15 Reasons Why People Hid Cash in the Freezer—And Other DIY Banks
People got creative when they didn't trust the bank, and the freezer wasn't even the weirdest place they chose.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Before banking apps and high-tech safes, folks had to get a little crafty about where they stashed their savings. Some swore by the freezer, others picked places no one would ever expect. These 15 offbeat DIY banks show just how far people went to feel secure about their money.
1. Freezer Files
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Some folks wrapped bills in foil and tucked them behind the frozen peas. The food stayed cold and dry and looked just like leftovers. Thieves rarely checked the freezer, making it the perfect cold cash hideout.
2. Hollow Book Savings
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A carved-out book on the shelf held more than dusty pages. It blended with classics and cookbooks, giving your stash a literary disguise. It was the secret chapter banks never offered.
3. Under Pillow Principle
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Not just for the tooth fairy, many hid bills under their pillows for easy access. It was cozy, convenient, and gave “sleeping on your savings” a literal meaning. It was not the safest, but it was definitely within arm’s reach.
4. Buried Beneath the Begonias
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Some folks got clever and sealed cash in jars under indoor plants. It was hidden in plain sight, nestled between soil and ceramic pots. Unless someone was repotting, that money stayed safe and rooted.
5. Inside Old Shoes
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Shoes at the back of a closet made for a surprising storage spot. Cash was rolled up and stuffed into the toe like a financial footnote. Most burglars skipped the footwear aisle.
6. Stuffed in the Mattress
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It became a cliche for a reason; money in the mattress was real. Tucked between springs or under the lining, it added a bit of bounce to bedtime. The risk? Forgetting it during a mattress swap.
7. Pantry Jar Trick
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Some stored rolled bills in empty food jars in the pantry. The label read “lentils,” but inside was emergency cash. Unless you had a thief who liked legumes, your savings stayed sealed.
8. Hidden in the Linen Closet
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Money wrapped inside a towel or between sheets stayed untouched. It was soft, snug, and blended into laundry day. Unless you were Marie Kondo, you’d never spot it.
9. Sock Bank
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Rolled bills tucked inside old socks hid in the drawer like forgotten laundry. This was a budget-friendly vault that doubled as winter wear. Thieves probably skipped the sock check.
10. Back of the Cabinet
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People taped envelopes to the backs of cabinets, cereal boxes, or canned goods. It was simple, subtle, and stayed out of plain view. No one expected to find treasure near the tuna.
11. Tucked in the Basement
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Old boxes or toolkits in the basement often became unofficial safes. They were out of sight, dusty, and not exactly burglar-friendly. You just had to remember where you left them.
12. Behind a Loose Brick
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Some homes had a “magic” brick in the fireplace or wall. Pull it out and voila, cash tucked in a crevice. It was dramatic, dusty, and surprisingly effective.
13. Secret Attic Stash
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Attics were for more than photo albums and raccoons. A shoebox in the rafters kept money high, dry, and hidden. If you could brave the spiders, you could bank in peace.
14. Behind the Bathroom Sink
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Some removed the sink panel and hid envelopes behind the pipes. Moisture was a risk, but it beat the obvious hiding places. It turned plumbing into personal finance.
15. Inside the Toilet Tank
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Yes, this was a real thing. A watertight container inside the tank kept money safe and was very unlikely to be found. It was gross, clever, and oddly secure.