At the end of each day I empty the change out of my wallet.
I do it religiously, but not for the reasons that you’d think. I do it so that my handbag doesn’t get too heavy and hurt my back. I do it so that my overpriced leather wallet doesn’t rip (and I’d have to buy a new one). I do it to have a fabulous night out with friends.
You might have guessed the 3rd one. It’s no secret that I love to enjoy a little “me time” and frankly my regular budget isn’t what you THINK it is. I’ve become a MASTER at getting what I want and need even when I don’t have the extra funds. Hence my big bucket-‘o-change.
One of my favorite things to do is head to Fort Lauderdale and just spend time with my besties and my brother.
The spot we most often pick? Any one of the fabulous restaurants at the Marriott Harbor Beach. Why? Well, because we have a family membership to the club there, it’s got a GREAT spa, and a few of my favorite eating/drinking spots. I suppose that I enjoy going a little TOO OFTEN, but my big bucket-‘o-change helps.
A little over a week ago we had friends in from NYC.
We wanted a casual spot to have dinner and talk, but since they were in from the city we KNEW that they would want to be out on the ocean. So back to the Marriott Harbor Beach we went to enjoy their newest restaurant Sea Level & Ocean Bar.
BUT FIRST….
I packed up my sack ‘o coins and took them to my nearest Coinstar. You see, when you use Coinstar to convert your change to Marriott gift cards you don’t have to pay a fee. That means no coin rolling for me, just a dump my spare change into the hopper and in a minute I’ve got myself a gift voucher that I can use on ANY Marriott product – a hotel room, spa, or even DINNER at Sea Level.
If you’ve never used Coinstar free coin counting for a Marriott eCard it’s SO SIMPLE to use. Simply find a Coinstar kiosk that offers Marriott eCards and head over with your stash of coins. Pour your pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters into the hopper, press MARRIOTT as your choice of cards, and VOILÁ your Coinstar will spit out an eCard that you can use for a fun stay, a cabana day, dinner, spa, or ANYTHING that you can find on a Marriott property.
I love the restaurants at our Marriott
Down here we’ve got the famous
- 3030 Ocean
- Riva
- Sea Level & Ocean Bar
By the way, we had a fabulous dinner that was comfortable (casual). We laughed, enjoyed drinks on the ocean terrace after dinner, and had an AMAZING time (if you find yourself at Sea Level order the Florida Red Snapper – photo below).
Now you know what I DO with my big bucket-‘o-coins at Marriott. My question to you is. What would YOU do with an eCard from Coinstar at Marriott? Would you join me for dinner at Sea Level or….?????
GIVEAWAY
Winner – Jude M – Chicago, IL
Coinstar and Marriott have paid me to blog about their products/service. All opinions are my own.
Jerrilynn Atherton says
I would LOVE to meet you for dinner!!! If that wasn’t possible…I’d use it for a night away in New Orleans!
Jamie Anderson says
If I won the $100 Coinstar Marriott eCard I would pay for a weekend honeymoon for my fiance and I! We’re having a civil ceremony with our parents and our two children, then hoping to take a two night stay somewhere to get some “alone time” following the ceremony. This would definitely be put to good use!
Awesome giveaway!
Jamie Anderson
msjamesteagall@yahoo dot com
Ross Olson says
I would use it for a fun stay at a Marriott somewhere warm! Thanks!
Ross Olson
lynda T. says
I would use it for our summer vacation next year! Thanks!
Amie Olson says
I would use the $100 Marriott ecard towards a weekend getaway for our Anniversary! Thanks!
Amie Olson
Dawn Lambert says
I would use it to send my father on a much needed vacation since he works 7 days a week just to pay the bills for our combined family.
Mark Watson says
Just to get away.
deb says
I would use it for dinner or maybe the spa….decisions, decisions.
Lisa Roberts says
Oh my, I would add my Coinstar stockpile of change for another Marriot card. That way my best friend ( of 51 years) could have a girls weekend. How great would that be?
Charles says
I’d use it for gas.. It’s killing me!
Donna Smith says
A fancy dinner for me & mom sounds good to me!
Kelly D says
I would use it towards a hotel stay so my mom and I could take a little vacation.
Jewel says
i’d buy a tank and a half of GAS!!!
Michele Orozco says
I would use it for a weekend getaway with my husband when he returns home from Fort Sill.
Tiffany M says
I would use it for a weekend getaway. This year has been rough and a weekend away is much needed.
