A Use for Pennies

Coinstar. That machine in grocery stores that converts coins to cash (while deducting a 8.9% fee, I might add). I had used it once before. I was loaded with coins and Chuck E. Cheese was closed. So I dumped in my nickels and dimes and took my cash, never to return--or so I thought. Months later, my friend (who happens to have a blog, "A Complicated Viking Tale" that you should check out) told me coins could be converted to Amazon or iTunes gift cards. What a perfect way to create my own music buying allowance. Sound like an infomercial? But wait, there's more! Unlike Shamwows and Snuggies, it's free! So I proceeded to cash in all my coins and buy five CDs. I am planning to purchase music only with my coin fund. So while that tunes spree may sound nutrageous, I am hoping it saves me dough in the long run. And in case you're curious, the five CDs (bought with about $50 worth of coins) were: Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Stadium Arcadium," Queen's "Greatest Hits," The Killers' "Sam's Town," Phoenix's "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" and Death Cab for Cutie's "We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes." Will I review these? Why, of course. For three easy payments of $19.95, that is.