Want a quick way to clear clutter and earn some extra money ? There are probably a surprising number of items just lying around your house collecting dust that could make you a few dollars — or more — if you decide to sell them.
As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Want to see what you could earn with the items in your junk drawer? Here are 15 surprising household items you can sell for actual cash.
Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially 1. Furniture
Furniture is one of the easiest items to sell secondhand because there’s always someone looking to spruce up their space. Case goods, like dressers, tables, or chairs, sell well because they also make great furniture-flipping projects for DIYers.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Legos
If your kids have grown up, and there’s no one using the multitudes of Legos that are sitting around your house, you can probably sell them on eBay. Complete sets still in their box will sell the best, but you can also make money on random Lego parts sold by the pound.
3. Ice cream spades
Before there were ice cream scoops, there were ice cream spades. These charming items still have a strong appeal among those who love nostalgic kitchen goods. If you have one by a company called Vernco, then you might have a $20 vintage kitchen tool on your hands.
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4. Handbags
While designer handbags are where the real money is, any handbag made of quality materials could sell at your neighborhood consignment store, on eBay, or even on reselling platforms like Poshmark. Just make sure you don’t leave a wallet or cash lingering in a pocket!
5. Lamp finials
One of the smallest items on this list is the lamp finial. The tiny piece that goes on top of where your lamp attaches to your lampshade is actually a sought-after decor item. If you have solid brass finials that you’re not using, try listing them on Etsy or eBay.
6. Books
Unless you have a rare or out-of-print title, books won’t fetch a hefty sum, but you can make a few bucks on old books and textbooks. You’ll at least make enough to buy yourself a few new books at a used bookstore.
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Baby items are a hot commodity on the reselling market. If you scroll through Facebook Marketplace, you’ll see that people are selling everything from cribs and strollers to clothes and toys. Because these items are only used for a short period of time, people often try to resell them to make space for the next phase of life.
8. Power tools
If you bought a power drill thinking you might be the next great DIYer and quickly realized that’s not your lot in life, don’t fret. Power tools typically sell well on Facebook Marketplace, where other would-be DIYers are looking for a deal before they jump into full-price items.
9. Exercise equipment
Exercise equipment, like stationary bikes or Pilates reformers, are often sold secondhand after their owners realize they don’t use them as often as they’d hoped or they take up too much room. Looking for a Peloton? Go to Facebook Marketplace first.
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10. Old canning jars
Whether you’re appealing to couples looking for decor for their wedding or people actually looking to pickle and preserve the harvest from their garden, old canning jars are often in-demand on secondhand marketplaces.
11. Golf balls
Despite their small size, golf balls can be expensive. That’s why there’s a huge secondhand market for them. If you have a collection of golf balls on hand or you pick them up when you’re out walking in the park, you can try to sell them by the bucket.
12. Toys
Similar to other children’s items, toys are also easy to sell secondhand. Kids are always growing bored of the toys in their homes, and parents are always looking to offload them. If you’re in the right secondhand Facebook groups, you can get rid of outgrown toys and earn enough to restock the toy chest.
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If you’ve found that you don’t use the Polaroid camera you bought years ago, there’s probably someone out there who’s looking for that exact model. Try listing it on eBay to see what you get. If you have film to sell along with it, even better.
14. Home decor
It’s easy to get in the habit of regularly switching out home decor to give your space a fresh new look. But unless you have unlimited closet space, you could find that you’re short on places to put it all. Luckily, you can usually sell good-condition home decor on Facebook Marketplace or at a consignment store.
15. Cars
Now it’s time for the big ticket item. If you have a car taking up space in your garage, sell it! Even if the car itself isn’t in great condition, you can typically make some money by selling it for parts.
Bottom line
Not sure if the item you have on hand is actually worth anything? One trick to quickly assess the value of an item is to take a picture with Google Lens and see what it’s selling for online on platforms like eBay and Etsy.
While it’s not a foolproof method, it will give you a glimpse into the resale market for items similar to yours and help you determine if you can get ahead financially by offloading it.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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