I've built up somewhat of a reputation for accumulating a lot of loose change. It used to cover every available flat surface in my home or dorm room; small piles of coins were evidence that I had recently been in a room. My sister-in-law once picked up all the loose change in my bedroom in California and it added up to $40, which she used to buy paint supplies to make the room look nicer.

Well, due to tight finances, I decided another change-in (ha!) might be in order. This morning, I loaded all of my coins into a plastic bag, making my backpack quite a bit heavier. I traded them in at a free coin counter at a local bank, guessing that I may have had $12 or even $15 or possibly even $20 in coins.

Umm, way off.

I'm $52 richer.