Some Things Are Worth Keeping
Having a clear-out? You could be sitting on hundreds of dollars without even realizing it. Turns out certain things pick up in value if you keep them out of harm’s way. So before you start donating things, or god forbid throwing them away, take a look at this list. Here are 35 things that should never end up in the donation pile or the trash.
Vintage Electronics
If you have an old Walkman that works, you’re ahead of the game. Old tech like Walkmans, CD players and early gaming consoles like the Dreamcast have surged in value due to people’s sense of nostalgia. Stick what you have on eBay and you might find yourself collecting coins in real life, not just on the games.
First-Edition Books
Do you have a lot of old books that you want to get rid of? Well, before you do anything, make sure you check them all to see if they’re first editions. First editions of books like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sell for a pretty penny these days.
Cast Iron Cookware
Did you know, cast iron cookware has a massive fandom in the chef world? Old cast iron skillets from brands like Griswold or Wagner Ware are prized for their craftsmanship and cooking quality, and people will pay a lot of money for them.
Lego Sets
Lego has a huge adult fanbase and a lot of them are willing to spend big. Discontinued Lego sets can sell for hundreds or thousands on eBay – the Millennium Falcon set for example is a big seller. Even loose minifigures of popular characters (think Spider-Man or Wolverine) can sometimes be worth something.
Vinyl Records
Oh, you thought vinyl was over and done with? Think again. Albums from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, or even niche indie bands can sell for hundreds - sometimes thousands - especially if they're in good condition and have original artwork or inserts.
Handbags
Are you the sort of person who buys a lot of handbags and then forgets about them? Well, it may be time to go through them all and see how much they’re actually worth. Bags from brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes can appreciate in value over time. You might be sitting on a gold mine without realizing it.
Old Video Games
There’s a big market for old video games. Retro games for systems like NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and Playstation 1 are collector's items now, not just fun diversions. Games in original packaging, especially rare or unopened ones, can fetch hundreds or even thousands.
Pyrex and Fire-King Dishes
That colorful, vintage glassware your grandma used could be worth a lot today. Rare Pyrex and Fire-King patterns from the 1950s to 1970s have passionate collectors willing to pay top dollar for the stuff. Check your kitchen cupboards!
Comic Books
If you have a load of old comic books in your attic, you may be in luck. First appearances and early issues of major superheroes like Spider-Man, Batman, or X-Men are in high demand, especially if they’ve been kept in mint condition.
Concert T-Shirts
Never, ever throw away old concert t-shirts. Original band tees from the '70s, '80s, and '90s - especially from famous tours - can fetch hundreds of dollars online. Vintage Nirvana, Metallica, or Rolling Stones shirts are especially in demand.
Antique Tools
You wouldn’t have thought old tools would sell for much, would you? But they do. Old hand tools, especially those made before the 1950s, can be valuable to collectors and craftsmen, and they’re snapping them up on eBay.
Vintage Toys
Classic toys like GI Joe figures, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, and Star Wars action figures can be worth a lot, especially if they’re still in their original packaging. Go through your attic and if you find some old toys, look up their value before donating them.
Broken Pocket Watches
Were you cleaning out your grandfather’s stuff and found a broken pocket watch among his possessions? Even if it’s broken, collectors still go wild for pocket watches, especially if they have a gold or silver casing. Try consulting an expert to see how much your one is worth.
Mid-Century Furniture
If you’re lucky enough to have furniture from the ‘50s to ‘70s in your house, don’t even think about throwing it out. Some people really like furniture from that time period, and will pay a ton to own a piece.
Old Advertising Signs
Vintage metal or porcelain signs for soda, oil, tobacco, and other American-based brands can sell for big bucks. Coca-Cola and Texaco signs are particular favorites. And don’t worry if they’re rusty – collectors like the rust, it adds character.
Typewriters
Some people are absolutely obsessed with old typewriters. Famous actor Tom Hanks, for example, collects them! And though obviously there’s no guarantee a famous person will buy yours, you should still put it up for sale.
Jewelry
If you have jewelry lying around and it’s not the cheap plastic kind sold to kids, you could secretly be sitting on a goldmine. Before bagging up Grandma’s old jewelry and donating it, take it to an expert who will tell you how much it’s worth.
