Art, obsession, and identity
Most of us have accumulated a bunch of stuff over time that gets stored away and forgotten. And when it's time to declutter, you might have the urge to dump everything or just keep it because of sentimental value. What you might not realize is that many of the items you have stored away can be worth a lot of money.
Click through this gallery to find out what can bring in the big bucks for you!
Some brand-name sneakers can be worth a lot of money. For instance, a pair of 1972 Nike Waffle Racing Flat "Moon Shoes" were sold for US$475,500, becoming the most expensive pair of sneakers ever auctioned. And even if your pairs aren't worth that much, they still have value.
Got some musical instruments sitting around? Then you might be able to sell them. If it's a Stradivari violin or a Fender Stratocaster guitar, it could be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions!
A lamp doesn't even need to have its original shade to be valuable, but it can increase its worth. Look out for manufacturing labels like Tiffany, Steuben, Stickley, Louis Poulsen, and Stiffel.
No matter the brand name or the style, you can always make some money with denim clothing. So dig out your vintage blue jeans and other denim apparel, and start counting the cash.
Popularized in the 1970s, these massive stereos are still around today, with vintage models having great monetary value. The classics usually go for a couple of hundred dollars, if not even thousands.
Vinyl records have made a major comeback in recent years. And people are crazy to get their hands on good condition copies of classics, which could bring you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
If you have an old cowboy hat from the 'Urban Cowboy' (1980) era or earlier, it could get you as much as US$150 on eBay. Just make sure it's in good condition and with its original band.
Pyrex-patterned glassware brings back a lot of nostalgia of our moms and grandmothers cooking in their kitchens. If you want to pass it on, you could get a few thousand dollars for it. Really!
If you find a treasure trove of old childhood toys, you probably just want to keep it all for pure sentimentality. But go through them and just keep the ones that mean the most. The rest could be easily sold.
Money can be made from those vintage dresses boxed away in your closet, especially from the '80s or earlier. Designer brands are more valuable, and everything should be in good condition.
Don't be quick to throw away old newspapers. If you happen to have one printed after a day that changed history, like The New York Times edition covering the 1929 stock market crash, they could be worth thousands.
Older cameras can be super valuable, as long as they're in good working condition. If you've come across a Rolleiflex or Leica, then you're in luck, as they can resell for upwards of US$1,000. A mid-century Polaroid can land you US$100.
Gold isn't the only valuable jewelry item. Depending on how it was made, who made it, and what it was made with, costume jewelry can easily be worth hundreds of dollars.
There's a hot market for vintage board games and handheld video games. An original copy of Super Mario Bros. sold at auction for US$100,150, while a 1933 edition of Monopoly Atlantic City went for US$146,500!
As long as it's in working order, you can sell that earlier-generation cell phone. But much older cell phones, like those 'brick' models, can command up to thousands in the collectable market.
Take your time to see if you have any gold jewelry tangled up somewhere. These are always worth something, and can be sold at most pawn shops.
Even if e-books are hugely popular, some printed books can fetch hundreds of dollars. In general, a first edition of a popular book in good condition will bring in the most money. A signed copy is worth even more.
These ancient computers might not look like they're worth anything, but they could bring in a lot of money, especially if it's an Apple 1 or Apple II. Apple 1s are especially prized, and one was sold in 2019 for more than US$470,000!
Unfortunately, you probably won't find a million-dollar painting in your storage room. But sometimes those old canvases are worth more than you imagined.
Apothecary and perfume bottles, especially if they're in rarer colors like purple and gold, can go for hundreds of dollars, so check them before you dump them.
Rare coins can be worth big money, like the Flowing Hair Silver/Copper Dollar 1794/95, which was auctioned for US$10 million. Even circulated coins can be sold at auction for more than US$5,000.
Vintage knives are selling for upwards of US$2,000 on eBay, with handmade cutting tools and those with carbon blades highly prized. And if your old knife isn't worth anything, you can give it new life by visiting a knife sharpener.
If you have an old sweeper sitting around forgotten, depending on the make and model it could bring in hundreds of dollars. Especially if it's those vintage ones from the '50s and '60s.
Quality antique and vintage furniture can be worth thousands of dollars. It's not a bad idea to get older pieces appraised before they go in the junk pile.
If you have old cereal boxes lying around, take a closer look before throwing them in the recycling bin. Some people are paying up to US$1,500 on eBay for certain vintage boxes.
These cool old trunks can put some money in your hands. In general, French-made trunks can sell for US$2,000, while an average one produced in America might go for a couple of hundred dollars.
Dig out that old quilt your great-grandmother had, as it can be sold. Antique quilts in great condition with a verified history can be worth big bucks.
Vintage kitchen paraphernalia is a hot commodity in the collectibles market, especially cast iron skillets. You can sell pans from Griswold and other makers for hundreds of dollars.
People might be interested in purchasing your postcards, especially if they're old, rare, and in good condition. The world's most expensive postcard, according to Guinness World Records, was from 1840 and was sold in 2002 for more than US$45,000.
Source: (Women's Health)
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From old toys to kitchen knives, you could be earning good money with these items
Things you have stored away that could be worth a lot of money
LIFESTYLE Tips
Most of us have accumulated a bunch of stuff over time that gets stored away and forgotten. And when it's time to declutter, you might have the urge to dump everything or just keep it because of sentimental value. What you might not realize is that many of the items you have stored away can be worth a lot of money.
Click through this gallery to find out what can bring in the big bucks for you!