Many people make the mistake of holding on to valuable items they don’t want or need. If you look through your drawers or cabinets, you likely have one or more expensive possessions you’ll never use again or are holding on to for nostalgia.
Yet, that expensive item gathering dust could provide the money you need to make new memories, such as a dream vacation. It could even fund a personal goal, such as a mortgage down payment or completing a professional course.
Whatever your goals in life, a little more cash in your bank or pocket could help you achieve them at a quicker rate. Here are the four best items to sell to make extra money.
1. Jewelry
Most people own at least one piece of expensive jewelry, such as a silver bracelet, a pearl necklace, or a designer watch. Of course, some items of jewelry you might not want to sell, such as your engagement and/or wedding ring. Yet, you might feel comfortable parting with other expensive items in a jewelry box.
For example, you might be more than happy to sell your Cartier watch to boost your finances. A jewelry buyer will likely accept designer pieces in various conditions, from brand-new to faulty. It’s a quick, hassle-free way to grow your bank balance.
2. Retro Gadgets
Almost everyone has at least one used gadget sitting in a drawer or cabinet. Yet, one person’s trash is another’s treasure, which is why you should blow off the dust and put it up for sale. You might think a broken smartphone or an ancient computer is worthless, but you can trust someone is searching for it online.
Specific retro computers, consoles, devices, and games might even be worth a substantial sum of money. For example, if you have the first iPhone in good or mint condition, it could fetch $1,000 or more on the likes of eBay. Also, Etsy has listed a Sony Walkman in good condition for more than $1,300.
3. Quality Photographs
If you class yourself as an amateur photographer, you could turn your hobby into a profitable side hustle. Many stock photo websites are happy to pay you each time someone buys one of your images, which could provide a regular revenue stream.
The following sites might be happy to pay money for your photos:
- Shutterstock
- Alamy
- 500px
- Fotomoto
Of course, you shouldn’t upload photographs of yourself and your friends, but you could make money from high-quality shots of a stunning landscape, object, or specific setting.
4. Rare or Valuable Books
If you have many books deteriorating in a drawer or on a bookshelf, allow them to go to a more loving home by putting them up for sale. If you have an old textbook, a rare comic, or a first edition of a famous novel, you could potentially sell the book for thousands of dollars.
For example, a first edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is worth approximately $500,000. Also, a pristine first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone sold for $471,000 in 2021. For this reason, you shouldn’t be afraid to explore your bookshelves to identify if you’re holding on to a rare or valuable book.
