Yea the lockbox isn't exactly the most secure thing but i figured if someone tried to break it open it'd be blatantly obvious and that would stop them from doing it. I'm not even certain if he got it open or not. Money is pretty tight, and spending $25 was already more than i could afford. I've also been keeping my mom's medications in the lock box since she knows i won't take any.
As for the neighbor thing, the only neighbors we're slightly close to live next door but the mother is an alcoholic and the daughter was having drug problems of her own. Last i heard she'd emptied her mother's bank account to buy drugs. Possibly even less safe than my own home, lol.
I've hidden the box again, but in a way i should be able to get to it, but it isn't instantly visible. I think a good modern door lock would my best bet. I'd have to look into it.