Change Jars...

[Beanie]

I was reading on this board (not sure if it was this one or Tips) that someone kept a big coke bottle that they put their change in everyday...well, after reading it, I got to thinking that I have 10 or 15 coffee cans spread throughout the house that had change in them...I had 5 in the kitchen cupboard that were filled to the brim and pushed all the way in the back...there were 4 in my bedroom, 2 in the linen closet (DH is always throwing his change in those because he always empties his pockets in there), 2 in the Den and 2 in the computer room/office...I couldn't believe that I had so many that were all filled right up and I must have put it in the back of my mind because I really didn't even think about them until I read that post...

Anyway, I just got done counting and wrapping it all and I couldn't believe it when I added the total up and it was $422 dollars and some odd change!! :) I was so excited...It is going to be great to have this when we go to Disney in 2 weeks!! I am going to take some of it though and buy the kids some stuff to do on the plane before we leave though! :)

So, I just wanted to share my story here on the Budget board because I was thinking that this would be a great budget tip!! All that loose change that everyone just throws in drawers does add up!! :)

[DisneyFix]

Wow - what a nice surprise!!!! Happy spending!!!

[Barringer75]

Hi BeanieJumper!

We're planning on going in Sept and have a huge kid's crayon "Disney bank" for our change that we've been saving our change since the beginning of the year. We told the kids this is their souvenir bank. I can't wait to see how much we've got! (Maybe enough for Mommy & Daddy souvenirs too!)

[welovedis]

Good Job BeanieJumper!

We always save our change & are amazed at how quickly it adds up. Small cans around the house are the best idea, then we transfer everything to a large clear container so we can see it adding up. Once we are a few weeks away from the trip we will start counting & rolling...can't wait to see what it will add up to this time!

Have a great time on your trip!

[Debi]

Wow! Great job, Beanie! :)

[pats]

Wow...and to think i was excited about the $75 i got when i wrapped mine up last night !!!! Good job!! It is a great way to save without really even thinking about it.

[renessa]

I just wondered why everyone was counting and rolling. Was it for the feeling of accomplishment? My bank (Key) just takes all the unsorted coins in large containers (they ask for no glass for obvious reasons!) and dump them into a sorting/counting machine. It prints out an acurate report listing your total of pennies, nickles, dimes, and quarters. This happens in just a few seconds or minutes. The teller then hands you a receipt and asks you how you want it. There is no charge, and they only ask that you do not come in on Mon or Fri for busy reasons. I would also not go right before closing if you have tons of change (lucky ducks!!!)
Just an idea!

[BethR]

WOW Beanie! That is a GREAT total!!! Hope that you have fun spending it at WDW!
And renessa - that is very cool that your bank does that for no charge! I will have to call our bank and see if they offer this service.
There are Coinstar machines at a number of grocery stores in the area, but they charge a pretty good premium to cash in your coins. It would be great if our bank would do it at no charge...

[Beanie]

Renessa...That is great that your bank does that! Mine, however, does not...they have to be rolled into those wrappers before they take it...It doesn't bother me though, my kids have fun helping me (or trying to anyway!)

BethR...I am going to have LOTS of fun spending it!! LOL...World of Disney here I come!

Pats...$75 is a good total as well...:)

[Kermit]

Wow! That's a lot of change. Congratulations!

[Pete's Mom]

The Coinstar machines charge 10 cents for each dollar it counts!

That means it would have cost us $ 16.00 for the machine to count our $ 160.00! :mad:

Besides, as Goofy as it may sound (no pun intended) my 4 year old DS and I had a ball rolling all of it. Plus I really enjoyed listening to him dream about what he was going to spend it on!

[renessa]

I guess I really am lucky that my bank provides this service. I remember rolling coins as kids, for our "vacation" fund...Disney here we come. It did not bother me as a kid, and I had all of that time to dream and plan for vacation. Congratulations to all who are dedicated to saving in this way (or anyway)!!!

[DiznEeyore]

Here's another vote for rolling it yourself! There's nothing like watching those rolls add up! :D

[SandraC]

We started a change jar when we got back from WDW in April. We put our extra USF in it ($50.00) We forgot about the jar until this thread. I just started adding it the jar and counted it yesterday. It's up to $100.00 already! I can see how fast this is going to add up!

[DreadpiratK]

I know our bank will count it for free, but our kids have been anxious to count how much is in our jar for weeks. They will have a ball doing it, and get some practical math practice in the process. We keep ours in a big plastic pretzel barrel. My wife waitresses, and dumps all of her small tips in there, I have been putting all of my tips in as well, but they tend to be 20's and 50's. I've snuk (sp?) in a few big bills over the months, so the kids will have a suprise when they count it all up. With less than a month to go, we're scraping everything we can together to put in the jar

[Poohbear123]

I have a Pickle Jar with Pennie's in it, and a 2 Pound 4 Oz Plastic Jar with about 50.00 in Pennie's in it, and I save my Quarters in Mini-M&M containers, 30.00 so far. THAN I have my Clear Glass Snoopy Bank with dimes and nickles ONLY! Not full yet, but in another 2 weeks it will be! I am going in Nov. and Hope to have 300.00 for spending!;)

[hedgehogcs]

We just rolled up $477 last night! I'm sure the folks at the bank will just love us when we walk in!

