It sounds like you're choosing to interpret "safe" far too narrowly. I understand for opsec you likely don't want to share the specifics, but if you have "all the benefits" of my safe, good for you, sounds like you've got a safe:
* Single location for things you've only got one of, or which are super valuable and small
* Not somewhere that a burglar would just immediately check (rules out places like "nightstand drawer")
It sounds like you're just bragging that you've saved $50 by not having a true lock on your thing. I'm guessing you're pretty sure you've hidden it so well that a lock isn't worth "bothering with." Good for you! Enjoy your safe regardless.
* Single location for things you've only got one of, or which are super valuable and small
* Not somewhere that a burglar would just immediately check (rules out places like "nightstand drawer")
It sounds like you're just bragging that you've saved $50 by not having a true lock on your thing. I'm guessing you're pretty sure you've hidden it so well that a lock isn't worth "bothering with." Good for you! Enjoy your safe regardless.