Old Cameras
Film cameras from brands like Nikon, and Canon are increasingly valuable, especially if they’re in good working order. Photography enthusiasts seek them out because photos have a totally different feel if they’re taken with an old camera.
Baseball Cards
Vintage baseball cards, especially rookie cards of Hall of Famers, can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If they’re in good condition and you have no emotional attachment to them, it’s time to start selling immediately.
Retro Sneakers
Some people absolutely love sneakers and they devote half their lives to collecting them. Rare Jordans, Nike or Adidas pairs are highly collectible. Some pairs resell for literally thousands, especially if they’re unworn or still in their original boxes.
Early Apple Products
Apple has a huge and devoted fan base, and they’re paying good money for early Apple products. Original Apple items - like the first iPhones, iPods, or vintage Mac computers - can sell for thousands, especially if they were never opened.
Rotary Phones
You might be tempted to throw away that old rotary phone, as you can’t possibly use it anymore – but think again. People are snapping them up to use as conversation pieces in their home decor. If you still have a rotary phone that’s a cool color or looks particularly unique, stick it on eBay.
Old Board Games
Classic board games like Monopoly, Clue, or Risk from decades past can fetch surprisingly high prices. Again, it’s all about the nostalgia factor. If you still have a Monopoly set with all the pieces intact, you might be able to sell it for real cash!
WWII Memorabilia
Never, ever throw out anything that looks like it was used in World War II. History buffs will pay top dollar for that stuff. Helmets, medals, and uniforms will all sell, even if they don’t look like they’re in particularly good condition.
Sewing Machines
There’s a lot goes on in the world of sewing machines that the average person isn’t privy to. Basically, some sewers actually prefer old sewing machines and they’re willing to pay for them. If you have an old one you’re not using, put it on eBay and see what happens.
Mechanical Watches
Watches are big business. Vintage mechanical watches - especially from brands like Rolex, Omega, or Seiko - can be worth thousands of dollars. Even lesser-known brands may hold more value than you think if the watch is well-made.
Fountain Pens
People don’t really use fountain pens anymore – or do they? Some people prefer them to regular modern ink pens, and are willing to pay to get their hands on a particularly good one. Even ones that have been used regularly will still sell.
Old Coins
Do you have a change jar that’s been sitting around in your house for decades? Now is the time to break into it. Even common-looking coins can be surprisingly valuable if they’re rare dates, mint errors, or made of precious metals. If you’re not sure about what you find, consult an expert.
Retro Kitchen Appliances
Good news if you bought a kitchen appliance a few decades ago and never got around to taking it out of the box. Vintage blenders, toasters, mixers, and coffee makers are trendy again, and people will pay good money for them, especially if they’re colorful or unusual-looking in any way.
Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorating is practically a sport to some people, and they’re delighted to buy up old-fashioned holiday decorations. Before you throw anything away from the holiday decoration box, always check the brand to see if they’re actually worth something.
Eyeglass Frames
People will collect all sorts of things, and one of those things is eyeglass frames. So if you have any lying around, don’t throw them out! Cat-eye, aviator, and horn-rimmed frames are especially popular with serious collectors, who love them for their retro style.
Rare Perfume Bottles
Once you’ve used up all the perfume in a bottle, you should never throw them away. Some collectors will pay a lot of money for a really beautiful perfume bottle. Have a look on eBay and see what similar bottles are going for. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Pokemon Cards
Remember when Pokemon cards conquered the playground in the ‘90s? That time has gone, but the cards still live on. If you encounter a pack of them in your attic, don’t you dare throw them away – some of them, especially the “shiny” ones, still sell for hundreds of dollars.
Vintage Fishing Gear
Is there a lot of old fishing gear up in your attic? Don’t throw it away, it might be worth something. Some people turn their love of fishing into a collecting hobby. Vintage fishing reels, lures, and rods -especially handmade or early 20th century ones – could go for a lot of money.
Early Cell Phones
First-generation mobile phones - the bulky kind from the '80s and early '90s - are now quirky collectibles for the young. Tech enthusiasts are snapping them up. So before you go to throw that old flip phone in the bin, check it out on eBay and see if you could actually get something for it.
