The last few years have been tough financially for most of us and it's not looking too good for the near future. Attitudes towards banks have changed, crime has risen and we are all looking for new ways to save a buck. We have put off getting "fluff" things that we don't really need, and even think twice about getting what we consider necessary. First and foremost, we are protecting what we have; hence, no second thoughts about the purchase of a good home safe. Safes have certainly risen higher on the list of necessities.

Charles Passy of Smart Money in his article entitled "More Americans Stashing Cash in Home Safes" writes:"In an era marked by financial turbulence, it's probably not surprising that safes have become a popular commodity, with some manufacturers, retailers and installers reporting sales increases of as much as 40 percent from a few years ago. ...Still, experts say that many savers and investors feel a lingering sense of insecurity in their finances - a hard-to-shake fear borne out of the jolting recession and, at times, wobbly recovery - which is helping to spur the new safeguarding mentality".

As well as protecting long guns, you can put other types of items in the safe to keep them safe.

In 2008, a Gallup poll indicated that 22 percent of Americans had low or no confidence in banks. By 2009 that total had risen to 29 percent, and 2010 peaked at 36 percent. There seems to be a trend here, and as the financial crisis continues, it will most likely continue to rise.

Mr. Passy cites the founder and CEO of a firm that researches investor psychology, Tyler D. Nunally, who says, "People dislike loss twice as much as they like gains. They want to protect what they have". Who can't relate to that? We work hard and want to enjoy the fruit of our labor. To have a thief (whether the corporate type or the "masked man") abscond with our possessions is now adding insult to injury. And according to Brent Lang, an investment manager also cited by Mr. Passy, the onslaught of identity theft "has made some people more eager to keep their assets in a form they can see and count. By acquiring one password, someone can wipe out all your digital wealth".

There is a tremendous array of safes on the market today - from small hideaway safes that tuck hidden away from sight to large pieces of furniture that must sit out in a room. There has even been a marked increase in the sales of vault doors as more and more homeowners consider building "safe rooms" to protect their family as well as their valuables. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to, quite literally, several thousands. But the price put on protection seems to put things in perspective for the cautious homeowner. We are no longer willing to risk losing what has taken a lifetime to obtain.

Versatility in safes has underground a drastic makeover. A far cry from the old black box, today's safes come in a variety of colors sure to match any interior. The interiors can be modified to hold valuables while also storing long guns. Velvet-lined jewelry drawers secure and protect valuable pieces. Fire protection, which in the past was considered an "option" or was only found in the higher end lines, is now standard on most manufacturer's models, whether at the entry level or at the high end. Essentially, one safe can meet several needs.

When all is said and done, it has become a necessity to own a good home safe. As long as this financial instability continues, we must make good financial decisions and investments. The purchase of a good, reliable home and fire safe is one of the best investments an individual can make against the mayhem and turmoil abounding in our world today.