When you need some quick cash, selling things you own is one of the easiest hustles out there.
These days, you also have plenty of online and local selling options. So, you can potentially make hundreds or even thousands of dollars in a pinch if you're willing to let go of some assets.
My family and I have sold plenty of things in the past. And that's why in this post, I'm covering some of the best things to sell so you can earn quick money when you need it most.
The Best Things To Sell To Make Money
Below, I'm covering some popular categories of things you can sell. And afterwards, I'm going to list some of my favorite selling platforms and tricks you can use to maximize sales.
1. Clothing
When you are looking for things to sell to make money, you often don’t have to look further than your own closet.
We all have clothing that we no longer wear or no longer fits, so this is a great place to start. Some of the most popular brands to sell include:
- Adidas
- Chanel
- Coach
- Gucci
- Old Navy
- Michale Kors
- Nike
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Under Armour
These designer brands often fetch the highest prices. But you can also sell gently used clothing or vintage wear.
Poshmark or eBay are great online selling options. But clothing is also a popular thing to sell on Facebook Marketplace. In fact, I regularly sell used clothing from my growing teenage son to local consignment shops and on websites like Poshmark, ThreadUp and Mercari each month.
2. Jewelry
Have a wedding ring or engagement ring from a relationship that you’re no longer in? Or, do you have old gold, silver, or designer watches that you inherited that you don’t have a use for?
If the answer is yes, you can always try selling these pieces for fast cash.
Pawn shops are one fast option to start selling. Alternatively, you can also sell your jewelry and watches online with secure platforms like Worthy if you're willing to wait a bit longer.
I like Worthy since it sells pieces through online jewelry auctions. You get to work with an auction manager to decide on pricing, and Worthy handles everything from photographing your pieces to finalizing sales.
You can also try selling on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp, but online sales generally fetch higher prices.
3. Electronics
Electronics are part of our daily life, and these high-end items can often easily be sold for cash. If you need money now, here are some of the electronics to sell or pawn:
- Video games and gaming consoles (especially an Xbox or PS5)
- iPads and tablets
- Cameras
- Smart TV’s
- Smartphones
- Laptops and computers
- Computer monitors
- Smartwatches
- Speakers
- Apple Airpods or any Apple product
When at all possible, be sure to include any accessories including chargers. Including the manuals is great as well if you still have them.
If you sell electronics locally, let the buyer test them out as well to know that they're working so you don't have any unfortunate surprises.
4. Toys
Children outgrow items quickly, and if you have kids, you likely have toys that your kids no longer play with. So, why not sell these items for a quick buck?
Listing toys on marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace or eBay is a great place to start. Alternatively, you can host a garage sale to sell old toys and a variety of other things around the house.
Some of the most popular toys you can sell include:
- Toy kitchens, tables, and playsets
- Playhouses like Little Tikes and Step2
- Riding toys
- Beanie Babies and other plush toys
- Trikes and bikes
- Wooden playsets and playground equipment
- Board games
- Lego sets
- Name brand toys like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Thomas the Train
- Nerf toys
5. Furniture
Furniture is another one of the best things to sell, especially if you have complete sets or pieces that are in great condition.
Furniture can be expensive to purchase new, so there's a lucrative market for quality used furniture on marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
From beds to dressers to couches, tables and entertainment centers, most used furniture items are in demand if they are clean and in good condition.
Just be sure to disclose if you smoke in your home or whether you have pets. And if your furniture isn't in great condition, consider some DIY repair jobs or touching them up a bit before listing for sale.
Don’t have furniture of your own to sell? You can also look for free or very cheap items on the curb or at garage sales and thrift stores. With a little TLC, you can start a new flipping side hustle and turn a nice profit.
Extra Reading – The Top Items To Flip.
6. Books
Books are another popular thing to sell to make money, and this is also a great way to fund a reading habit if you regularly buy new books.
Book collections and college textbooks are particularly easy to sell. In fact, one of Tom's college side hustles involved flipping college textbooks each semester for a nice profit.
7. Baby Gear
Babies grow quickly, and many of their items and clothing barely get used at all after a few months. If you have baby gear that you no longer need, this can be some of the best things to sell for quick money.
Some popular pieces of gear you can sell include:
- Cribs
- Pack and plays
- High chairs
- Changing tables
- Rockers
- Swings and bouncers
- Toys
- Clothing
- Strollers
- Wagons
Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp are how I'd begin selling, but you can also use Craigslist or host a garage sale.
8. Collectibles
A good collection can be worth a lot of money and even be a reliable investment that appreciates over time. So, if you're willing to let go of your collectibles, you can probably make some nice cash.
Some of the hottest collectible markets right now include:
- Stamps
- Old coins
- Funko Pops
- Trading cards like Pokemon, Yugioh, and Magic The Gathering cards
- Barbies
- Hot Wheels
- Legos
- Comic books
- Vintage records
- Action figures
- Lunch boxes
- Sports cards, especially baseball cards
Just make sure your collectibles are graded and in original packaging if possible to fetch the highest price from other collectors.
You can also read our post on the top things to sell for $1,000 or even more for some more high-ticket items you can potentially sell.
9. Sports Equipment & Memorabilia
Have sports equipment you no longer use? Why not keep it from collecting dust and make quick money selling it?
I've done this in the past and so has Tom, and you'd be amazed at how much value new and used sports equipment can have. Some popular pieces you can consider selling include:
- Golf clubs
- Weights
- Exercise bikes & equipment
- Pelotons
- Treadmills
- Fishing, camping and hunting gear
- Football and hockey pads
- Nets
You can also make a lot of money selling sports memorabilia. Items like vintage jerseys, bobbleheads, autographed merchandise, and sports cards are some prime pieces you can sell.
