You can save a lot of money in change but knowing what to do with it can be a hassle, here are three ways to turn to your change into cash and make the most of your pennies!

Visit the bank

Your bank should (hopefully) change your pennies into cash and add it into your bank account, but don’t just turn up unannounced with your piggy bank. Head in before hand and ask for money bags and discuss any conditions they may have – some banks will have certain minimums (usually £1 for 1p and 2p pieces and £2 for 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p pieces). You’ll have to put a bit of effort into sorting the money yourself but you’ll keep every penny!

Automatic machines

Coinstar and similar machines can be found in various shops across the UK, particularly supermarkets, but there is a catch: They charge a ‘fee’, usually around 8 or so pence per £1, to convert your change into cash. That means for every £1 in change you have you’ll only get 92p in cash and if you’ve got lots of pennies it can add up: £100 in change and you’ll lose nearly £10.

Just spend it

The easiest (and arguably the best!) way to is just to spend your change. For some things, change is best – such as for parking and penny sweets! – but you can store up your spare pence to buy anything.

That said, be warned that there are some rules on what shops may accept with a limit of 20p worth of 1p and 2p pieces, £5 in 5p and 10p coins and £10 made up of 20p and 50ps. But you can use any amount of change with self-service checkouts!