Keeping stored cash and valuables safe
Posted by thisbitterworld@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 35 comments
So I love in a relatively volatile country and we've been storing our cash and valuables at home for quite a few years. Last year we ran into an issue where when we dug out the cash some of it was eaten by termites and some had mold on it. Since then I bought a safe, encased it in a wall, with Styrofoam around the wall to keep it safer.
Yesterday I opened the safe and found that some of the silica gel packets I had stored in there were moist, meaning some moisture had seeped in.
I was looking for tips and ideas on how to make my money even safer. I was thinking of adding some anti-termite powder as well, but I don't know if it would work. I usually now store the money in plastic bags and seal them, would it be okay if I add 1 or 2 silica gel pouches in each plastic bag? Appreciate the advice and help.
Pamakarma48@reddit
Make sure your safe is both hidden and bolted down to the studs or a thief will just carry it away.
Reach_304@reddit
It’s buried underground apparently? If I understand OP’s comment
Pamakarma48@reddit
Oh, ok🙂
Reach_304@reddit
Apparently my reading comprehension was poor that day
HappyAnimalCracker@reddit
If it fits in your safe, you could try a mason jar with silica gel packets. Add way more of the packets than you think is called for. Or maybe a vacuum sealer or even mylar bags. Something that you can close up airtight.
saintsfan214@reddit
If the cash that your country’s Mint makes is able to survive being machine washed (Yes. It’s possible due to the legitimate US bills being able to being able to survive the washer) then have a way to wash your bills before vacuum sealing the cash after the bills are fully dried out.
Traditional-Leader54@reddit
Found the money launderer.
saintsfan214@reddit
If I was selling illegal items then yes that would count. If you test cash for everything then you’re going to be shocked to find out how dirty physical cash actually is due to being in the street where animals or humans piss, shit, or vomit there then cross onto the cash.
Traditional-Leader54@reddit
Launder has multiple meanings.
saintsfan214@reddit
If you’re washing cash then (1)it’s due to illegal activities or (2)it’s due to how physically dirty the cash is due to how much drug use, piss, shit, or vomit is on the cash and you don’t want that on your cash. That’s how I see washing cash works.
redduif@reddit
It's not necessarily moist seeping in but temp drop.
Especially if sealed, the moist can't be in the air anymore and condenses.
Open up and vent the safe/pelicase/anything sealed but not vacuum, regularly preferably in cooler times.
Eredani@reddit
I'm confused about the need for silica packets. If the money is dry and put in a dry ziploc, then that should protect it from moisture and termites. Double bag or foil as needed.
Or check out something like this:
https://www.masterlock.com/products/product/5900D
redduif@reddit
Drop in temperature compared to when sealing it up unless vacuum I guess.
Imagirl48@reddit
I put cash in PVC pipes, capped and sealed the ends to prevent moisture from getting in and buried mine in the back yard. Should I check it?
RangerTasty6993@reddit
Why not bottles and tape?
collector_of_gear@reddit
Ziploc bags
thisbitterworld@reddit (OP)
Is it okay if I drop in silica gel pouch along with cash in there or is there a chance it can damage the paper?
derickj2020@reddit
It shouldn't cause any damage. All it does is absorb moisture and remains neutral.
NorthernPrepz@reddit
I doubt it would damage, i don’t see how tbh.
kkinnison@reddit
get a better safe. otherwise seal the money in plastic with desiccant
wamih@reddit
As a collector living in a humid climate - I use these to help keep things from being environmentally damaged.
one-nut-juan@reddit
I used to live in a place with 90% humidity. When I was a kid our left over fireworks we’d wrap them in newspaper very tightly and put them in a box. Next year they were extremely fresh and would work perfectly. For whatever reason newspaper paper is great at keeping humidity out
Partyslayer@reddit
Store a moisture extractor with the cash. One of the big ones made for closets. Switch your packets out more frequently??
SgtPrepper@reddit
Your better off buying a vacuum sealer and using it to put everything prone to moisture damage in air-free plastic pouches.
2lros@reddit
you need to vacuum seal that currency with the silica packet
thisbitterworld@reddit (OP)
A lot of other people have suggested vacuum seals as well. I'll try and find a machine asap.
vlad1492@reddit
Consider double wrapping in aluminum foil before vacuum sealing.
Having salvaged paper cash after a fire I found the vacuum seal material glued the edges together and made for a hassle trying to peel it apart without damage. Also it supposedly cuts down on the smoke smell.
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
My parents, and I am not making this up, gathered cash into empty paint cans with talcum powder. It worked, but when they felt it was time to bring the money to the bank, the clouds of talcum powder dust were a bit embarrassing.
If you can find a vacuum sealer, the kind used for food, I'd do just what you suggested. Seal them up. I'd put the sealed bags in a plastic or metal box to discourage insects.
I'm assuming banks are absolutely not an option. But if there are larger sums involved, you start looking at international banking. It's more work - I know, I'm doing wire transfers every few months now and it's annoying - but it's what you do when local banks aren't stable in the long term.
27Believe@reddit
What about vacuum seal in Mylar bag ?
jorgeyo716@reddit
I've used sidewalk chalk to keep things dry.
Excellent_Coconut_81@reddit
It means your safe is not water-proof, probably not designed to be used in wet environment like cellar. If the doors were sealed, no moisture should get in, as long as seal doesn't wear.
Getting waterproof safe would make more sense.
Led_Zeppole_73@reddit
Sounds like a dehumidifier is in order.
Halo22B@reddit
If only there was some sort of valuable element, perhaps some sort of unreactive metal? Conversely some sort of digital money protected by cryptography would also be fit for your purpose....but of course those are just pipe dreams and none of them have a trillion dollar market cap..../s
thisbitterworld@reddit (OP)
I already have some money saved up in crypto but the issue is that the exchange rate you get for physical dollars here is very low, and the banks don't allow deposits of dollars above a few hundred without a lot of questioning. So saving it in a safe or something is the best option for me
----_____--_____----@reddit
Put it in a food container