I asked my brother about the possibility/odds of him swapping some of the cash for gold since it's an OKAY inflation hedge, but we seemed to think he wouldn't want to go through the process of buying gold. He's a very smart, but simple man.

I'll look into a floor safe? Didn't know those were a thing. I googled fireproof flat safes and saw a few but didn't think they'd be discreet enough for his current hiding place.