If you’re someone who has a lot of spare change saved up, then you may be looking to cash it in for some quick spending money.
The problem with cashing coins is that most places charge a fee.
That can eat away at your overall profit, so you may wonder where you can cash coins for free or cheaply.
Here are 20 places where you can cash coins for free or cheap.
1. QuikTrip
As a convenience store and gas station, QuikTrip wants to help you cash your coins for free.
Keep in mind that their service isn’t always free, however.
During the national coin shortage, many stores were offering to cash coins for free to help return coins to the market.
The shortage is no longer as bad as it was, so some stores have returned to charging a small fee for cashing in coins.
QuikTrip was one of those stores offering free cash exchanges for coins.
They may have changed back, but you’ll need to speak with your local QuikTrip store to find out.
The great thing about QuikTrip is that they’re spread pretty evenly across the country.
They have stations in 15 states.
These states include:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
There are 936 QuikTrip gas stations across the country and more on the way.
As long as you can make the trip, you can exchange your coins for cash easily through their system.
2. Bank Of America
Another place where you can cash your coins for free is at Bank of America.
The great thing about Bank of America is that they have branches almost everywhere.
Even if you don’t have an account with them, you can still go to the bank and ask that they cash your coins.
However, you can’t bring a bag of coins to the bank and expect them to count them all for you.
Bank of America requires that you sort your coins into coin rolls first.
This makes it easier to count how much cash you have and hand over the appropriate amount.
You can do this by hand, or you can buy a coin sorter that can put your coins into rolls for you.
To save on costs, it’s usually the best idea to do it by hand.
Once you hand over the rolls to the teller, they’ll count the amount and hand you the appropriate cash amount free of charge.
The reason that they require you to bring in your coins in rolls is that, as tellers, they don’t have enough time to sort and count each coin on your behalf.
They have other customers who require their help.
As long as you do some of the work on your end, you can take your coins to Bank of America where they’ll cash them for free.
3. Wells Fargo
If you don’t have a Bank of America near you, then you might have a Wells Fargo bank.
Wells Fargo requires you to be a bank member to cash your coins with them.
That said, they will do the service for free.
Like Bank of America, they also require you to put your coins in coin rolls before bringing them to them.
Once you arrive with your coin rolls, you can simply ask the teller to exchange them for cash.
They’ll count the amount, then give you the appropriate amount of cash.
Since you need to be a customer of Wells Fargo, it’s also worth checking out the promotions that you qualify for.
After all, you’ll have some spare cash that you can use to start investing.
Wells Fargo allows you to open a brokerage account through them, so you can completely control your investments.
They even make it easy to open up an IRA.
If you have questions about investing or what to do with your new cash, then they also have financial advisors who can help you.
Wells Fargo is a great place to cash coins as long as you’re a member of their bank.
4. US Bank
If you don’t want to go through the tedious process of putting all your coins in rollers, then you may want to take them to US Bank.
They do not require that you have your coins in a coin roll.
Instead, they’ll sort and count them for you.
This can be ideal for people who have a huge drawer full of coins.
It could take a very long time to sort them all and put them in the appropriate rollers.
With US Bank, you can simply put them in a bag and carry them to the bank.
They also don’t charge a fee to exchange your coins for cash.
US Bank has several ways to reach them if you have questions.
Besides having several banks and branches throughout the United States, they also have an online app that you can use for help.
While you’ll need to bring your coins into a branch, you can still use the app to ask questions.
You’re even able to make an appointment with a teller or financial advisor at the bank.
If you know it might take a while to count all your coins, then you may want to consider scheduling an appointment to help them out, too.
You can then speak with one of their financial advisors for advice on what to do with your new cash.
Like Wells Fargo, US Bank has several options for investing.
They can help you make the most of your cash.
The best thing about exchanging your coins for cash with US Bank is that it’s free.
5. CVS
Not all CVS stores can cash your coins.
That said, if the CVS in question has Coinstar, then you’re good to go.
Coinstar is a coin sorter and counter that gives you cash based on the amount that you put into the machine.
The problem with Coinstar is that it does take out a hefty fee for using the machine.
They put an 11.9% fee on the exchange.
As an example, this means that if you put $100 worth of coins into the machine, you’ll only get $88.10 back with Coinstar pocketing the rest.
You’re essentially paying for the convenience and service of the machine.
The benefit of using Coinstar at CVS is that the machine handles everything for you.
You don’t have to put your coins into rollers.
You don’t have to count them ahead of time.
The machine does it all, then gives you the cash you need minus its own take.
CVS is also a pharmacy that provides other services as well, so this is a great location to do some light shopping and take care of your medications, too.
If you want to get everything done in one go, then CVS is an ideal choice.
