Coinstar! Gotta love it.

[cbayer]

Coinstar, if you are not familiar, is a service where you dump all your change into a machine and get a voucher or gift certificate.

I just used one at the grocery store. We have been throwing change into a basket for awhile. I take the quarters out when I need them for laundry or things, but what to do with all that other change?

Well, I got $60. That's right, $60. Was able to use it at the store I was in and had no service charge.

It felt like my birthday!

[CurtEastPoint]

1. It is amazing how quickly it builds up. I will suggest...

that if you are a Credit Union member, they may have one w/o the surcharge. Mine does. Might want to check since Kroger I believe deducts 8%?? something like that. But like you said, it's free money!

[cbayer]

2. If you spend it in the store with the machine, there is no charge.

You can also get gift cards for a variety of places, including Amazon, iTunes and Starbucks - again at no charge. They only charge you if you want to get cash.

Also, you can donate it to a charity of your choice, which is really call.

And yes, it feels just like free money!

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I haven't seen one of these in my area

but I just roll all mine on a slow day----mindless work. Then I take it to the bank and deposit it.

I guess I'm just old-fashioned.

[cbayer]

4. If you go to their site, they will show you their locations.

But I agree that coin rolling can be somewhat therapeutic.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Well, I'll be danged.

There are a few in my area....and I haven't seen them because I don't shop at those stores, I suppose. Walmart and Giant Eagle. Walmart, I don't shop there for obvious reasons. Giant Eagle----the ultra-expensive grocery store. But it is good to know this is an option.

[cbayer]

6. Might be a great treat if you wanted something special from the Giant Eagle.

[quakerboy]

7. Heh. I gotcha beat

I had saved my change for a while, and went into my bank to change it in. started dumping it in the machine. Little while later, still dumping, the hopper is full, and the machine start beeping that bags need changed out.

I did mention that I had been saving change for a little while, right? The bank staff had me stand back while they removed the bags and replaced them, and then locked the machine back up. It started going again, and I finished up dumping coins in the hopper. And it stopped again, full bags. Replace em, and it starts up again.

$1741.53. That was one heavy backpack, by the way.

Not sure if this counts as procrastination paying off or not, since the money was already mine.

[cbayer]

8. Holey moley!!

How did you even carry it there.

Big congratulations! Hope you treated yourself to something nice.

[quakerboy]

9. We were

on our way to vacation in canada at the time. So it was handy to have money for things like food and entertainment. Actually, I still have several of their new polymer notes. Kinda cool.

That said, i did cheat a little. a few months before that, I noticed a guy bring in a bag of half dollar coins to the bank while I was waiting in line. I asked if I could get them, and I had just enough in my account that day to take out the full 500 dollar bag worth. I pulled out about 10 actual silver half dollars, and the rest went in the change bag. So really, I only collected about $1246 or so.

The backpack was heavy. about 70 lbs. which is not really that heavy, but its enough you notice it.

[cbayer]

10. Aha!! A catch.

Still, great job.

It just feels like free money to me.