Was just having this conversation with a (recently ex) European. When I in the US (regrettably) end up with coins I dump them in a jar when I get home and periodically bring them in for redemption in "real money." Doesn't really work when you have $1 and $2 coins. Mostly I avoid using cash on a day to day basis.
I dump my coins in a jar when I get home and we have $1 and $2 coins (Australia). It's really not that big a deal having your minimum purchase price of things be $5. Your coin jar will get >$1000 in it reasonably quickly too which is nice ;)
