Thursday, November 20, 2014

Stretch Your Family's Holiday Budget with Coinstar

How's your holiday budget looking so far? This year, don't bust your budget like most Americans. Instead, find simple ways to stretch your gift-giving budget by turning your extra change into cash.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Coinstar. All opinions are 100% my own.

Coinstar may be a great solution for stretching your holiday budget this year. When you turn in your spare change at a Coinstar kiosk this holiday season, you're not only clearing out your change jar (or whatever you found in the couch, your junk drawer, or at the bottom of your purse), but you've found a simple way to make your holiday budget go further. And it's simple!

Very telling results of Coinstar's holiday survey from this year revealed some interesting statistics. Not only do most Americans go over budget on holiday gifts, but we're also majorly underestimating the value of their spare change. In fact, it appears that Americans estimate they have less than $21 in coins, but Coinstar kiosk data showed that the average pour for the no fee eCertificate option was $58. What would you do with extra cash in your holiday budget?


Transform Your Change

Coinstar offers several options when cashing in your spare change.

Coin-To-Cash Voucher - After pouring in you coins and selecting "Get Cash" on the screen, just take your receipt to checkout stand to trade it in for cash. We're talking change transformed into bills right before your eyes!

No-Fee eCertificates - Keep your entire coin stash value when you choose this no-fee option. Turn your change into a printed eCertificate to a popular retailer of your choosing such as Amazon, Gap, Southwest Airlines, Starbucks, Lowes, Toys"R"Us and more.

Coins that Count - Coinstar has partnered with more than 14 nonprofit organizations that you may choose to donate your loose change to. What a convenient way to give back and make a difference! 

Although these are all great options (something for everyone!), the coin-to-cash option and no-fee eCertificates will be the best way for the average consumer to stretch their holiday budget in the easiest, most tangible way. But first, go raid the bottom of your purse, your car's cup holders, and your couch for loose change!


Our recent visit to a local Coinstar kiosk resulted in two eCertificates - one to Toys"R"Us and one to Amazon. Buddy poured in his spare change he's been collecting this year and enjoyed his much-deserved $15 shopping spree at Toys"R"Us. I've been doing a lot of early Christmas shopping and have a bunch of items on Amazon I need to still order, so I happily chose to redeem our extra $20 in spare change on an Amazon eCertificate. I just went home and entered the code on the receipt and the amount was added to my Amazon balance. Easy peasy.

I definitely thought we had more change laying around, but it appears that I'm more organized this year than I though I was. Actually, I think it's my hubby confiscating all our quarters to feed the meter on the days he drives in to work.
Budgeting for holiday gifts doesn't have to be a challenge and you don't necessarily need to cut back. By shopping early and shopping smart, you can do pretty good and stick to your budget. Incidentals will inevitably come up though, so your local Coinstar kiosk will be waiting when you decide you need to stretch your family's holiday budget just a bit more.

Learn more at Coinstar.com/holiday and connect on Facebook and Twitter.
 

14 comments:

Jasmine P said...

Wow, thanks for sharing this! I want to try coinstar now!

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Jasmine P

Shelly Peterson said...

I give my son all my change except for the quarters and he takes it in to coin star. I try talking him into to saving it up longer to be able to buy something better but that never happens. lol

MikiHope said...

I have quite a bit of spare change hanging out all over the place-I often wondered about using Coinstar machines. Glad to hear they really work! I will probably take the cash and buy some groceries!!

Maria said...

Our kids love to save our change. It helps cut down on frivolous spending and wasting a nickle and dime throughout the year.

Ryan said...

Thanks for sharing this, I need to find one in my area!!

Michele P. said...

I finally got my husband to agree to Coinstar after I got sick of looking at all the loose change around the house. On our first trip, I was surprised how easy it was to use and how quickly we were able to process our cash... he needed gas $ so we used the cash option, but next time I am so going to get a gift card!

Courtney B said...

I love coinstar.. if you put all our coins together we would probably have a lot of extra mohney!!!

Janet W. said...

I've never used coinstar before! This sure beats rolling them up in the papers and turning the coins into the bank.

Keara B. said...

Thanks for posting this... I had no idea you had so many options for what to do with your coins! I really like that they have the option to donate to a non-profit. I think I'll start a tradition of having my kids collect their extra change and donating it to one of the organizations through Coinstar.

Rebecca Swenor said...

This is an awesome idea indeed. I have never heard of this but am now sold on it from the lil cutie on the picture. His smile is so adorable. Thanks for sharing. I will have to see if we have this in our area.

Unknown said...

That is some great ideas... I save change it would be a good idea to save up all year for me , as i don't have money at christmas time to buy gifts i would like to.. thank you for the giveaway

JewelWood said...

I have taken my son and I and turned our change into money. He was so thrilled that he could save up change and get money in return. We have not gone to Coinstar in awhile. But, we need to go again.

Elena said...

I have used Coinstar many times. I collect coins all year and then use them to buy Christmas gifts

Sherrie said...

My hubby and I always use Coinstar at our local grocery store. We are able to get rid of a lot of loose coins and go shopping at the same time. Think it's about time for another trip :)