• Discounts and special offers
  • Subscriber-only articles and interviews
  • Breaking news and trending topics

Already a subscriber?

By signing up, you accept Moneywise's Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

Not interested ?

Why you risk losing money by storing it in the sofa

While you might have concerns about fraudsters accessing your bank account and siphoning funds from your savings — there are plenty of risks in leaving bundles of cash at home as well.

Experts note that your valuables could get stolen, destroyed by a disaster, like a fire, or even pocketed or misused by a family member. Plus, you could lose out on potential wealth-building opportunities by not investing this money and benefiting from compound interest growth.

“The lost interest — it probably would have been double, just by having it in the bank all these years versus having it in the bottom of a closet,” said Patrick Simasko, an estate lawyer in Mount Clemens, Michigan, who once uncovered nearly half a million dollars in cash and gold in the home of an older client who had hired him to execute her estate.

Some professionals say they often see this cash hoarding behavior among baby boomers and the silent generation — particularly those who grew up during the Great Depression and the bank failures of the 1930s.

However, Mark Criner III, senior trust strategist for Baird Trust in Scottsdale, Arizona, noted that some folks from certain minority communities are prone to this practice as well.

“That’s borne of minorities’ lack of access to these institutions for decades, and even when there was access, there was a lot of abuse,” Crimer told the NYT. “They weren’t always treated fairly or dealt with honestly.”

This 2 minute move could knock $500/year off your car insurance in 2024

Saving money on car insurance with BestMoney is a simple way to reduce your expenses. You’ll often get the same, or even better, insurance for less than what you’re paying right now.

There’s no reason not to at least try this free service. Check out BestMoney today, and take a turn in the right direction.

Get Started

Problems for your loved ones after you pass

Volpe isn’t the only one who’s nearly lost an inheritance to the trash bin due to a dead relative’s secrecy — Susan Camp told the NYT she and her brother unknowingly tossed $5,000 in cash their deceased father had packaged in aluminum foil and stored in the freezer (they later retrieved it).

She also found another $6,000 in a box for cologne.

Experts say hiding your valuables at home and failing to keep records of ownership or through a detailed will can create problems for your loved ones after you’re gone. Your heirs might never find your stashed funds — or there can be conflict over who is entitled to what.

“It’s just messy, it’s unofficial and it can lead to accounting nightmares,” Criner said.

It’s important to make financial plans for the long term — including for what happens after you’re gone. Try to ease the inheritance process for your loved ones who will likely be grappling with their grief as well by writing up (and regularly updating) a clear and comprehensive will.

In some cases, folks facing cognitive decline, like with Alzheimer’s or dementia, may start experiencing paranoia and exhibiting cash hoarding tendencies. Experts recommend appointing a financial power of attorney who can take over financial decisions making when you’re not able as well.

Sponsored

Invest in real estate without the headache of being a landlord

Imagine owning a portfolio of thousands of well-managed single family rentals or a collection of cutting-edge industrial warehouses. You can now gain access to a $1B portfolio of income-producing real estate assets designed to deliver long-term growth from the comforts of your couch.

The best part? You don’t have to be a millionaire and can start investing in minutes.

Serah Louis is a reporter with Moneywise.com. She enjoys tackling topical personal finance issues for young people and women and covering the latest in financial news.

Disclaimer

The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.