Maybe it’s time to use that jar of dimes and nickels for something more than a doorstop. Change the way you deal with change and turn it into precious savings or, if you prefer, crisp, portable cash.

How to Cash It In

You may have years’ worth of change accumulated in your house, but you should really redeem coins for cash every two to three months. “A big mistake people make is allowing their coins to amass to hundreds of dollars,” says financial planner Ric Edelman, author of The Truth About Money (HarperBusiness, $14, www.amazon.com). “One of my clients used a big five-gallon jug to accumulate $1,000, and during that time he was earning no interest on that money.”

Here are three ways to exchange your change:

Check out the supermarket. If you’re looking to cash in quickly, seek out Coinstar machines, which can be found in more than 11,000 supermarkets (go to www.coinstar.com to find the nearest location). Just dump your coins into the machine, which counts an average of 600 coins a minute, then take the paper voucher to the checkout counter to get your cash. Simplicity comes at a price, though: The company deducts 8.9 percent of your total as a processing fee.

Play the penny arcade. An excellent alternative to paying Coinstar’s service charges is using the Penny Arcade coin-counting machine at all Commerce Banks. (The catch: The bank has locations in only four states — New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Go to www.commerceonline.com for locations.) There, you can cash in coins for free — even if you’re not a bank customer — and enjoy some interactive video fun on two screens, one at kid height, by trying to guess your total beforehand.

Roll it and bank it. Other banks have varying coin-redemption policies. Some offer free coin-counting services for customers; others require that coins be rolled with your name and account number written on each sleeve. (If you do provide such personal information, be sure the bank destroys the wrappers after processing.) Call ahead to find out your bank’s policy. If free change-counting is available, this is your best option. If your bank requires rolled coins, put your kids on the job and offer them a percentage of the total as an incentive.

Where to Stash It

Now that you’ve cleaned out your change, start re-amassing it wisely. Keep your accumulating change in a high-traffic area of your home — near your front or back door, for example. The more prominent your coin jug’s placement, the more likely you will be to feed it. Encourage the whole family to stash their change in one place by selecting a common goal for it, like a weekend trip or a new TV.

Putting Your Coins to Work

Take some for tolls. “If you have to pay tolls or feed meters, keep change in your car,” says Zaslow. Of course, fishing quarters from under the passenger seat will not speed your trip through the exact-change lane. If your car doesn’t have a built-in coin tray, consider getting an auto sorter.

Pay for postage. Take advantage of the vending machines at the post office and convert your coins into stamps. They’re much lighter, and you always need them.

Set aside for savings. Alternatively, don’t use your change for anything — other than savings. “If you’re at the checkout counter and your bill totals $1.02, don’t use two pennies, even if you have them,” advises Ric Edelman. “Use two dollar bills and get the 98 cents back in change. Then go home at the end of the day and throw your coins into the collection spot. At the end of the month, you’ll have saved $20 to $30 in coins alone. And it may well inspire you to save singles and fives, too.”

Be generous. Consider donating your spare change to a local cause, such as a school, a church, or an animal shelter.