SidelineSwap is an excellent online marketplace you can sell with. But local classified websites also work well.
10. Kitchen Gadgets & Appliances
Have kitchen items you no longer need? You may be able to sell them for cash while getting rid of some of your kitchen clutter.
Several appliances, dishes, and kitchen items you can sell to make money include:
- High end appliances like Kitchen-aid and Cuisinart
- Quality cookware like Le Creuset
- Air Fryers
- Coffee makers, grinders, and espresso makers
- Food processors
- Microwaves
- Deep freezers
- Major appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers
Make sure you clean your appliances and ensure they're working before listing them for sale. If possible, include all manuals and any accessories.
Extra Reading – What To Flip With $1,000.
11. Used Bikes
Whether they are traditional bikes, electric bikes, or exercise bikes, there is a great market for selling used bikes.
Children’s bikes and trikes also sell well if you have bikes your kids have grown. You can also sell scooters, electric scooters, and hoverboards if they are in good working condition.
12. Seasonal Decorations
People love the holidays and any reason to decorate. If you have seasonal decorations that you no longer use, you might be able to sell them for quick cash, especially during the holiday season.
Here are some seasonal decor items to sell:
- Artificial trees
- Wreaths
- Outdoor decor and inflatables
- Garland
- Lights
- Ornaments
- Faux fireplaces and mantels
- Stockings
- Halloween and Easter decorations
13. Digital Printables
If you're willing to get creative, another lucrative category of things to sell for money are digital printables.
People sell all sorts of digital printables like planners, stickers, organizers, budget sheets, and even artwork. And you don't need to be a graphic design pro to get started.
In fact, digital publishing software like Canva has made it easier than ever before to create custom designs and sell them online via Etsy, Shopify and other platforms.
Examples of printables you can consider selling include:
- Coloring pages
- Party games (baby showers, bridal showers, etc)
- Planner pages
- Digital stickers
- To-do lists
- Grocery lists
- Budget planners
I’ve been doing this casually as a side hustle and have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of passive income selling digital printables can provide.
Tom also did this with an Etsy print on demand shop back in college. With the right designs, you can turn a printable side hustle into a full-on business, or at least a decent side gig.
My post on how to earn passive income on Etsy covers this idea in more detail if you're curious.
14. Vehicles
If you need $500 in cash, $1,000, $5,000 or more, you may be able to get that ASAP by selling a vehicle.
This can include cars, trucks, motorcycles, dirt bikes, or even more niche vehicles like ATVs and riding mowers.
You can even sell vehicles that no longer run. Used and junk car buyers are around pretty much every city. And you can even find companies that come to your home to buy your vehicle from you for fast cash.
15. Tools
Tools are generally expensive to purchase new. So, they're a popular thing you can sell for money if you need some quick cash.
Some easy used tools you can sell include:
- Power tools
- Tool boxes
- Complete tool sets
- Specialty tools
- Wrenches
- Brand name tools
- Yard tools like lawnmowers, snow blowers, and trimmers
Brands like Bosch, Craftsman, Black & Decker, DeWalt, and Milwaukee can sell particularly quickly since they're so well known. And you can also sell accessories like tool carts and bags.
16. Instruments
Instruments are another easy item to sell, and Tom has made money in the past by selling acoustic guitars. But you can sell just about any instrument as long as it's in good condition.
Guitars, pianos, saxophones, and violins can sell well since they're more popular. The same goes with drum kits and accessories.
Whether you sell locally to a music store or online on Facebook Marketplace, you have plenty of options. Just make sure you research resale prices and price competitively so you can make a fast sale.
17. Sneakers
Got brand name kicks in good or mint condition? Well, you can actually sell sneakers and make some decent money, especially with the right brands.
People sell sneakers like Jordans, Nike, and Yeezys all the time. And there's actually a massive sneaker resale marketplace where people make money by flipping limited-edition footwear.
18. One-Time Wears
One final category of things to sell to make money are one-time wears.
People often purchase things for special occasions that inevitably end up collecting dust in their closets. So, why not search your own house for these items and give them a new home?
Whether it’s a wedding dress, tuxedo, prom dress, or something else you won't wear again, make money selling it and give it a second life by passing it along to someone else.
My Favorite Selling Tips
Now that I've covered some of the best items to sell, here are some of my favorite tips for sellers you can use to make faster sales:
- Know Your Prices: Take time to research what other sellers are listing similar items for and price your listings competitively.
- Take Quality Photos: Upload numerous product photos if you're selling online. Also take photos from different angles or of the product being used.
- Mention Product Details: Mentioning information like brand, size, condition, and if you live in a pet or smoke-free home helps buyers make better decisions.
- Communicate With Buyers: Always respond to buyer's questions quickly so you can lock in a sale before they move on.
- Watch Out For Scams: Unfortunately, scams can happen in the resale industry. My advice is to stick to dealing in cash or with trusted payment methods if you use online marketplaces. This article from the FTC covers tips for how to avoid scams when buying or selling things online.
Tom also made a video that covers some of his favorite selling apps as well as tips for buyers to avoid scams. So, check it out for even more advice on how you can make your first sale.
Extra Reading – What To Sell For $500.
Final Thoughts
I hope my list of the best things to sell to make money helps you earn some quick cash while decluttering your home.
At the end of the day, there are plenty of categories of items you can sell. And you also have plenty of online and in-person selling tools to leverage as well.
And if you like the process of selling, you could even start a retail arbitrage hustle and begin buying and flipping merchandise.
Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Want more ways to make money? Checkout:
