We Can Do Everything with Cash But There’s One Thing That’s Illegal to Do to Cash

(Tyler, Texas) - "Burning through cash" is a phrase we've heard a lot. It basically means you're wasting money on something. What you do with your money is your business but it's certainly better to save money then blow it, especially nowadays.

After seeing a commercial on TV, it got to thinking about everything you Can do with cash but also what's illegal to do to your cash. When you think about it, it makes sense that it's been deemed illegal. It's also pretty dumb to do to your hard earned money.

You're Breaking the Law Doing This to Your Cash

A while back, there was a commercial for the grocery store Aldi that showed the spokesperson standing outside of a store with a grill and lighter fluid. The spokesperson is burning money to show that shopping at another grocery store is like burning money. A cool analogy, for sure.

In the fine print at the bottom of the screen, it says "Please do not attempt - It's illegal and you might burn yourself." Sometimes, this print can be for comedic purposes. But seeing that fine print caused me to look up if burning money is actually illegal. Turns out, it is, and you can get into big trouble if caught doing it.

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Destroying Money is Illegal

If you go to Chapter 17, Section 331 in Mutilation of National Bank Obligations, you'll see the law about destroying or altering money (govinfo.gov):

Whoever mutilates, cuts, defaces, disfigures, or perforates, or unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, or Federal Reserve bank, or the Federal Reserve System, with intent to render such bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt unfit to be reissued, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

So yes, literally burning money can cost you a fine and/or jail time if caught doing it. Keep in mind, this is all based on if you have intentionally destroyed a bill. We've all had that moment where we accidently ripped a bill. That's not illegal and you won't get in trouble for it.

What to do With a Damaged Bill

You can take the damaged bill to your local bank and try to receive a replacement. Each bank has its own policies for doing this. You can also contact the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing directly for instructions on how to receive a replacement bill.

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