At a certain point, you may realize that you’ve accumulated lots of coins merely need a more than convenient way to spend them. In that location are several means to alter your coins into cash for free or a low fee.

If your piggy bank or coin jar is filled, here are some options for elimination it.

Take your coins to a community depository financial institution or credit union

Telephone call your depository financial institution or credit marriage to come across if information technology offers gratuitous coin substitution.

“More than banks are actively seeking coin deposits to help meet demand in their branches and amid their retail customers that rely on coins to conduct transactions,” says Steve Kenneally, senior vice president of payments at the American Bankers Association.

Many big banks take phased out their coin-counting services in recent years, but the regional banks or credit unions that do offering coin exchange likely practice then at no price to customers. In that location may be a small fee for noncustomers to use the bank’s coin-counting services.

“Unlike banks have dissimilar coin acceptance policies,” Kenneally says. “Some take rolled coins and some accept loose coins to process through a coin-counting auto. If they have a car, loose coins are usually preferred.”

Roll your coins for easier spending

Rolling coins is a cost-effective way to make exchanging or spending them much easier. Many banks requite out coin wrappers for gratuitous, and cheap packs tin be institute in various sizes at dollar and office-supply stores and Amazon.

If yous take young children who are trying to larn math virtually, use the money wrappers as a real classroom. Between all the pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters you’ve nerveless, they can practice counting and begin to understand basic coin values.

If you’re still wary of rolling your own money or simply don’t have the patience (fourth dimension is money, after all), you could instead trounce out for a coin-sorting machine. Role-supply stores, Walmart and Amazon sell coin-sorting machines for $50 or less.

Check if local retailers allow for coin exchange

Many retailers offer self cheque-outs that take coins. Some gas stations, such as QuikTrip, likewise offer coin-exchange machines that yous tin can use to exchange coins for cash.

Some other businesses where coin-substitution services are commonly found:

  • Wawa
  • CVS
  • Hannaford
  • Kroger
  • Ralphs
  • Walmart
  • Meijer
  • Safeway
  • Winn-Dixie

Exist wary of potential fees

Many grocery stores have coin-counting machines, which are often located near checkouts. In that location’s typically a fee for the service that can amount to a few dollars. Coinstar, the most popular brand of these machines, charges an eleven.nine per centum service fee that may vary past location.

Coinstar too gives users the selection to exchange their coins for a gift carte with no fee attached. Some gift cards offered include Amazon, Starbucks and AMC Theatres merely the retailers featured vary past location.

Donations

When you choose to donate to one of Coinstar’s available organizations, every cent you put into the auto goes toward your donation. Coinstar’s list of charities includes:

  • World Wildlife Fund
  • United Way
  • UNICEF
  • The Humane Club of the United States
  • Feeding America
  • Children’southward Phenomenon Network Hospitals
  • American Cerise Cross
  • Make-A-Wish
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Charitable donations are tax-deductible, even in the form of spare change, so if you choose this option, hold on to your receipts.

Bottom line

Cashing in your spare coins can exist an easy way to treat yourself or contribute to an emergency fund.

To exchange coins for bills, attempt taking them to a local depository financial institution or retailer that offers coin-counting services. With some coin-counting machines, like Coinstar, you lot can as well exchange coins for gift cards for free or donate your spare change to charity. Don’t forget that coins can exist used for purchases, likewise — just roll them up and use them like you would bills.

–Freelance writer David McMillin contributed to a previous version of this commodity.