If you’ve been saving coins for a while or if you have a lot of coins lying around, it’s a great idea to cash them in. Coins under beds, in jars, and between sofa cushions may be worth a lot more than you realize.

Coinstar
One of the most famous options is to take your change to a Coinstar machine. However, it is pretty pricey. For every $100, they will charge you $11. If that’s something you want to avoid, here are some alternative choices to help you cut down on that hefty Coinstar fee:

• Convert coins into gift cards – At no charge, Coinstar will allow you to trade in those coins for gift cards or eCertificates.
• Self Check out – You can actually take your change and use it in the self check out aisle at a place like Wal-Mart. It’s a great way to pay for stuff while getting the unwanted change off your hands.