Invest To Conceal Cash: Strategies For Discreet Money Management

There are many ways to hide cash, from stashing it in household objects to opening offshore bank accounts. Here are some of the most common methods:

- Hiding cash in household objects: This could include books, toilet paper rolls, boxes of food or other products, fake plants, or wall fixtures.

- Using a bank: While a bank is an excellent place to hide money, most banks have withdrawal limits, which may not give you complete access to your funds when needed.

- Offshore bank accounts: Keeping money in countries with more lenient tax codes, such as the Cayman Islands, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the Isle of Man, is a notorious way to hide funds from governments.

- Irrevocable trusts: Setting up a trust for a loved one allows you to technically give up your property or investment while still being able to use it and avoid taxes on it.

- Precious metals: Investing in gold, metal, or platinum is thought to be a more secure long-term investment than traditional banking.

- Prepaid gift cards: Buying prepaid gift cards allows you to make purchases without declaring the funds for tax purposes.

In a fake electric outlet

Hiding your cash in a fake electrical outlet is a great way to keep your money concealed. Here are some steps and tips to help you create and use one effectively:

Creating a Fake Electrical Outlet:

• Purchase an inexpensive electrical outlet and an outlet cover plate with a screw. Try to match the colour with the outlets in your home.
• Use a screwdriver to remove the screws and separate the front and back pieces of the outlet.
• Cut or smash the back of the outlet to detach the front piece carefully.
• Trim any excess plastic and smooth out the edges using a grinding tool.
• Glue the front piece of the outlet to the back of the cover plate, ensuring the glue doesn't ooze out.
• Cut and glue thin magnets to the back of the cover plate for attachment to metal surfaces.
• Cut off the head of the screw and glue it into the hole on the cover plate for a realistic finish.

Using the Fake Electrical Outlet:

• Find a suitable metal surface to attach your fake outlet, such as a refrigerator or a toolbox.
• Keep the fake outlet within reach for easy access to your cash but ensure it's discreet.
• Consider placing something in the outlet, like an old phone charger, to make it seem functional and further conceal your hiding spot.
• Be cautious and avoid overfilling the outlet with cash or valuables, as space is limited.

Remember, while this method can be effective, there are also commercially available options for electrical outlet safes that you can purchase if you don't want to make your own.

Unused wall outlets

Hiding cash in unused wall outlets is a clever way to conceal your money. Here are some detailed tips and tricks to help you make the most of this sneaky hiding spot:

First, choose the right outlet. Look for an outlet that is unused and well out of the way. Ideally, it should be in a spot where people are unlikely to go looking, such as behind furniture or in a less frequently used room. If you have cable TV outlets that are no longer in use, these can be perfect for hiding cash.

Now, for the hiding part. You'll need to gain access to the inside of the outlet. Carefully unscrew the outlet from the wall, being mindful of any electrical safety precautions. Once you have removed the cover, you'll see the space inside where you can stash your cash. Cut a piece of cardboard to size so that it fits snugly inside the outlet, creating a secret compartment for your money. Place your cash inside, ensuring it's well concealed and won't fall out.

Finally, secure your hiding place. Screw the cover back onto the outlet, being careful not to overtighten it. Now, you have a secret stash of cash hidden in plain sight!

To make it even more discreet, you can try a few decorative tricks. Hang a small picture, mirror, or piece of art over the outlet to draw attention away from it. Alternatively, use a hinged cover that looks like a small painting or has an artistic design. You could also try painting the outlet cover to match the colour of the wall, helping it to blend in.

Remember, while this can be a clever hiding spot, it's important to be cautious. Always ensure your hiding place is safe and secure, and consider using multiple hiding spots for your cash, just in case.

Potted plants

Hiding cash in potted plants is a great option if you want to keep your money close at hand and want to avoid the traditional route of storing it in a bank. It is also a good way to ensure that others do not handle your hard-earned money.

To hide your money in potted plants, you will need a zip-top plastic bag, duct tape (optional), and a potted plant with a deep enough base to completely cover your money. Here are the steps you can follow:

• Place your money in the zip-top plastic bag. Before sealing the bag, press it flat to let any air escape, and then zip the top shut.
• Choose a potted plant with a deep enough base to accommodate your money.
• Dig a hole in the soil of the potted plant. Use a small shovel or your hands to create a hole deep enough to completely cover the money.
• Place the bag of money in the hole and cover it with the soil that was removed. Ensure that the bag is completely covered.
• If desired, create a map or record of your hiding place to avoid forgetting where you hid your money. Keep this information with other important documents so that it can be accessed if needed.

Additionally, you can use a cachepot, which is a decorative planter that sits inside the potted plant without the need for repotting. This allows you to hide your money in a more discreet and aesthetically pleasing way.

Dresser drawer or kitchen drawer

Hiding cash in a dresser drawer or kitchen drawer is a common tactic, but it is also a well-known hiding spot for thieves. If you want to hide cash in a drawer, you need to be sneaky about it.

Firstly, avoid the sock drawer at all costs. This is the most common place for people to hide cash and valuables, and thieves know it. They will make a beeline for the master bedroom and head straight for the sock drawer.

Instead, opt for an envelope and tape it to the underside of the drawer. This way, even if someone does go through your socks, they won't find the envelope. Just make sure you don't tape it to the bottom of the drawer with coins inside, as these can weigh it down and make noise when the drawer is opened or closed.

If you want to get even more creative, you can roll up your cash and slide it into the hollow tube of an aluminium foil or plastic wrap box. Then, place the tube back in the box and the box back in the drawer.

Medicine cabinet

Hiding cash in a medicine cabinet is a good idea because it is a place that thieves will not likely look. However, it is important to note that medicine cabinets are often subject to temperature and humidity changes, which can affect the potency of the cash. Therefore, it is recommended to keep cash in a cool, dry place.

• Inside a medicine bottle: Roll up some cash and place it inside an opaque pill bottle. Put the bottle back in the cabinet.
• Behind a framed picture: Install a framed picture on the door of the medicine cabinet. This works best for medicine cabinets built into the wall. Remove the door from the cabinet by unscrewing the hinges. Measure the space between the screws and the length and width of the cabinet door. Purchase a wooden picture frame that is approximately the same size as the door. Place a picture of your choice into the frame and mark the locations for hinge installation. Install the hinges and attach the framed picture to the medicine cabinet.
• Inside a hollow curtain rod: Since many curtain rods have detachable ends, this can be a good place to store cash. Take off the ends, roll up the cash, secure it with a rubber band, and place it inside the rod before screwing the cap back on.
• In a hollow book: Place cash inside a book and put it on a bookshelf. If you have a large collection of books, people are unlikely to find the cash. Just make sure you remember which book you put it in!
• In a drawer: Put cash in an envelope and tape it to the back or underside of a drawer.

Frequently asked questions