Due to inflation, a lot of us are feeling the pinch right now and are in need of some extra cash. Selling some of your belongings on resale websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can be a good way to put some money back in your pocket. However, you have to be selective about which belongings you list.
Some used items like video game consoles don’t sell for anywhere near the original retail price, so parting with them may not be worth it. The same goes for daily essentials that you need to run your household, like pots and pans and your beloved crockpot. If you’ll just have to repurchase the items later when you’re back on your feet, it may be best to hold onto them.
To help you decide which belongings to purge for profit, here’s a list of five of the best items to resell. These items typically have good resale value, so it’s worth the effort to try and unload them.
Designer Clothing and Accessories
You may have trouble reselling no-name used clothing you bought at Target. But there’s a substantial market for gently used designer clothing and accessories, especially more luxurious brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Because high-end items cost a pretty penny when they’re brand new, there’s strong demand for more affordable used options.
If you don’t mind listing your own clothing and accessories, check out Poshmark. It’s a resale website that has a fashion-forward audience that recognizes the value of designer items and may be willing to pay a higher price. You can also outsource the sales process by shipping your items to an online consignor like TheRealReal or ThredUp, but you may not make as much money due to fees.
Designer items often hold sentimental value, so it can be hard to part with them. But if you’re in need of cash, this is a quick and easy way to make several hundred dollars in one fell swoop.
Collectibles
If you have trading cards, old coins, or china dolls laying around in the attic, you could be sitting on a pile of cash without knowing it. Believe it or not, collectors will pay a lot of money to get a coveted item that’s on their wishlist. A rare Samantha American Girl doll from 1986 recently sold for thousands.
I’ve also seen collectors pay several hundred dollars for a single piece of rare Rae Dunn pottery that originally retailed for around $20. You could potentially turn a profit by searching through those old boxes in your basement for sought-after collectibles like Beanie Babies, action figures, and Barbies.
Dried Lavender and Flowers
Even if you aren’t an avid gardener, you may have plants in your backyard that you can sell for extra cash. Lavender plants are often used in landscape designs to add color and texture, but it can also be sold for profit. You can harvest between four and seven bundles of lavender from each plant in the summer without killing it.
Air-dried lavender bunches typically sell for around $15, allowing you to make up to $105 per plant. All you have to do is turn the hang the bundles upside down in your kitchen and leave them to dry for about two weeks. If you only have regular flowers in your garden, you can also try to sell them fresh or dried.
To save time, you can set up a stand in your driveway where buyers can pick up and pay for their bundles using the honor system. Or you can find a commercial buyer who needs larger quantities of dried flowers or lavender. Try connecting with local businesses that produce soap or candles. You can also ask bakeries or caterers in your area if they need edible lavender. Brides and event planners may even be looking for dried flowers to make bouquets.
The best thing about selling perennial flowers from your landscaping is that you can repeat the process every year and build a low-effort passive income stream.
Hobby Supplies
Everyone has old supplies from hobbies they’ve long abandoned. If you never took that camping trip with your family-sized tent or used those power tools you bought, you’re not alone. But don’t throw good money after bad by continuing to hold onto your untouched gear. Although you hope you’ll use it again someday, chances are you never will, and you could use the money right now.
Unlike video game consoles and other tech products, high-quality hobby gear usually doesn’t become obsolete. Sometimes hobbyists actually prefer older gear because it’s made better than new equipment. I know many woodworkers who specifically search for old table saws and hand tools. Things like yarn and fishing poles don’t have a shelf-life either.
Although hobby supplies can often be resold for a decent price, you may have to put in some legwork to find the best buyer. Dedicated hobbyists are usually more willing to splash out on expensive gear. So you’ll probably get more bites by listing your gently used equipment on forums dedicated to that hobby. Many forums and Facebook Groups even have discussion boards set aside for buying and selling gear, which can be good places to advertise.
Antiques
It can be difficult to part with your antiques, especially if they’re family heirlooms that have been passed down through the generations. However, if you’re in a tight financial spot, selling one or two of these items may be better than taking on debt.
It can be stressful for the average person to try and maintain antique items. If you have young kids and dogs running around, you may be worried that your great grandma’s favorite vase will get smashed to pieces. You probably don’t wear your antique jewelry because you’re afraid you’ll lose it on a night out. Antique clothing and textiles are also notoriously difficult to preserve unless you have training on how to handle them.
Although these items are precious to you, they may be better off in the hands of a collector who knows how to care for them. Check with local antique dealers and see how much they’d be willing to pay for your item. There may also be auction houses in your area that can give you an estimate of what your family heirloom is worth. If you decide to sell, take pictures so you have something to remember the item by and show future generations.
Which types of belongings do you sell when you need some extra cash? Share your suggestions in the comments!
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.