Coinstar – A Great Way to Cash Coins FREE
Filed Under: Do It Yourself on May 11, 2010
Most people in the U.S. are probably familiar with the bright green Coinstar machines that seem to populate the front entrance of every large grocery or general goods store. They are easy coin-counting machines that you can dump your jar (or bag, basket, whatever) of coins into and have them counted and cashed out.
Normally, these machines charge a hefty near-10% fee (9.8% US, it’s different in Canada and the UK) for the service of counting your coins and printing a cashable receipt that you can take to the register. Here’s how to use the Coinstar machine to count your coins for free, without charge and without donating to a charity (which you can also do free of charge at most Coinstar machines).
Instead of taking a cashable receipt for your coins (which incurs the charge), opt for one of the gift cards (which are redeemed at full value) instead. Since you’re likely counting the coins in order to go buy something anyway, why not just get a gift card and keep that 9.8%? For me, that percentage can be anywhere from $3-$8 (we only cash coins when the jar is nearly full).
They offer gift cards to all kinds of places like Amazon, Lowes, Borders Books, and even Cabela’s. I shop at Amazon regularly and go to Lowe’s when I have something I can’t get at the local hardware stores here in town and the next town over.
So the next time you consider spending an afternoon rolling coins (using rolls you no doubt had to buy), why not use Coinstar instead? Might as well. Those gift cards make great presents to family and friends too and cost only a postage stamp to mail. High school graduations are coming up, you know. :)
