How to Make Money From Unwanted Stuff in Your Home

By: Julia Mehalko | Published: Mar 03, 2024

Looking for a way to make some extra money? Try selling some of the old stuff you have strewn around your home. Selling old — or vintage — items online has become an easy way to make money for many. For some, it’s become a lucrative side hustle.

What you sell online doesn’t have to be incredibly old. Items from the 1990s are considered vintage now, and even products from the early 2000s are being bought up in droves. So, take a closer look around your home and see if you have anything that could sell online.

Sell Old Kitchenware

Vintage kitchenware has become incredibly popular online. As a result, many are seeking to buy items from the 1950s and 1960s. You may not realize some of the kitchenware you inherited from your grandparents is now going for hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars.

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Four piles of different colored plates and bowls on a white shelf.

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Some vintage glassware has become expensive in the resell game. However, vintage Pyrex is by far the most expensive kitchenware being resold online. Fox News reported that one bowl was sold for $2,000!

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Auction Vintage Cookbooks

Old cookbooks can also go for quite a lot when sold online. It really just depends on the type of cookbook — and the edition. For example, first-edition cookbooks of beloved cooks, such as Julia Child, will always sell for thousands of dollars.

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A close-up view of many books on a shelf, with a cookbook zoomed in on.

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However, even regular old cookbooks may sell well, especially if they’re rare or hard to find. Take a look through the old cookbooks you have. Then, go online and see if there’s a demand for it.

Go Through Your Old T-Shirts

Who doesn’t like a cool vintage t-shirt? If you have any band t-shirts from the 1990s, you could make some extra bucks by selling them online. Sometimes, you could even get over $100.

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A blonde woman sits on a bed wearing a white vintage t-shirt.

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T-shirts with cool retro designs will also sell well online. The best vintage tees are still in good condition, even if they are faded. You might even find some demand for early 2000s t-shirts here. However, older t-shirts often sell better.

Consider Selling Designer Clothes

Do you have any designer clothes you’re looking to get rid of? Resales of high-end clothing always do well, even if the clothes aren’t that old or vintage.

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A person going through a rack of clothes.

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However, vintage designer clothing sells very well — especially if it’s a 90s designer item. The 1990s continue to thrive when it comes to public opinion, so many younger consumers will splurge to own something from that decade. Of course, any vintage designer clothing from any era will likely bring in a good amount, especially if it’s in good condition.

Auction Off Vintage Toys

If you have any vintage toys from the 1970s to the 1990s, you could earn a pretty penny by selling them. People love buying these types of toys, as many collect them.

Two rows of vintage toy cars on white shelves.

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Toys that aren’t damaged and still work as they should will always sell for the most money. If you have your toy still in the box, this could get you hundreds of dollars, depending on what the specific toy is. For example, classic Star Wars toys from back in the day can sell for a whole lot.

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List Old Games on Online Marketplaces

Vintage games also often sell well online. If there is a demand for a hard-to-find old game, you can earn quite a lot. Even board games, such as a first edition of Monopoly, can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

A row of various old vintage video games on a wooden surface.

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If you have any old video games, make sure they work before selling them. If your game is still sealed and has never been played, you could earn more than a few bucks. For example, a sealed 1987 copy of “The Legend of Zelda” may sell for more than $700,000.

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Sell Vinyl Records From Back in the Day

Vinyl records are back. Sales of new vinyl records have continued to rise over the past few years, and it hasn’t slowed down since. As a result, the quest to own first-edition vinyl records — or even just old vinyl records — has increased.

A close-up of a bunch of vintage vinyl records beside a lamp on a table.

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Certain bands and musicians will always do better than others. If you have a collection of old vinyl records that you don’t want anymore, you could bring in some serious dough. The Beatles’ vinyl records always do well. The first pressing of the band’s “White Album” sold for almost $800,000.

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See If You Have Any Rare Coins

If you’ve ever watched the show “Antiques Roadshow,” then you know how pricy rare coins and currency can unexpectedly end up being. You may not even realize that your old jar of coins you’ve had forever contains a rare coin.

A clear mason jar on its side on the ground, with many different coins spilling out of it.

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Coins from years with historical significance can often sell well. As more years pass, more coins from the past may become even more valuable to younger generations.

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Finding the Right Online Marketplace

There are so many options on the internet to choose from if you’re looking to sell vintage items. It’s important to find the right marketplace for you, and for what you’re selling.

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For example, eBay remains a great place for various items. However, if you’re selling vintage clothing, you might have a better experience on platforms like Poshmark or Depop.

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Discover How Much Your Item Is Worth

It’s essential to understand how much you can sell your item before you put it up for sale online. Doing proper research to see what similar items went for in the past helps greatly. However, it might also help to obtain some professional appraisal.

A close-up of a box of vinyl records with a Johnny Cash vintage record in the front.

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Platforms like eBay also allow you to auction off your item, which may be helpful if you want to get the most out of the product and aren’t sure where to start.

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Take Good Photos of Your Item

As you start to upload your vintage item listing on the platform of your choosing, make sure you take good photos of it. Taking multiple photos in good lighting is beneficial. You want potential buyers to know what they’re getting.

A man taking a photo using a Nikon camera.

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When you upload this picture for your item listing, also remember to write up a detailed description. If you know the specific year this item is from, include it. If not, give an era or decade.

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