If you hold too much of your wealth in cash, you won't be able to keep pace with inflation, meaning your purchasing power will go down and it will be more difficult for you to achieve your goals. The reason the value of cash savings falls in real terms is inflation.
Inflation Creates Permanent Loss
Holding too much cash long-term can come at a high price. Inflation is defined by the Federal Reserve as "the increase in the prices of goods and services over time.”[1] For investors, inflation is a silent killer that, if unchecked, can permanently deteriorate their purchasing power.
Carry $100 to $300
“We would recommend between $100 to $300 of cash in your wallet, but also having a reserve of $1,000 or so in a safe at home,” Anderson says.
One of the biggest risks that individuals and business owners run by keeping cash at home is theft. Homeowner and renters' insurance plans don't typically have high limits for protecting the theft of cash, so you may only be able to recollect a couple hundred dollars of whatever emergency cash you had stashed away.
It's a good idea to keep a small sum of cash at home in case of an emergency. However, the bulk of your savings is better off in a savings account because of the deposit protections and interest-earning opportunities that financial institutions offer.
While it's perfectly OK to keep some cash at home, storing a large amount of funds in your house has two significant disadvantages: The money can be lost or stolen. Hiding cash under the mattress, behind a picture frame or anywhere in your house always carries the risk of it being misplaced, damaged or stolen.
Where to safely keep cash at home. Just like any other piece of paper, cash can get lost, wet or burned. Consider buying a fireproof and waterproof safe for your home. It's also useful for storing other valuables in your home such as jewelry and important personal documents.
You could lose it to fire or theft, or you could forget where you hid it. Jason Speciner, a certified financial planner at Financial Planning Fort Collins in Fort Collins, Colorado, advises keeping on hand only enough cash to cover about one week's worth of living expenses — and storing it in a fire-proof safe.
Most financial experts end up suggesting you need a cash stash equal to six months of expenses: If you need $5,000 to survive every month, save $30,000. Personal finance guru Suze Orman advises an eight-month emergency fund because that's about how long it takes the average person to find a job.
Carry an Anti-Theft bag
Anti-theft bags are built to be durable and cut-proof. An anti-theft bag or a durable money bag with lock will slow down and even deter crooks and pickpockets.
There are no rules which state how much cash you can have within your property, however there are some very good reasons why holding large amounts of cash at home is not a good idea.
Failure to report large cash transactions can often trigger federal investigations, leading to fines or even lengthy prison sentences. It all stems from U.S. law that requires forms to be submitted—both by financial institutions, as well as bank customers—each time a cash transaction in excess of $10,000 occurs.
Holding too much cash over the long term can be very detrimental. Because it's universally true that inflation erodes the true value of cash over time. It eats away at your purchasing power. But, still, some liquidity is needed and wanted.
“A lot of older people tend to do it – one reason is they believe it's safer than banks, while others do it for Centrelink purposes.”
Your attic is not likely to be visited by a burglar because they are usually hard to find and access. So, it is always a good idea to store valuables in attic storage containers. As an extra safety precaution make sure to mark them with labels like “winter clothes” or “old shoes” to throw a burglar off of your scent.
Based on our experience, here's a list of the most common places people hide their money and other valuables: Furniture, including mattresses and hidden nooks. Envelopes, both in desk drawers and stuffed under couch cushions. Purses and their contents, such as wallets, lipstick holders, and compact mirrors.
There are numerous places to hide valuables, said Dustin Fox, realtor and owner of Fox Homes. “Some common places for hiding valuables are behind wallpaper, inside couch and chair cushions, or behind loose bricks around fireplaces. People also like to hide valuables under steps, siding, and shingles.”
Reporting cash payments
A person must file Form 8300 if they receive cash of more than $10,000 from the same payer or agent: In one lump sum. In two or more related payments within 24 hours.
Having large amounts of cash is not illegal, but it can easily lead to trouble. Law enforcement officers can seize the cash and try to keep it by filing a forfeiture action, claiming that the cash is proceeds of illegal activity. And criminal charges for the federal crime of “structuring” are becoming more common.
Banks are required to report any single transactions involving the withdrawal of $10,000 or more in cash or cash equivalents, such as cashier's checks or money orders. This rule applies to lump-sum withdrawals or deposits and related payments that occur within 24 hours.
How much is too much? The general rule is to have three to six months' worth of living expenses (rent, utilities, food, car payments, etc.) saved up for emergencies, such as unexpected medical bills or immediate home or car repairs. The guidelines fluctuate depending on each individual's circumstance.
You can deposit as much as you need to, but your financial institution may be required to report your deposit to the federal government.
Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.
If you deposit over $10,000 in cash into your bank account, it requires special handling. The IRS requires banks and businesses to file Form 8300, the Currency Transaction Report, if they receive cash payments over $10,000. Depositing more than $10,000 will not result in immediate questioning from authorities, however.