Hide Your Cash in Style with This Under-$4 Gadget!

No one is immune to the possibility of a home break-in. Perhaps you’ve already had the unfortunate experience, wishing you had hidden your valuables better. Many of us tend to think it won’t happen to us, but the sad truth is, most people keep their cash and jewelry in predictable places like bedrooms, in cabinets, or drawers. These are precisely the first spots thieves target once they’ve broken into a home.

With limited time before they risk getting caught by a neighbor, the police being called, or any disturbance that might scare them off, burglars quickly search for the most valuable items. They look for cash and easily sellable items like family jewelry, computers, tablets, and gaming consoles. Some people may opt for a safe, but this often draws even more attention from thieves who are usually well-equipped to break them open. If you’re looking for a more discreet hiding spot, there are plenty of clever options available online at affordable prices.

For instance, you can find fake books designed to blend in on a bookshelf, plants with secret compartments in the pots, clocks that open to store personal items, pens capable of holding a bill or two, or even a fake USB charger that serves as a small storage box. There are many such diversion safes available, and one particularly clever item is a fake light bulb that hangs from the ceiling. It’s perfect for hiding small jewelry or a few rolled-up bills, and it’s surprisingly inexpensive—only $3.76 on Amazon and about $2 on other online marketplaces.

Realistically, burglars won’t bother to turn on the lights during the day, nor will they take the time to check if every light bulb in the house is working. This makes it an ideal hiding spot, though it does mean sacrificing one light fixture in a room like your living room or bedroom. Lastly, remember that if you are the victim of a burglary, you have 48 hours to report the crime to ensure you are covered by your insurance.