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!

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!

 

[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! 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!

 

[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)