Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

  • Home
  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

13 Free Ways to Keep Thieves From Breaking In

March 10, 2026 · Personal finance
Car keys sitting in a decorative bowl on a hallway table.
Leaving car keys in a bowl on an entryway table makes them an easy target for thieves.

8. Relocate Your Car Keys Away from the Front Door

Many people have a habit of dropping their car keys, wallet, and purse in a bowl or on a hook immediately upon entering the front door. While convenient, this practice makes you vulnerable to “fishing.”

Some thieves use long wire hooks or magnets slipped through the mail slot or a slightly cracked side window to grab a set of keys. Once they have your car keys, they simply walk to the driveway and steal your vehicle. Break this habit by designating a secure drop zone further inside the house, completely out of sight from any external doors or windows.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • Illustration of a mountain valley town with houses, a clock tower, a wooden directional sign, and lupines at sunrise. 15 Scenic and Affordable Mountain Towns to Retire In
  • An older man with drafting tools overlooks a landscape labeled with ages 60, 70, and 80 along mountain ridges. 401(k) Mistakes Retirees in Their 80s Wish They'd Avoided
  • An older couple sits on the tailgate of a pickup truck holding mugs and overlooking a small valley town at sunset. 8 States Where $250,000 Is Enough for a Comfortable Retirement
  • A smiling senior man in a life jacket paddles a green kayak across a misty lake at sunrise near a wooden dock. 15 Affordable Retirement Towns Near Lakes and Rivers
  • A smiling older man walks a brown Labrador and a black-and-white border collie along a paved park path. 10 Side Gigs for Retirees Who Love Animals
  • Older adults smiling and passing food at an outdoor community dinner in front of a brick town hall at sunset. 11 Affordable Retirement Towns With Active Social Calendars
  • Illustration of an older couple walking past kiosks for pharmacy care, public transit, and residential property savings. 11 Senior Discount Programs Launching or Expanding in 2027
  • Illustration of an open hand catching a gold coin beside a bank vault blueprint against a split city and night sky. 11 Windfalls Retirees Can Receive and How They Are Taxed
  • A senior Asian male baker in a flour-dusted apron arranges fresh sourdough loaves on a bakery counter. The 2027 Social Security Update That Benefits Some Working Retirees
  • A plant grows out of an open government envelope toward a sun reading Saver's Match $1,000 in a landscape. IRS Notices Are Going Out About a $1,000 Retirement Match – Are You Eligible?

Newsletter

Get retirement planning tips, savings strategies, and lifestyle insights delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

A thoughtful 68-year-old man sitting on his porch during golden hour, holding a warm mug.

Here’s the Average Social Security Benefit of 68-Year-Old Americans (How Do You Compare?)

Discover the average Social Security benefit for 68-year-olds in 2026, learn how delayed credits impact…

Read More →

5 Major Financial Decisions Most Retirees Wish They Could Change

Learn How To Make Money Doing the Things You Enjoy We cannot go back in…

Read More →

13 Key Money-Management Tips Every Retiree Should Know

Stay active Being active is essential for your health, no matter your age. Given that…

Read More →
An editorial gouache illustration showing a stylized Social Security card sliced at the top, revealing gold coins inside.

Could Social Security Taxes Change Again?

Discover the history of Social Security taxation, looming legislative changes ahead of the trust fund…

Read More →
An older woman practices balance therapy with a physical therapist in a bright, sunlit rehabilitation room.

8 Medicare Rules for Skilled Nursing Facility Stays

Learn the 8 essential Medicare rules for skilled nursing facility stays, including the 3-day rule,…

Read More →
An older couple plans their retirement at a sunny wooden table with maps.

10 Ways Retirees Supplement Their Pension Income

Discover ten actionable, practical strategies to supplement your pension income, from optimizing Social Security benefits…

Read More →
An editorial ink and watercolor illustration of an older adult standing before a giant calendar marked 65, symbolizing Medicare timing.

The Medicare Enrollment Mistake That Triggers a Lifetime Penalty

Learn how avoiding key Medicare enrollment mistakes protects you from a lifetime surcharge on Part…

Read More →
A senior woman sits at a wooden dining table reviewing a monthly checking statement alongside a notebook and coffee mug.

5 States With Extra Payments on Top of Federal Benefits

Discover 5 states offering extra monthly payments on top of federal benefits for seniors, including…

Read More →

10 Mistakes That Reduce Your Social Security Payments

8. Owing taxes or child support If you’ve avoided taxes or child support obligations over…

Read More →
Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@retiredinamerica.com

Trust & Legal

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertiser Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in America. All rights reserved.