[Poohbear123]

OK! Thanks to you ALL, I made my DH take me to Walgreens and get me a Auto-coin counter! :D He saw me struggling to count my 5,000 Pennies and decided to take me. Well, after 2 trips to Walgreens, I finally got a machine that worked. (The first one didn't and had to be returned). It's called the Money Mill and I got it for 15.00! Not too mention batteries and extra coin thingies! (26.00)! After using it for 30 min, I have 26.00 rolled! Enough to pay for the Machine and stuff!;) Anyway, I am taking a break to let you all know THANKS A BUNCH!:rolleyes:

[kbispels]

Leaving in 15 days and just wrapped 512 dollars from the change jar.:) :)

[Poohbear123]

I am now up to..................43.00! Would pay for ONE meal at a Buffett in Disney! (maybe):rolleyes:

[Poohbear123]

Up to 65.00! WOW! Got about 2,000 more pennies to GO!:D

[Beanie]

LOL Poohbear...I am anxiously awaiting the grand total!! :)

[Tamie]

I was the one who had the plastic coke jar. We dump our change out (it was completely filled) and we had saved $948. Our bank counts it for free. Our trip is in November, we started filling it up again. My DS (5) says that it is Mickey's money. He even went as far as putting his birthday money it in without being asked and his tooth fairy money it in. We generally take out the bills and keep them seperate, but it was so cute to see him to that without any prompting.

[dizneenut]

Good going Beanie!! I know you will enjoy EVERY minute of spending it!! ;) :D
I have also been saving all change. I will count and roll it as soon as its full.
I wish our bank would do it for free, but I do enjoy rolling it.

[Poohbear123]

Beaniejumper: No grand total yet, but I am up to 85.00! Hope to make at least 200 by next week! I just have nothing but penny's to count, but, its still money, right?:D

[Beanie]

Poohbear...$85.00 already!! That is great...Money is money to me, no matter if it is pennies or dollars!! LOL!! :) Keep countin'!!

[lvs_eeyore]

We just started saving our change last month. I counted it up and turned it in yesterday for our trip today and the grand total in one month was 73.00!!! That just paid for our Anniversary dinner at Ohanas tonight!!! Im sooooo excited. We leave in an hour!!!!

[Beanie]

Have a wonderful trip!! :)

[Poohbear123]

95.00! Have a LOT more Pennies to go! Have NO idea WHERE I am going to cash these in at, but its MONEY!;)

[adamak]

Does anyone know which bank/ any store who will exhange your changes for free (or min. fee?) Thos I ask says the changes must be rolled, but I don't want to waste money on a rolling machine.

[jh123]

ADAMAK,

IN NJ, I know Commerce Bank will count coins for free. I'm not sure if you have to have an account with them though.
Joan

[Beanie]

I wish we had a bank where I live that would!! That would be so much easier...I don't mind counting and rolling them up, sometimes it is fun with the kids too, but other times, I would like to just grab and go! LOL :)

[WorknFires]

I took 3 snack cans and removed the label, washed them really well and used clip art I found on everyone's posts and printed me new labels! One for quarters, one for nickels and dimes and the other for bills. I haven't finished rolling (plus I'm continuously adding) but last count, I had nearly $300. I'm gonna pay for my mom to have as many spa treatments on board the Wonder as I can afford!

Cheryl :bounce:

[Barringer75]

Hi adamak,

I'm here in New Jersey too, but my bank (Summit/Fleet one of the largest, too) doesn't have coin machines. I called my local branch and they told me that Valley National Bank in my town has a machine, doesn't charge, and you don't have to have an account there either. So I would call around. I don't have the patience to roll all my coins. Good luck!

[LoDivaLoca]

Hey Barringer75 - I'm in the same town as you! Welcome fellow Westfield-er! (Originally from Jersey City, so I don't count). Where's that Valley National Bank, so I know come November??? Thanks!!

[Poohbear123]

Adamak: Invest in the rolling machine! It is well worth it! Got mine at Walgreens for 15.00! It's alreday paid for itself!;) Now, the fun part, is finding someone to take it ALL off my hands for paper! Not too easy here in Miami!:rolleyes:

[Barringer75]

Hi LoDivaLoca!!

It IS a small world afterall (I just had to say that). Anyone, I was told that the bank is on Central Avenue on the south side of town. :)

[LoDivaLoca]

Hey Barringer - thanks! Yea, I live right off of Central, but Lords knows if I'm the south side or what?! (Not very good with these types of things! lol) But I do think I know where that bank is - I think it's right next to the Amoco. Thanks again!

[raammartin]

Wow, that is so great! We have a trip coming up in less than 3 weeks, wish I could be so lucky!

[Tiiiigergirl]

My dad saved his change in a large water cooler bottle. When it was all full and he counted it, it totaled over $3000!:bounce:

I do know that for the banks around here if you are depositing the money they will count it for you for free. There isn't a time limit in how long you have to keep the money in your account.;)

[Poohbear123]

Found out my Credit Union will count my Penny's for ME! YIPPEE! They can be wrapped or un-wrapped! I will be visiting them on Wed.! Will let you ALL know the total!;)

[Beanie]

Poohbear, I am looking forward to seeing how much you have at the end!!! :) It is a great feeling to know you have saved an incredible amount of money just through change scattered here and there! lol

[Bork]

We've started saving change for our last trip and I think we had around $80. We'll have to start counting again for our September trip. This is a great way to save money!

Our bank will only take the money in a large-mouth container. They will not accept rolled coins. There is no charge for counting, though.

[PoohBWV]

This thread has got me inspired! I just took one of our large water jugs and started hunting for change - I can't believe how much I found around the house. I'm going to grab DH's change from his pockets when he gets home tonite too!;)

[Beanie]

Hey PoohBWV!! Let us know how much you total!! I love to read what everyone has saved just buy their change!! :)

[Poohbear123]

I will be going next week! Due to my Dog Maxx being ill, I could not go this week! Hope next week will be better for me!:(

[dsneygirl]

I've been saving my change since last Nov, but it's for my wedding not WDW, even though I put it in a big WDW mug. AS of now i have over $900 and the wedding's not until June, woo-hoo!