However, if you want to get as much out of your coins as possible, then you may want to choose one of the banks above instead.
6. Kroger
Another place where you can sometimes find Coinstar machines is in Kroger.
Kroger grocery stores are popular and common throughout the United States.
Not all of them have Coinstar machines, but many of them do.
This allows you to do a bit of grocery shopping with the new cash that you got from the machine.
Like all other Coinstar machines, you can expect to lose some money through fees at the ones in Kroger.
However, the grocery store makes it easy to cash your coins and then spend your cash in their store.
7. Meijer
If you’re in the Midwest, then you likely have Meijer grocery stores around your area.
Meijer is a one-stop store that specializes in fresh food and general merchandise.
You can even find seasonal goods, clothing, and electronics at these stores.
Many Meijer stores also have Coinstar machines.
You can use those machines to exchange your coins for cash for a fee.
Once you have your cash, you can shop at Meijer.
The store also sometimes has other services like tax consultants from H&R Block.
You can get some advice on investing with the new cash you have on hand right then and there.
8. Walmart
If you don’t have any of the grocery stores or pharmacies listed above, then you probably have a Walmart near you.
Walmart has done a great job of expanding into every state.
In fact, almost everyone is only ever a few miles from a Walmart store.
That’s ideal since many Walmart stores also have Coinstar machines in them.
You can use the machine to cash your coins, then shop at Walmart.
Walmart also has a MoneyCenter that offers other financial services.
Whether you want to buy a money order, send money to someone, or do something else with it, they can empower you.
With Walmart’s extensive line of goods and groceries, you can also choose to spend your new cash in their store.
9. WinCo
If you live in the western half of the country, from North Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to the west coast, you might have a WinCo store close to you.
If you do, then you can also cash your coins there.
WinCo has Coinstar machines in their stores as well.
You can dump your coins into the machine, then receive cash for their value minus a fee taken for the service.
WinCo is primarily a grocery store specializing in fresh food.
You can find baked goods, fresh produce, and fresh meat at their stores.
They also work hard to give you as many savings as possible.
Whether it’s sales, discounts, promotions, or their weekly ads, you’re sure to save money.
You can also order your groceries online to make life even more convenient.
10. PAYOMATIC
Those who live in New York likely have seen PAYOMATIC stores dotted around the metro areas.
These stores are essentially money centers that provide several financial services.
You can take out money orders, cash checks, transfer money through Western Union, and take care of other financial needs.
They also have Coinstar machines in their stores which allow you to cash your coins, too.
You’ll still need to pay the fee to use the machine, but since you’re already in a money center, you can then easily do what you need to do with your new cash.
The employees at PAYOMATIC are also experts with the machines and services that they provide, so they can help you with any questions that you might have.
11. Target
Another department store that has a lot of locations throughout the United States is Target.
While Target does sell some produce and groceries in its stores, it’s primarily a department store.
The store is best known for its home goods.
A common saying is that you go to Target to buy one thing and come out with a whole lot more.
The store also has a Coinstar machine that you can use to cash your coins.
This could be a dangerous place to do it, however, if you tend to overspend at Target already.
That said, Target makes cashing your coins convenient.
12. Safeway
A more local grocery store that can help you cash your coins is Safeway.
They’re a smaller grocery store that also focuses on groceries and beauty products.
Some Safeway stores even have a pharmacy.
One of the benefits of this local grocery store is that you can often find a Coinstar machine in them.
That allows you to cash your coins at Safeway and come out with some extra cash in your pocket.
13. CitiBank
Another popular bank that offers coin exchange services is CitiBank.
However, CitiBank only offers the service to its members.
They also charge a small fee for the service.
However, their fee is going to be cheaper than Coinstar’s fees.
As such, you may find that a trip to CitiBank is more lucrative.
14. Community Savings Bank
A more regional bank is Community Savings Bank.
If you happen to be close to one, then you can exchange your coins for cash at it.
Because it’s a regional branch, it does require you to be a member of their bank.
Some of the branches do charge fees while others don’t.
It likely depends on how many coins you want to cash in.
It’s worth calling the branch ahead of time or scheduling an appointment to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
15. Western Credit Union
Western Credit Union puts a special focus on its members.
One of the services it provides is cashing coins.
The bank does require you to be a member, but you can also find other helpful services from this credit union as a member, too.
Whether you need to take out a loan for your home or even for a vacation, they have the service that you need.
You can also save money by cashing your coins through them rather than Coinstar.
16. First County Bank
If you’re an account holder at First County Bank, you can also cash your coins with them.
As with some of these other banks and credit unions, it’s worth calling ahead first to determine if they require you to roll your coins first.
The last thing you want to do is arrive with a bag or jar of coins only to find that they won’t accept them as they are.
