These Places Will Almost Guarantee You Quarters Every Time
Finding money in random places is always exciting, no matter how much you have. It’s like discovering hidden treasure when you find quarters in your forgotten pants pockets. If you think about it, it can be considered a form of passive income. Having quarters on hand always has its benefits, such as paying parking meters, bus tickets, or vending machines. However, not many people keep quarters anymore, opting instead to pay with cards, which can sometimes be inconvenient. In this article, we’re going to show you the best 27 places to find quarters.
#1. Bank Or Credit Union
One of the most reliable places to get a roll of quarters is your nearest bank. You don’t even need to have an account at the institution. Just walk up to the teller and ask them to exchange your money for quarters. Quarter rolls generally come in denominations of $10, or forty quarters. To keep the transaction fast and simple, try to exchange an even $10 or multiples of it. Some banks may only be willing to exchange one or two rolls of coins at a time. If you need more, you might have to visit multiple banks.
#2. Laundromat
Most laundromats, especially older ones, have coin-operated machines. For this reason, laundromats often have coin machines on-site that allow customers to exchange their cash for quarters. This makes laundromats a great option for getting quarters quickly. If the laundromat doesn’t have an automated coin machine, you can ask an employee if they can manually exchange your cash. The only drawback is trying to get quarters outside of regular hours. Since laundromats tend to stay open 24 hours a day, you can usually visit any time, even in the middle of the night.
#3. Car Wash
Car washes are another notorious place for needing quarters to operate their systems. Like laundromats, many car washes have coin machines near the entrance where you can change cash for quarters. If no machine is available, ask a staff member to exchange your money for you.
#4. Grocery Store
Grocery stores are reliable when you need quarters but can’t find them elsewhere. Most have a customer service counter where you can easily exchange cash for a roll of quarters. You can also ask the cashier at the checkout to exchange your dollar bills. It’s best to request a smaller number of quarters, as registers often have a limited amount. If you’re purchasing something, you can ask for your change in quarters. If you don’t have cash but need quarters, request ‘cash back’ from your debit card and ask to receive it in quarters.
#5. Gas Station
When on a long road trip or encountering tolls, having quarters ready can help you get through tolls faster without fumbling for smaller change or waiting in line for cash exchange. Like grocery stores, gas stations can give you quarters in exchange for cash, and this can be more accessible when traveling to unfamiliar locations.
#6. Vending Machine
Vending machines are less common for getting quarters but can work. Vending machines are designed to dispense leftover change as coins, usually quarters. Be warned that if the machine is running low on quarters, it may dispense dimes or nickels instead. Assuming the machine will likely disburse quarters, you can insert a dollar bill into the slot, press the change return button, and receive four quarters.
#7. Arcade
Although not as popular as they once were, arcades are still an excellent place to find quarters if you can locate one nearby. The only catch is that some arcades are switching from quarters to tokens. It’s best to check what the arcade machines use so you don’t waste your time getting tokens instead of quarters.
#8. Restaurant Or Cafe
Restaurants and cafes can also be reliable places to get quarters. Here are a few ways to ask for a quarter exchange at a restaurant:
- If you’re making a purchase, ask for your change in quarters. Most registers will open automatically when making a purchase and paying with cash, so it’s easier to request your change in quarters.
- If you’re not making a purchase, ask a supervisor to exchange your cash. Since the register may need to be opened manually, you’ll have to wait for a manager to unlock it.
- Ask to exchange your money from a tip jar. Independent eateries or cafes may have tip jars near the register. Customers often leave tips in small change, which can be difficult for employees to divide up later.
- Some businesses might be willing to exchange your cash for quarters from the tip jar, but you must speak with a manager first, as not all places will do this.
Quick-service restaurants are more likely to have quarters since customers often pay with cash there.
#9. Bars
Bars are another convenient place as they usually have a good amount of cash on hand. If you’re looking for a large number of quarters, your best bet is still to go to your local bank.
#10. Retail Stores
All retail stores and big box stores can likely make change for you. The easiest way is to visit any cash register and ask the employee for change, specifying that you prefer quarters. In rare cases, they might require you to buy something first. If this happens, don’t rush to grab the first thing you see, like a candy bar. Take your time to find something you will use that doesn’t cost much. Another option is to go to the customer service desk, as they can usually make change for you too.
