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5 Best Places to Turn Coins into Cash for Free: Where To Go
Need to turn your coins into cash? Turning coins into cash doesn’t have to be a hassle or come with…
- Written By: Jason Vitug
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Need to turn your coins into cash?
Turning coins into cash doesn’t have to be a hassle or come with hefty fees. Whether you’re looking for a nearby coin counting machine or alternatives to avoid fees, this guide has everything you need to know.
Before we dive into the best places for coin counting near you, answer these questions:
- Do you have a small piggy bank or a large water jug of coins?
- Are you willing to roll and wrap the coins yourself?
- Do you want your coins counted for you?
The right place to turn your coins into cash depends on your answers.
Whether you’re rolling your coins at home or using fee-free coin counters, these tips will help you make the most of your money.
Top Places for Coin Counting Machines Near You
Let’s dive into the best places to turn coins into cash for free and find local coin counters.
1. Banks and Credit Unions
Banks and credit unions are some of the best places to exchange coins for free, especially if you’re already a customer.
Some have coin counting machines available for customer use, while others may count the coins for you behind the teller line. While many more will require your coins to be wrapped.
Some banks:
- Wells Fargo: Customers can deposit coins directly into their accounts without fees.
- Chase Bank: Some branches provide coin-counting services for account holders. Contact your local branch to confirm.
- Bank of America: Accepts rolled coins from account holders; wrappers are often free.
- PNC: Customers can deposit coins into their account by visiting a branch.
- Capital One: You can deposit a small amount of loose change, but coins must be wrapped for larger amounts.
Some credit unions:
- Almost all credit unions with branches accept coins. Check with your local credit union for availability.
- Navy Federal and SchoolsFirst FCU, two of the largest credit unions, offer free coin counting for members.
- American Eagle CU and Westerra Credit Union are examples of credit unions that have coin counters for their members.
Many banks and credit unions accept loose coins for depositing into your account or exchanging them for cash. But remember that if you’re turning a 5-gallon water jug of coins into cash, it may not be counted immediately. They’ll need to run it through their coin counting machine first.
2. Retailers with Coinstar Machines
Coinstar is a self-service kiosk at many retailers that enables users to exchange loose coins for cash, gift cards, or charity donations.
These machines are widely available in:
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Walgreens
- CVS
While Coinstar charges an 11.9% fee for cash payouts, you can avoid fees by selecting an eGift card option for retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, or Lowe’s.
Examples of coin counting partnerships:
- Visions Federal Credit Union (serving NY, NJ, and PA) offers its members free use of Coinstar machines.
- Suncoast Credit Union in Florida has partnered with Coinstar to offer coin counting in its branch locations.
Pro Tip: Use the Coinstar website to locate machines near you. Find a Coinstar kiosk.
3. Community Banks and Regional Credit Unions
Smaller local banks and credit unions often provide free coin counting services as part of their perks.
Local financial institutions may accept your coins even if you’re not a customer, but it often comes with fees for doing so.
- Liberty Bank in Chicago offers free self-service for coins into cash machine.
- Truliant Federal Credit Union (NC) has self-service coin counting (in some locations) and accepts rolled wrapped coins.
- Louisiana Federal Credit Union offers coin counting without the hefty fees.
- Consumers Credit Union (Michigan) lets you deposit large amounts of coins, either rolled or loose, by bringing them into the office. The fee is 10% for non-members.
Pro Tip: Call ahead to verify services and policies.
4. QuikTrip Convenience Stores
Some QuikTrip locations allow customers to exchange coins for cash without fees, especially during coin shortages. Rolling your coins beforehand can help speed up the process.
5. Local Grocery Stores or Community Centers
Some grocery store chains and community centers have coin counting machines available (sometimes in partnership with Coinstar). While availability may vary, fees are often lower than Coinstar’s, and some locations offer the service for free.
- Safeway (18 states)
- Publix (Florida): Coin sorting machine will count all your coins and provide you with a receipt to redeem it for cash at the Customer Service counter.
- Stop & Shop (NYC Tri-state Area): Allows you to sort your coins and redeem them for purchase at the supermarket.
Don’t let your spare change go to waste or be drained by unnecessary fees. From banks and credit unions to Coinstar alternatives, there are plenty of options to turn your coins into cash for free.
Alternatives to Free Coin Counting Machines Near Me
If you can’t find coin counting machines nearby, consider these options:
1. Roll Them at Home
- Save on Fees: Banks often accept rolled coins without charging fees.
- Get Free Wrappers: Many banks provide free coin wrappers upon request. You can also get wrappers at the dollar store or on Amazon (check the wrappers I’ve used)
- Deposit or Exchange: Rolled coins can be deposited into your account or exchanged for cash.
2. Spend Directly
Use them for small purchases or exact change payments. Many businesses, like gas stations and convenience stores, welcome coins, making it a practical way to use your spare change without additional steps.
3. Host an Exchange Party
Gather friends or family to sort and exchange coins together. It’s a fun way to declutter and exchange for bills among yourselves. But you might spend more on food and drinks to entertain them. It might be a fun idea, though.
Tips for Coin Counting Machines Near You
Most people don’t consider cleaning the coins before running them through the machine. If dirty or mixed with dirt, hair, and other debris, it can clog the machine and lead to a wrong count.
- Clean Your Coins: Remove dirt and debris to avoid jams.
- Sort Ahead of Time: Separate foreign coins and non-coin items to streamline the process.
- Verify Availability: Call ahead to confirm that machines or services are operational.
How to Avoid Coinstar Fees
Coin counting machines are very convenient, but fees can eat into your savings. Learn more about Coinstar here.
How to avoid avoid the fees:
- Opt for eGift Cards: Select no-fee eGift cards to popular retailers.
- Search for Promotions: Look for deals or discounts at specific locations. For example, some retailers with Coinstar will assess no fees if the cash is used at the store.
- Use Banks or Credit Unions Instead: Many financial institutions offer free counting for customers. Refer back to the list of best places above.
Your other alternative is to buy a coin-counting machine on Amazon (but they can be pricey) or buy coin wrappers. The steps to avoid coin-countingf fees is to count your coins, wrap them, and deposit the rolled coins in your bank account.
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Author Bio
Jason Vitug
Jason Vitug is the founder and CEO of phroogal. His writings explore the intersection of money, wellness, and life. Jason is a New York Times reviewed author, speaker, and world traveler, and Plutus-award winning creator. He holds an MBA from Norwich University and a BS in Finance from Rutgers University. View my favorite things→
Jason Vitug
Jason Vitug is the founder and CEO of phroogal. His writings explore the intersection of money, wellness, and life. Jason is a New York Times reviewed author, speaker, and world traveler, and Plutus-award winning creator. He holds an MBA from Norwich University and a BS in Finance from Rutgers University. View my favorite things→
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