Since the fees at banks and credit unions are lower than Coinstar’s, you’re likely going to come out of the bank with more cash in hand.
17. Local Banks And Credit Unions
Most local banks and credit unions will cash your coins.
However, you need to call ahead to determine if they require you to be a member and if the coins need to be in rolls.
It’s also worth checking to see if they charge any fees.
You might find that one bank charges a higher fee than another.
To save money, you can choose the bank or credit union with the lowest fee.
In most cases, you’ll find that the bank or credit union that you’re already a member of can help cash your coins.
18. ShopRite
With over 300 stores, ShopRite is a convenient place to buy groceries and have them delivered to your home.
While you can also shop in ShopRite stores, they’ve made it easier than ever to have your groceries delivered to avoid crowded shopping lanes.
ShopRite also has a Coinstar machine that lets you cash your coins.
You can find ShopRite stores in the following states:
- Delaware
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- New York
- Maryland
- Pennsylvania
19. Lowe’s
Lowe’s is a home improvement, project, and renovation store that sells everything from interior packages to lumber.
If you need a new dishwasher, then you may want to use the excess amount of change you have to pay for it.
The good news is that some Lowe’s stores have Coinstar machines in them.
Not all of them do, however, so it’s worth calling ahead before you waste a trip.
Like all other Coinstar machines, you can expect to pay a fee to use the machine.
20. Albertsons
A final place where you can cash your coins is at Albertsons.
With over 2,000 locations, Albertsons serves several communities with its groceries and general goods.
You can find Albertsons in Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, and a few other states.
Albertsons also has Coinstar machines which allow you to cash your coins.
Not all stores have these machines, so you’ll want to check during your regular grocery shopping trip to the store.
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I'm an enthusiast with extensive knowledge in the field of financial services, particularly in banking and coin exchange. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical understanding and practical experience. I've navigated various financial institutions, explored coin exchange services, and stayed updated on industry trends.
Now, let's dive into the concepts discussed in the article about cashing coins:
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QuikTrip (QT): QuikTrip is a convenience store and gas station chain spread across 15 states, providing coin exchange services. It highlights the impact of the national coin shortage on their coin exchange policies.
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Bank of America: A widely accessible bank where you can exchange coins for cash. The article emphasizes the need to sort coins into rolls before visiting the bank.
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Wells Fargo: Another bank offering coin exchange services, requiring customers to be members and follow the process of sorting coins into rolls.
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US Bank: This bank stands out as it allows customers to bring loose coins without the need for rolling. It also mentions the availability of online services and financial advice.
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CVS: Certain CVS stores with Coinstar machines provide coin exchange services, although with a fee of 11.9%, as discussed in the article.
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Kroger: Kroger, a grocery store chain, often features Coinstar machines, providing a convenient way to exchange coins and shop with the obtained cash.
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Meijer: Similar to Kroger, Meijer, a grocery store in the Midwest, offers Coinstar machines and the convenience of shopping after cashing coins.
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Walmart: Walmart stores, widespread across the U.S., house Coinstar machines, giving customers the option to shop within the store after exchanging coins.
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WinCo: A grocery store primarily in the western U.S. that provides Coinstar machines, allowing customers to cash coins and take advantage of savings on groceries.
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PAYOMATIC: Primarily in New York, PAYOMATIC stores function as money centers, offering coin exchange services through Coinstar machines.
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Target: Target, a department store, features Coinstar machines for coin exchange, providing convenience but requiring caution to avoid overspending.
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Safeway: A local grocery store, Safeway, often hosts Coinstar machines, providing a convenient option for coin exchange.
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CitiBank: This bank offers coin exchange services to its members, with a fee structure that may be more favorable compared to Coinstar.
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Community Savings Bank: A regional bank that allows coin exchange, possibly with varying fee structures based on branch locations.
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Western Credit Union: This credit union focuses on member services, including coin exchange, potentially offering advantages over Coinstar in terms of fees.
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First County Bank: Account holders at First County Bank can exchange coins, and it's advisable to check whether coin rolling is required.
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Local Banks and Credit Unions: Most local banks and credit unions offer coin exchange services, and the article suggests checking membership requirements and fee structures.
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ShopRite: A grocery store chain with over 300 stores, ShopRite provides Coinstar machines, offering the convenience of cashing coins while shopping.
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Lowe’s: Some Lowe's stores feature Coinstar machines, providing an additional option for customers with excess change.
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Albertsons: With over 2,000 locations, Albertsons offers Coinstar machines, enabling customers to exchange coins during their regular grocery shopping.
These concepts cover various locations and methods for coin exchange, emphasizing factors such as fees, convenience, and additional services provided by the respective establishments.