#11. Post Office
The Post Office isn’t typically a place you think of for getting free change, but it is an option. Postal workers will have a limited amount of cash, so you can only exchange a small amount. This should be one of the last places you try on this list.
#12. Convenience Store
Your local convenience store is a quick place to get change. The catch is that late at night, convenience stores typically have less cash on hand. During these times, even if you make a small purchase, the staff might hesitate to give you the change you want because they may not have access to more cash until the next day.
#13. Movie Theatres
Movie theaters are often overlooked because most people only think of the concessions. You could ask at the concessions to give you quarters for a dollar. You can also find an arcade, many movie theaters have them, and they will have change machines for you to use.
#14. Soda Machines
If you know of a place with a soda machine, you can get quarters by inserting your bill and pressing the button to get your change. You will likely get quarters rather than your bill back. The downside is if the machine is running low on quarters, it might return dimes and nickels.
#15. Hotels
If you’re in a pinch near a hotel, you can try to get quarters there. The front desk won’t have a large supply of change but will provide a few dollars’ worth of quarters.
#16. Mall
Malls can be a choice because they tend to have large play areas for kids. Previously, shopping centers wouldn’t make this list, but now they are doing everything they can to attract shoppers, including having indoor playgrounds with equipment that requires coins. Additionally, many malls have vending machines and arcades with change machines you can use.
#17. Bowling Alley
In addition to bowling, most bowling alleys have arcades for waiting or entertainment before and after you bowl. These arcades will have coin machines that you can use to exchange dollars for quarters. Even if they don’t have a coin machine, they will have a vending machine or soda machine that gives change.
#18. Libraries
If you’re in a bind, libraries are another option. You won’t be able to exchange $20 into quarters, but you can exchange a few dollars. You might even find a soda machine there to use.
#19. College Campus
Most college campuses have laundry machines that operate on quarters. Chances are there is a coin machine somewhere on campus. The only downside is that these machines might be in the dorms, and unless you’re a student, you won’t have access. The solution could be befriending a student and asking them for help in getting quarters.
#20. High School Football And Basketball Games
If you’ve been to a high school football or basketball game, you’ve seen the concession stand selling drinks and food. You can ask the staff there to change a few dollars for you. The downside is that football games are usually only on Friday nights or Saturday afternoons. While basketball games are more frequent, it’s a shot in the dark unless you know the schedule.
#21. Pharmacy
If you’ve tried everywhere in the city and still can’t get enough quarters, your last stop might be a local pharmacy like Rite Aid or CVS. The advantage of getting quarters at a pharmacy is that many are open 24/7, so you can get quarters at any time, usually without long lines. Like other establishments, pharmacies will likely only change a few dollars for quarters. Try making a small purchase and asking nicely if they can exchange any leftover cash into quarters.
#22. Toll Booths
This option is a hit-or-miss because it requires driving on a toll road with attendants rather than electronic systems. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s a great place to get a small number of quarters.
#23. Little Kids
If you have small children or know of any, chances are they have a piggy bank filled with quarters and loose change. You can ask them to give you four quarters for a dollar. Some might not understand the deal as a good one since they don’t grasp the concept of money, but it’s worth a shot.
#24. Ask Others
If you don’t have kids around, another option is to ask others. Ask neighbors or coworkers if they have spare change. Your coworker might be a long shot, but a neighbor might be willing to exchange. Many times people will be happy to get rid of coins in exchange for paper money.
#25. Around Your House
Chances are you have quarters lying around your house. Check for a change jar, pockets of clothing, junk drawers, and your dryer. You can also look between couch cushions where coins often fall.
#24. Street Performers
Another long shot is to approach street performers. Most passersby toss them loose change while they perform. You can ask if they are willing to exchange the change for bills. Explain that if people see bills instead of coins, they might be more inclined to toss in an extra bill or two.
#27. Social Media
This one is a long shot, but worth trying if you’ve exhausted other options. Post in local groups on social media to see if anyone is willing to exchange money for quarters. Doing this expands your circle beyond just asking people you know.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we’ve shown you 27 different places and methods to get quarters and keep them handy. If you’ve reached number 27, which is a stretch, you must be desperate. Hopefully, one of these methods will help you find the quarters you need. Good luck, and thanks for reading!
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