How to turn $40 into $50

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At first glance, those Coinstar machines in supermarkets and other venues don’t look like such a great deal. It’s great to count and convert spare change into cash, but the 8.9% service charge is a big price for the convenience.

It turns out that not every Coinstar machine is created equal. Depending on where you are, some of those green machines offer a great way to convert your change into e-certificates and gift cards to popular businesses at no charge. And if you cash in $40 or more of loose change through Dec. 7, you can get an extra bonus in the form of an additional $10 gift card or certificate.

Here’s how it works...

Go to the Coinstar website and enter a ZIP Code in the machine locater. When the list of locations pops up, look for the machines near you that show the ‘E’ icon for e-certificates and the icon (which looks like a present) for gift cards. Click on the E to see the list of businesses for which that machine issues certificates. Do the same to find out about gift cards, and be aware that not every location offers the same selection. If you don’t like the selection at the location you’re at, troll other Coinstar machines in nearby areas. Many machines, including the ones in Ralphs grocery stores, won’t let you redeem coins for anything other than cash, less the service charge.

Coinstar’s partners include Amazon.com, AMC Theatres, Borders, Cabela’s, Circuit City, CVS Pharmacy, Disneyshopping.com, Eddie Bauer, iTunes, JCPenney, Lowe’s, Old Navy, Overstock.com, Pier 1 Imports and Starbucks.

The $10 bonus is good only if you redeem $40 or more, and only for the retailer for which you are getting the e-certificate or gift card. For example, let’s say you go to the Coinstar at the Stater Bros. on Valley View Street in Cypress and drop in $40 or more in change -- $42.52, for example -- into the machine and ask for a Starbucks gift card. You will get the card with the full $42.52 redemption value at Starbucks, plus a rebate receipt you can send in for a $10 Starbucks card. Each household can get only one $10 bonus.

Even after the bonus expires, consumers won’t have to pay service charges on converting coins to certificates and gift cards. And because state law prohibits retailers from charging redemption fees or placing expiration dates on gift certificates and cards, you don’t have to use them right away.

Coinstar estimates there is at least $500 million in idle change sitting in jars, dressers and car ash trays in the Los Angeles area, and hundreds of millions of dollars more in surrounding counties.

-- Jerry Hirsch