Coin counters: rolling with the times
I remember my father with his neat stacks of coins lined up on the kitchen table, ready to roll up into coin wrappers of every denomination.
Quarters, nickels, dimes and, of course --- lots and lots of pennies!
He had a lot of patience sorting and counting the change and I admired how he managed to stuff those neat stacks of coins into the little paper wrappers with expert precision.
Now, many banks across the country are rolling out coin counting machines to offer convenience for all that spare change laying around the house.
Now, many banks across the nation are offering this service for free to their personal banking customers.
Diana Morrone, Vice President, Retail Solutions, TD Canada Trust, says, "Our commitment to comfortable banking means we constantly look for opportunities to raise the bar in customer service.
"From longer hours to Sunday banking, this national network of coin counters is our latest way to deliver on this promise," she says, noting that the bank is planning on installing 300 automated coin counting machines in branches Canada-wide this year.
According to TD Canada Trust research, 69 per cent of Canadians avoid paying for purchases with change and prefer to use debit or credit cards; while others just don't like to carry heavy change around or don't want to count it out at the cash register.
And if you're anything like me, I get a tad bit annoyed standing behind someone at the cash register taking forever and holding up the line trying to find just the right amount of change in their pocketbook for their purchase. There have been occasions when I have just handed them the money to pay for their transaction just to get them to move on.
We are moving towards a cashless society with debit, credit, online payments, smart phone payments, swipe, insert, wave and tap.
So what will we do with all this spare change that we have left hanging around?
Well, TD Canada Trust offers some suggestions. According to their research, 96 per cent of Canadians know approximately how much coinage they have laying around while 27 per cent admit they have at least $50 in change.
The automated coin machines will sort your change and print out a receipt which can be cashed or deposited into your account at the teller.
However there are other options. For instance, even small amounts will help to pay down credit card debt. Or you can open a Registered Education Plan (RESP) for your son or daughter; open a high-interest savings account to save for that vacation; or even make an extra annual mortgage payment.
I'm pretty sure I have a decent stash of cash hidden in my couches, laundry room and vehicle. But hey, who's counting?
By Donna Donaldson, MSN Money
Have you or will you take advantage of the automated coin counting machines? What do you plan on doing with your spare change?
Posted by: RegM | Mar 29, 2021 2:23:32 PM
Where are the branches that have these coin counters?
Posted by: Ohhhh Donna !! | Apr 2, 2021 1:01:09 PM
A few gems from our resident wit ! Quotes from La Donna...
1. I get a tad bit annoyed standing behind someone at the cash register taking forever and holding up the line trying to find just the right amount of change in their pocketbook for their purchase. There have been occasions when I have just handed them the money to pay for their transaction just to get them to move on.
Yeah right... we're sure you actually paid for their purchase. If true (which is doubtful) you were certainly MORE than a tad annoyed.
2. I'm pretty sure I have a decent stash of cash hidden in my couches, laundry room and vehicle.
Oooo... giggles and more giggles from La Donna. What do you do ? Shake your guests upside down before they sit on your couches ? Shake down your husband or kids' pants in the laundry room but too lazy to pick up the rattling change from the floor ? As for your retirement fund still stashed in your vehicle, good luck with that. Probably just enough to buy you a "decent" Timmies !
Posted by: Darwin Recuitment Agent | Apr 2, 2021 1:05:13 PM
@RegM --- read the article ! It says TD Canada Trust.
Use your telephone and call up one of their branches ya lazy sob.
Do you want one of us to drive you there with your loose change too ?