right.  

Comments

@martyrize my grandpa did that and they robbed him there one of the first places they look.  

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@martyrize have you seen Coyote Ugly? She puts hers in the freezer. I never thought of that before seeing the movie.  

Answer 6

That is exactly why I don’t use and keep much cash around. I use my debit card and track in a checkbook register. I have opened up additional savings accounts (free for my credit union and have named them to work for me and put the $ in there) also I earn a little interest . I work for a financial institution and hear this often. I am sorry hugs and glad you are all safe ❤️

Answer 7

I’m so sorry that happened my advice a box in the freezer or fridge like box of veggies or something or even tampon box it was probably someone who knew you if it was hidden well

Answer 8

Oh for sure if you have cash in your house have a safe if your house gets broken into or burns down you still have your cash

Answer 9

I’m so sorry! I only take cash out for what I am spending in the month (groceries, etc) and that goes with me. I keep my sinking and emergency funds in the bank and transfer them into an interest bearing savings account each paycheck.  

Answer 10

I carry cash for a week max, all challenges and sinking funds I calculate and for the next week I add that amount in the correct accounts and use the cash I saved as if I would withdraw, if for whatever reason I end up with extra I deposit it in the atm and transfer to correct account. We live in a not so great area so having cash at home is one thing I'm reluctant to. This unfortunately means a lot of transferring through my main account and 14 savings accounts I have under it but at least I can sleep at night. I'm even worrying for my macbook and tv so cash is an extra no for us unfortunately as just not want to risk.  

Answer 11

This is 100% why I never have felt comfortable with cash envelopes. I’m so sorry this happened to you. But agree with others - large amounts of cash belong in the bank. Not in your home or purse

Answer 12

My sinking funds I keep in a lock box and once I reach my goal I deposit into my savings and just notate how much I’m allowed to spend on a sheet I keep in my envelope

Answer 13

Sounds like it was someone you know. Security system, Ring doorbell front and back and be careful who you share the cash system with. So sorry!  

Comments

@removed My exact thoughts!  

Answer 14

That is awful. I’m glad you and kids weren’t home. I suggest banking your tips as soon as you can, then start writing your budget down in a small journal that fits in your purse. I used to do that when I bartended. Or, go electronic. Use an excel spreadsheet. Just keep your cash in the bank.  

Answer 15

I use the app Digit and set up electronic envelopes for my savings.  

Answer 16

We open up accounts at the bank for sinking funds. We only take out cash in what is needed at the time and is going to be spent so we don't have a ton of cash laying around the house. I'm so sorry that happened to you!  

Answer 17

I'd be really suspicious of someone (maybe you know? ) found them and they were in a good spot.  

Answer 18

I’m so sorry  

Answer 19

You could also get a safe that requires your fingerprint- pretty hard to break into at that point. So sorry

Answer 20

We have a small safe, bolted to the floor that stays locked.  

Comments

@marmoset me too

Answer 21

I track without having much cash on hand.  

Answer 22

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I appreciate all the tips I’m going to keep them all in mind and figure out what’s best for me and my family.  

Answer 23

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry Nicki. That is so horrible, praying that you can get some peace of mind after such a scary thing happening.  

Answer 24

I am so sorry about this. I was thinking about this very thing last night.  

Answer 25

I’m so sorry. And we have a safe that is bolted to the floor.  

Answer 26

This is why i stopped having cash envelopes and opened mulitple accounts because it scared me having all that cash

Answer 27

We use Ally for our sinking funds.  

Comments

@vick they have both

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@nitrate47 and no minimum you have to put in to begin with and it has to stay in there?  

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@laszlo7 nope! I like having at least a penny in each account, but they could sit there with nothing at all

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@nitrate47 my Bank, in order to have a savings account at all, I have to put $500 in and can’t touch it. This is great! We have an Ally in town! I may be changing backs soon!  

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@laszlo7 our credit Union requires $1 that cannot be touched. But I highly prefer Ally, as the credit union only allows 2 savings accounts

Answer 28

Seeeee this is why I won't do the cash thing! I'm sorry!  

Answer 29

That’s awful. We have a large gun safe that is bolted down. We keep ours in a fingerprint box inside the safe. Near impossible to get to and both are fire safe.  

Answer 30

If you’re spending money on any type fireproof safe. make sure it’s bolted to the floor or another stationary object. Fingerprint safes are great.  

Comments

@brinker I’d love to have one of those !  

Answer 31

Get a small safe deposit box at the bank for cash envelopes.  

Answer 32

This is the exact reason I’m not big on cash envelopes. I do everything electronically with having multiple bank accounts. If I want to ensure i spend a set amount and don’t go over i just withdraw the cash I need that day but I don’t keep it at home. I’m so sorry this happened to you  

Answer 33

We have a gun safe that we use for my husband gun and our cash.  

Comments

It is bolted in our closet.  

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@adelaidaadelaide513 that’s what my grown kiddos have done. Keep it in the big steel gun case.  

Answer 34

I started a couple free checking accounts with capital one for my sinking funds that aren’t used super frequently (presents and vacations so far). You can name them on their website and you get a debit card for them.  

Answer 35

Im so sorry! I track on every dollar rather than having cash. It's worked well for us so far x

Answer 36

I put my sinking funds back into my bank and track the amount on the back of the envelopes sonic know how much is in each envelope. It is just stored all together in my saving account. As for my spending envelopes I keep them in a small fire proof safe that is bolted down. I m sorry this happened. I only carry miscellaneous and personal envelopes on me. The rest sty home unless I need them that day. So if I do loose the money it is not much.  

Answer 37

I don't know if someone has said this before me. But if you had them hidden in a good place. who else knows where they were? If they found them could be someone you know  so sorry this happened

Answer 38

Gosh girl I am so sorry. People are just so rotten now a days!  

Answer 39

Sierra Martin we need to address this!  

Answer 40

I have anxiety and am always worrying. I didn’t need added stress of carrying cash or keeping it in our house, so I opened multiple sub-checking accounts for all my cash envelopes. Not only have I reduced my worry about the cash, but it has been soooo much easier when checking out and such. I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. I hope and pray that you receive a positive resolution in it all.  

Answer 41

I saw a news report on thieves that will even take bolted safes. I'm so sorry I would be so upset.  

Answer 42

We don’t keep ours in fear of this reason. We bank an hour away so we have several accounts. 1 savings acct for baby EF, 1 echecking (our bank does not have min transaction req in this so it is free) that we transfer all of our bills in weekly and don’t touch unless it’s a bill transaction and then another account for gas and on the go $. If the last account is low. we pay low. We track with every dollar app and it’s perfect for us.  

Answer 43

I am so sorry this happened to you My first reaction was  then . I would really think about who was aware that you were doing your sinking funds and such. I hope the police can find them.  

Comments

@sericeous5727 Hernandez police can’t do anything apparently!  

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@sericeous5727 Hernandez jo evidence no places that can get a fingerprint just no clue at all

Answer 44

Unfortunately the people who usually do this know what they are doing and know where to look. I would get an alarm system if you don't already have one with window censors, doorbell camera, etc. If they did it once and it's someone you know like mentioned above, they may do it again. Ring monitoring is only $100/year or like $10/mo if paid monthly