I have this horrible habit of saving all my change; I put all the pennys in a separate jar from the silver change I have been doing this sh*t for almost ten years now. I look at it as challenge to see how long it will take me to fill up one of those 2 gallon mayonnaise jars and so far over the past ten years I have filled up 6 of them, they are so goddamn heavy I can't even budge them, and they are taking up space but I can't bring myself to turn the silver into green. I don't know what's wrong with me is this sh*t normal?
I think of all that change as a "security blanket" in case I get broke and need some money. I know it sounds stupid but its one of my quirks.
You need to get off your lazy bum and take all 6 of those jars and have the money converted into cash...then like you said - since you are worried about having some extra change/cash for emergencies - get a fireproof/water tight lockup box and put the cash in that box and lock it up - put it somewhere where you might look for emergency items...but not somewhere where you can see it everyday. Make sure you wifey and kids don't know the combo...cause they will take the cash and wanna spend it. If it is just pennies...you know 1 million pennies makes 1 million dollars! If its all quarters...4 quarters make a dollar...do the math!
I think the most that I have ever saved up - was 10 dollars worth...course what did I do - I took it to the bank and got the cash and spent that cash in the same day. LOL.
I put the money in my savings account so hopefully by this time next year I will still have it barring any dire emergencies.