Protecting Your Green

By green, I mean what you might call your cashola, mula, peso, mark, deniro, bread…or just money.

I have a few, possibly contradictory philosophies about protecting one’s money. But hear me out.

First and foremost, never, ever fight a burglar, mugger, robber or home invader over money. If some whacko wants your dough, give it to him. I recommend keeping “chump change” on your person, or even at home, which you can easily hand over in the event of a violent demand. Toss it in one direction and run screaming in the other.

Keeping money under a mattress is generally not a good idea. Criminals flip over mattresses and slice them with knives. Often, criminals target a victim who they know has a mattress stuffed with cash, because the target told the wrong person about the mattress’s contents, and that person turned rat for a cut of the loot. Mattresses are also flammable.

A safe deposit box is a good idea, but not entirely practical. It usually costs money to have one. A safe deposit box certainly has its value. It’s generally located in a fire-resistant area of a bank, and is protected by a key. But there are drawbacks. Ask your bank how much your box is insured for, if insurance is even available. Also, keep in mind that safe deposit boxes are often located below ground, in areas that may be prone to flooding.

Banks are the best option for storing your money. Keeping your money in a bank account is the safest, as far as your personal security is concerned. Banks do “go under,” and money has gone missing, like at banks in third world countries, but here in the United States, banks are FDIC insured. And while a total meltdown of the banking system can negatively affect your cash position, you should put your money in the bank.

A safe is great. A SentrySafe Big Bolt is better. If you keep money in the house, it is essential it be stored in a fire-resistant safe. Having money sitting in a drawer or stuffed into a wall makes it vulnerable to thieves and fires. The caveat is that you really shouldn’t keep an excessive amount of money in your home. But I definitely recommend having emergency cash around.

If something like a natural disaster or serious power outage were to hinder your ability to get cash from banks or ATMs, having a smart but not excessive reserve can get you out of a jam.

Robert Siciliano is a Personal and Home Security Expert for SentrySafe discussing Home Security on NBC Boston. Disclosures.