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# What to Do with All the Cents Scattered in Your Drawers: Creative Ways to Put Those Coins to Good Use
Coins – particularly pennies – often have a way of gathering in the deepest corners of our drawers, collecting dust and becoming a bit of a nuisance. Over time, it’s easy to accumulate a lot of loose change without ever really knowing what to do with it. You might open a drawer to find a small mountain of cents, completely forgotten and possibly even mixed in with receipts, paper clips, or even buttons. The thought of lugging all these coins to the bank or coin machine can be daunting, and frankly, most people just don’t want to be bothered with it. But don’t just leave them to gather dust! There are so many ways to repurpose, recycle, and utilize these cents in creative and useful ways.
In this article, we’ll explore various practical, fun, and creative ways to put all those scattered coins to good use. From simple financial tips and ways to save money to fun crafts, art projects, and even charitable causes that accept coin donations, there are many ways to turn this forgotten clutter into something more meaningful. You might even find a way to make your coins work for you!
### The Hidden Potential of Loose Change
While it’s easy to overlook or dismiss small amounts of change, those little coins can add up quickly. According to a 2017 survey by the Coinstar company, the average person has about $90 in spare change lying around their homes. Imagine what you could do with that hidden cash!
Some people have a habit of tossing their change into jars, drawers, or pockets, and forget about it until it’s time to clean out the clutter. Others might be hesitant to visit a coin-counting machine due to the fees or simply because it feels like too much trouble. But don’t underestimate the power of small amounts of change! It’s possible to make a positive impact on your finances and your life by utilizing those loose coins creatively.
### The First Step: Sorting and Organizing Your Coins
Before diving into creative ideas for your coins, it’s important to first gather all of the loose change from around your home. Here’s how to get started:
#### Step 1: Gather and Sort
Find all the places where coins may have accumulated: drawers, pockets, purses, coin trays, or even under the couch cushions. Once you’ve rounded them up, you can begin sorting them by denomination—pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Having a visual of how many coins you have can be helpful.
#### Step 2: Clean and Inspect
Coins can get dirty over time and may have dirt or oil on them. While it’s not strictly necessary to clean them, it might be worth wiping them down with a cloth to make them easier to handle. Check if any coins are particularly old or rare; these could be worth more than their face value.
#### Step 3: Organize for Storage
Investing in coin organizers or small containers for each coin type can help you keep your coins in order. Clear plastic tubes or coin rolls are ideal for storing your change, and they can be found at most office supply stores. Using coin wrappers, you can also roll your coins and prepare them for depositing at a bank or coin exchange machine.
### 1. Turn Coins into Cash: Deposit or Exchange Them
The most obvious solution when you have a lot of scattered cents is to deposit or exchange them for paper money. However, before you do this, there are a few things to consider.
#### **Bank Deposit**
Most banks accept loose change for deposit, but you will usually need to sort and roll the coins first. While this can be time-consuming, it’s often free if you’re a customer of the bank. Some banks even provide coin rolls for free, making this a convenient option if you have a few dollars’ worth of coins.
#### **Coin-Counting Machines**
Alternatively, you can use a coin-counting machine, such as Coinstar, which is available in many grocery stores. While convenient, keep in mind that these machines typically charge a fee of 10-12% of the total value, depending on your location. For example, if you have $10 in coins, the fee might be $1.00-$1.20. If you don’t mind the fee and want the convenience, a coin-counting machine might be a good option.
#### **Give Coins as Gifts**
If you’re wondering how to give a gift of money, spare coins can make for an interesting and creative present. For example, you could roll the coins in cute wrappers or packaging and present them as a gift. This could be a quirky way of offering a small but thoughtful gift for a special occasion, or you could give them to a friend or family member who enjoys coin collecting.
### 2. Use Loose Change for Everyday Purchases
If you’re tired of finding coins scattered in your home but don’t want to spend the time rolling and depositing them, consider using them for everyday purchases. This can be a simple way to reduce clutter and still put your change to good use. Whether it’s paying for parking, buying a coffee, or purchasing a snack, your pocket change can come in handy.
Here are a few ideas for using your spare coins:
– **Grocery Store:** Many stores will accept coins for smaller purchases, such as snacks, drinks, or even small kitchen items.
– **Parking Meters:** If you often find yourself with excess coins and need to park your car, use them to feed the meter. It’s a simple way to avoid digging into your wallet for bills.
– **Vending Machines:** Next time you need a snack or a drink, use those loose coins to buy something from a vending machine.
### 3. Creative Craft Ideas: Turn Your Coins into Art
Coins aren’t just for spending—they can also be transformed into unique and creative projects. Here are some craft ideas that will help you repurpose those loose cents into beautiful and functional items:
#### **Coin Mosaics**
One of the easiest and most popular ways to use coins in art is by creating coin mosaics. You can glue the coins to a surface, such as a picture frame, table, or tray, and arrange them in a pattern or design that suits your taste. You could create geometric patterns, shapes, or even intricate pictures.
For example:
– Create a fun mosaic of a favorite animal, such as a fish or bird, by arranging pennies, nickels, and dimes.
– Use silver coins like quarters or dimes to make a shiny, metallic pattern.
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