Here’s How Much Cash Boomers and Gen Z Stash at Home in 2025
Written by
Crystal Mayer
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Kristen Mae
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Whether you have money hidden in your mattress or tucked away in your freezer, you are not alone. Many people keep at least a small amount of cash on hand for emergencies. However, just how much they keep outside of their bank often depends on their age. Younger adults tend to have slightly more money around the house compared to their older counterparts.
At GOBankingRates, we surveyed over 1,000 adults 18 and older about how much cash they keep at home. While over 63% of total survey respondents said they have less than $500 at a time, over half of young adults replied they keep at least that much. Read on to find out exactly how much money each age group has at home and how much is recommended.
How Much Cash Do People Keep at Home?
According to our survey, more than 63% of respondents said they keep less than $500 at a time. Women were more likely to stash smaller amounts of money compared to men. Just shy of 73% of women said they keep this reduced sum in their house, compared to nearly 54% of men.
How Much Cash Do 18- to 24-Year-Olds Have in Their Houses?
Of the age groups surveyed, younger adults, or those ages 18 to 24, were the most likely to keep more money at home. When asked, 39% of this Gen Z group said they kept less than $500 at a time. Over 22% reported keeping $501 to $1,000 in their house, and more than 19% said they have $1,001 to $2,000. Surprisingly, over 9% responded that they have $2,001 or more in cash at home.
Which Age Group Keeps the Lowest Amount of Cash on Hand?
Over 75% of respondents between the ages of 55 to 64 said they kept less than $500 in cash at home, making these older Gen Xers and young boomers the most likely to keep the least amount of money on hand. Boomers, in general, were more conservative with their cash stash compared to their younger counterparts. Although, about 14% of those 65 and older responded they keep between $501 and $1,000 in cash tucked away.
How Much Money Should You Have at Home?
While experts disagree about exactly how much money you should keep outside of your bank, they all seem to acknowledge that some on hand is a safe bet. Keeping cash in the house can save you in an emergency situation. Petty cash placed in a safe spot in your home can be used to pay the landscaper if you run out of checks or to buy Girl Scout cookies when your neighbor comes door to door.
More importantly, a cash emergency fund can be used when the banks are closed. For some, using cash can help them stay on budget because it is more tangible than a credit card. With a credit card, it can be challenging to keep track of spending. With cash, you can physically see the amount dwindle.
As reported by First Republic Bank, it is a good idea to have a few months’ worth of emergency cash saved up. The money can help you in the event of a job loss or during financial hardship. As far as the amount to keep on hand, the bank notes that having one to three days’ worth of cash in your wallet is a good idea in the event that your debit card is lost or stolen.
Where Should I Keep Cash in My House?
One reason people are often fearful of keeping large amounts of cash in their homes is the threat of robbery or ruin. In an instant, thousands of dollars can be gone with little to no recourse. Unlike a stolen credit card, it is very hard to receive back cash that is taken from your home.
First Republic Bank recommends keeping your cash in a “waterproof, fire-resistant safe.” The safe will provide some theft protection and it will reduce the chances of it getting ruined by flooding or fire. Along with cash, you should place all of your important documents in the safe including your passport, title to your home, marriage license and birth certificate.
Laura Bogart contributed to the reporting for this article.
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