Heidi V. says
For gas to pick up my Daughter from college for thanksgiving.
John L says
come and do this someone will win
Toni Holbrook aka:Native Heart says
Spend some special time with my sweet hubby <3
alison huffaker says
i would use the ecard on something special for my husband. im currently unable to work so he busts his butt at 2 jobs for us to be comfortable. 🙂
Lorissa Gaskell says
Would love to win this
Jackie says
I’d love to use it for a nice dinner.
Thank you!
Dottie d says
yahhhh our vacation!!
Donna says
I would use it for vacay time! Cool giveaway!
Karen Ott says
I could really really use this. Would love to win!
tammy basden says
i would use it on our christmas vacation. My 2 children could use it for their spending money:)
Brandy says
I would use it to experience a new place, never been to any Marriott properties so I think that is what i would do. Probably dinner!
Ingrid says
I would use it in the Spring when my sister comes to visit from California. We’re planning to take several mini trips while she visits for a month. It’s a good thing we’re both retired.
Holly B says
I’d use it for a hotel stay when I go back home for Christmas.
Amy K Schmidt says
I’d also use it for a room at Christmas.
Elaine A says
Marriott = Consistent quality. Favorite hotel chain. Always.
Karen K says
I would use it for a much needed get-away
Martha Mantel says
I would use it when I visit my son who has a small apartment.
Rebecca E. Parsons says
I would buy the gas to come visit you!!! TEE HEE
Naomi says
I’d have a weekend away with Bob!
gail says
a nice dinner
Anna says
I would love to use it for a weekend getaway!
Elena says
I would spend one night in Marriott in San Diego
Amy Green says
Go crazy on room service, and maybe rent some movies!
Cheryl Evans says
I start college (at 44) in Jan. I would use mine on school supplies.
Lorissa Gaskell says
Would love to win this!
Mary Happymommy says
I would use it for an overnight stay when visiting relatives.
Paula Standley says
I would use it on our summer vacation. (A little something to look forward to!)
Wendy T says
I’d use it toward taking my son to Chicago for a weekend trip.
Thank you.
courtney b says
i would go on a trip with my husband!
Lisa E says
I would use it towards my daughter’s HS graduation gift in June.
Shannon says
I’d use it towards a weekend getaway.
Jenny Stanek says
Id definitely use it for a night in Columbus with my kid’s and husband
dale bartlett says
i would get away for a weekend
Emily says
A weekend getaway for me and my husband! Our third anniversary was yesterday and we haven’t had the money to do anything for any of our anniversaries!
laura says
I would love to have a fun quick getaway with my husband!
Lisa says
I would use mine to have a nice evning with my man on St. Augustine Bch.
Wendy Kroy says
A weekend with my long distance boyfriend.
Amy Peschel says
My son is getting married in Florida on March 16, 2013. This would help pay for a hotel room for me.
Christine burd says
I would love to use this for a special anniversary night with my husband
Trevor says
A long awaited getaway would be fantastic!
cw says
On a trip to Fresno to visit in-laws
Jennifer Marie says
For a weekend get away with the family!
Faith Bosnick says
For a weekend trip with just me and the hubby!
Bee C. says
A trip to Chicago!
Thomas Murphy says
I would use it at one of there restaurants
Tina M says
I would use it for our road trip!
scott says
I would use the card online
Jessicca Ruffell says
If I won I would use it to see my grandparents one more time.
d schmidt says
An overnight stay near family!
Jeni T. says
While dinner does sound lovely, I think I might opt for a visit to the beach with the husband instead.
Amy W. says
I would use it towards a weekend getaway with my husband.
Sonya says
I would use it for a getaway
ron bartlett sr. says
i would use for dinner with my wife
David Coshow says
This is great!
Carol Klaman says
Would love to win for my grandkids, have 7 & 1 great grandkid, need $$ for Christmas gifts
Karen K says
tweeted coffeemamam/status/259668666172444672
dale bartlett says
a night away
Kaitlin miller says
Girls night in new Orleans !
Christal says
I would use it towards a second honeymoon
jaimee wood says
I’d use it on a night away with my husband- without kids!
Sarah says
I would use it for a trip to New York next year! Thanks for the chance to win this awesome giveaway, and best wishes to you for much continued success with your site! 🙂
Amy says
I would use it towards a romantic getaway and surprise my husband with it!!
