The change you have in your pocket, car or coin jar can really add up and result in money you can use for Christmas gifts or purchases on a whim.
Locally, at Union Bank and Trust Co., Pottsville, there isn't a mad rush to turn coins into dollars.
"I would say it's heavier in the summer with vacations," said Brenda Pfeiffenberger, manager of the bank at 22nd and West Market streets in Pottsville.
A grandmother did cash in a variety of coins within the last two weeks so her grandchildren could buy Christmas gifts for their parents, Pfeiffenberger said.
A woman cashed in $5 worth of pennies recently, said Theresa Sterner, manager of the Union Bank and Trust Co., Norwegian Township in the Pottsville Plaza.
Cheryl Latsko. 57, Ashland, said she recently had $146 in coins, a couple months worth, that she wanted to cash in.
"Whatever the need is at that time, I do it for that," she said.
A representative at the Sovereign Bank in the city said she could not provide information on customers' habits.
At the Giant Food Market on Progress Avenue in Pottsville, Paul Karnes, 54, of Reading, was parting with his spare change he deposited into the Coinstar machine Thursday.
A fee is charged if cash is wanted. Otherwise, a gift card for various businesses including Giant or a donation can made to different organizations without a fee.
Carson Woodward, Giant manager, said the machine is used often.
"You see people come across the parking lot with a big jug," he said.
Ellen Kull, 69, of Pottsville, collects dimes. She has about $70 in dimes so far. When she collects enough, about $100 worth, she will go to the bank.
Linda Wolfe, customers operations manager for the Giant at the Cressona Mall, said the Coinstar machine gets used often.
"We have a good volume of people that use Coinstar even more so during this time of year," she said.