What To Do With Loose Change? 10 Ideas

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We all have it, and most of us don’t know what to do with it. Loose change. It seems like such a small thing, but it can add up over time.

So what should you do with it? Here are some ideas.

10 Things to Do With Loose Change

A jar of coins with piggy bank at the side_What To Do With Loose Change_10 ideas

1. Bring Your Coins to Coinstar

Coinstar is a machine that will count your coins and give you cash or gift cards in return.

This is an excellent option if you have a lot of extra coins that you need to get rid of quickly.

Just be aware that Coinstar does charge a fee for its services. However, this fee can often be avoided if you cash out for gift certificates.

2. Give It to Your Children

If you have young children, they will probably be more than happy to take your coins off your hands.

This is a great way to get rid of extra change while teaching your children about money and math. Plus, they’ll probably have fun counting and sorting the coins.

3. Save For a Rainy Day

If you don’t need the money right away, you can save your coins for a rainy day and slowly but surely build up a small emergency fund.

This is a neat way to save without having to think about it. Plus, it’s a lot more fun than just putting money into an account every month.

4. Roll Your Quarters and Deposit Them

If you have a lot of quarters, you can roll them and take them to your bank. Most banks will accept rolled coins without any issue.

If you do this repeatedly with your spare change, you will eventually have a sizable savings bank account over a year or more!

5. Donate Them

If you don’t want the coins and don’t need the money, you can always donate them to a charity of your choice – get rid of extra coins while helping out a worthy cause.

It doesn’t take much effort to make a difference, and it can add up over time.

6. Tip With Your Change

If you have a lot of coins and want to get rid of them quickly, you can always use them as tips. Plus it ensures that your coins are put to good use.

Just be aware that not everyone will be happy to receive change as a tip. However, if you’re polite about it and explain that you don’t have any paper currency, most people will understand.

7. Have a Day at the Arcade

If you have a lot of quarters, you can always use them to have a fun day at the arcade. This way, you can get rid of extra coins while having fun. Bring the kids along and make a day of it!

8. Pay For Gas

Gas prices seem to be constantly climbing. However, if you have a lot of change, you can use them to pay for gas. 

Just be aware that not all gas stations will accept coins over a certain amount, but it’s worth trying!

9. Use Them as Gifts

Change is always an excellent gift for kids and adults alike. If you have a lot of quarters, you can use them to give people gifts.

Get rid of extra coins while also giving someone a unique and thoughtful gift – win-win!

10. Create Noisy Cans to Deter Your Cats

If you have a lot of change and are tired of your cats knocking things over, you can use them to create “noisy” cans.

Simply take an empty can and fill it with coins. Tape the lid on tightly and place the can where you want to deter your cats from going. The noise will discourage them from entering the area.

Whether you’re looking to get rid of your loose change or find a creative way to use it, we’ve got you covered.

From saving them to donating them, there’s something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Start counting!

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About Emma Healey

Emma is a recognised family finance and budgeting expert and founder of Mum's Money. Her advice has been featured in Readers Digest, Yahoo Finance, Lifehacker, The Simple Dollar, MSN Money and more.