Crystal N says
I would use it for when we travel out of state – it would be nice to have a pretty room instead of the not so classy rooms that are more in our price range 🙂
AB says
I would love o spend it on myself for something fun, but probably buy groceries instead as we must eat
Karen Howard says
I’d Probably stay in CT. or Vt. At a Marriot w/Jacuzzi for a Weekend Getaway to See The Sights & Dine Out!
Karen says
follow on facebook
Marcia Goss says
I would use it for a weekend getaway in Atlanta with my husband.
Monica Young says
I’m currently saving up to see an old friend in Seattle so I’d definitely use it for that trip. When and IF it happens :p thank you for the chance to win!
AB says
It will be groceries!
Karen says
We would use it for a stay at a Marriott Hotel… Thanks.
Kim says
We would use it for a hotel stay!
dale bartlett says
food
Alaine says
I’d go to Oklahoma City for the weekend w/ my husband.
Rust says
Trip to New Orleans!
Dannyel J says
If I won the gift card, I would have to use it toward one last weekend away with the kids somewhere fun before winter.
Tiffany says
If i won i would take my husband to the marriot marquis in times sqaure after a long day at work!!! Im sucha good wife ;))
Janice Milliken says
Can you spell P-A-R-T-Y? Whee!
AB says
buy lunch today
Amy C says
I would love to take my kids to the marriot in Atlanta. We have gone in to seen the lobby area and they were thrilled to see a fancy hotel and hope to stay there one day.
dale bartlett says
i would gostay south for awhile
sue hieber says
with 11 grandkids right here in wichita, i would use it to hide for a night or two. no housecleaning, no babysitting, and best of all, no diapers.
AB says
I would use it to do something fun with the GK
Sabrina Gomez says
This is awesome! I would use this gift to surprise my soon to be husband. We are getting married in three weeks! 😀
dale bartlett says
i would buy my awesome husband some-thing
Linda F says
I’d use it for a romantic dinner with my husband
AB says
Would spend it on FOOD
Judy Tilley says
i would use it for when we head south for the winter, as we motel it going down!
dale bartlett says
would like to win it first
Debbie Terry says
A dinner while I am staying there
kim davis says
I would very much enjoy it. on anything!!!!!
Cindy Ruoff says
I would use the eCard for a hotel stay in the Phoenix area – my Mom travels down from Northern AZ for chemo treatment almost every month and it is a 2-day process – this would be very helpful…
Judy Tilley says
My husband and I would truly enjoy this!
dale bartlett says
i would visit a nice warm place in the winter
Misses Giveaways says
I would use it during my anniversary weekend trip.
Judy Tilley says
use it for our trip south this winter!
dale bartlett says
a nice anniversary dinner
Rodney says
I’d use it to help build my kids outdoor playhouse I’m working on!
Dolores olsen says
I would use it for gas and lodging for a casino hopping trip
Marilyn Wons says
I would use the card in a Marriott gift shop
Jennifer Thompson says
I would use it to stay the night halfway with my my family while traveling to visit my parents. We stay at the Marriot in FL on our way when we go and this would help on the next trip home 🙂
tallcapp says
I would be able to stay at a Mariott during one of my granddaughter’s competitions.
Jannie Gomoll says
Would love to stay a a Marriott in Disney.
Jennifer Thompson says
A room to get away.
PatrickJ says
Spa treatment for my wife’s birthday at our local Marriott
stony says
we would use it to visit our new grandchild
dale bartlett says
use it for my 34th anniversary
terry shifflett says
I just got my wife of 24 years out of the hospital today. She had a 90% blockage in an artery to her heart, and she is doing well. I would love to take her to the coast of Galveston, and walk in the sand with my Sweetie, just like i promised her 24 years ago. This would make her day, as she has never been to the ocean.
dale bartlett says
i would do some-thing nice for my hubby. nov4th is our 34th anns.
Judy Tilley says
Great getaway!
lisa f says
a sexy, champagne filled staycation for the man and me:)
Jannie Gomoll says
Love to stay at a Marriott on our anniversary on Feb. 2nd.
Giveaway Gal says
I would use it on dinner or a spa treatment.
dale bartlett says
gas
Tiffany Hoyt says
I would use it for vacation.
Mike's Road Trip says
Hey Zippy Just curious if you were selected as one of the winning bloggers? I too participated in this campaign, but didn’t win. 🙁 http://www.mikesroadtrip.com/coinstar-marriott
Cheers,
Mike