It can be hard to predict what old things will come back in style. But once a new trend starts, your old junk can easily skyrocket in value. If you’re the type who likes to avoid spring cleaning, you may have stuff lying around that’s worth money. Take a look at these eight things in your home which might be worth more than you realize.
“If you have lots of junk lying
around your home, look for items
that may be worth money.”
1. Video Games
Old video games are making a comeback in a big way, with popular retro games going for prices way beyond the original price tags. Nintendo games bring in a lot of cash, with Starcraft for the Nintendo 64 able to fetch between $200 and $500. PlayStation has also seen an uptick in gamers looking for older games, including Uncharted 2: Fortune Hunter for Play Station 3. This rare edition is estimated to be worth between $9,500 and $12,000.
2. Pokémon Cards
Were you a budding Pokémon master as a kid? If so, you may still have your card collection stashed away. Some of the complete sets can sell for hundreds of dollars online while ultra-rare cards can be worth thousands. One example of this is the first edition holographic Charizard, estimated to be worth around $12,000. Keep in mind the value of your cards will not only depend on what they depict but also their condition. Cards that are mint or completely sealed can fetch even more money.
3. Action Figures
Popular action figures from the 1980s, including Transformers, G.I. Joe and He-Man, can catch a decent price when resold. The original Skeletor figure — part of the He-Man comics and animated series — is considered one of the most popular toys ever. While they were originally sold for a price of $10 to $25, they can now fetch around $650 when in mint condition and with the original packaging.
4. Old Coins
Certain rare or old coins can be worth a lot of money. One example of this is the 2005 Kansas Quarter, which has a defect where the state’s motto reads, “In God We Rust,” instead of the more familiar, “In God We Trust.” Thanks to the blunder, one of these quarters can be worth more than $50. If you ever want to learn more about a coin you’ve found, search for the mint mark, letters which signify where the coin originated from. Common mint marks include “P” for Philadelphia and “S” for San Francisco.
5. Boy Scout Memorabilia
Any collector will say you can fetch a pretty penny for the right type of Boy Scouts of America memorabilia. The pieces worth the most are those with the official Cub, Sea and Air Scout markings, with items ranging from $8 to nearly $1,200. One of the most valuable collector’s pieces is the Boy Scout coin bank, which was crafted in the early 1900s and is currently worth more than $2,600.
6. Cell Phones
With technology advancing so rapidly, most old cell phones aren’t worth a dime. People are looking for the newest and shiniest, smartphones that can access the internet from anywhere in the world. But a few old phones are worth quite a bit of money. One example is the Nokia 8110 — a phone released back in 1996 nicknamed the “banana phone.” Today, it’s one of the few phones you can easily resell. Collectors are willing to pay $500 for an unused model while pre-owned phones can be sold for $55 to $200.
7. Vintage Advertisements
Antique signs, including vintage advertisements, can fetch quite a bit of money in the antique market. Old signs can collect a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars, especially when branded with a reputable business. Popular with collectors are Coca-Cola signs, with one illuminated sign from the 1950s selling for $1,000. Another example is the Campbell’s Soup porcelain sign, which sold at auction in 2015 for $2,750.
8. VHS Tapes
If you like to frequent yard sales or flea markets, you’ve probably seen the stacks of unwanted VHS tapes. Like many, this may lead you to assume that tapes have no value. But certain old tapes, especially originals released by Disney, can have a shockingly high price tag. The Lion King, an instant classic, can fetch $1,500 for a first edition tape, while the less popular Sleeping Beauty is valued at $50.
“Stuff bought just a decade
or two ago can be worth
much more than you
originally paid.”
How to Turn Your Junk Into Cash
If you have lots of junk lying around your home — whether stored in the basement, stuffed in the attic or making itself at home in a storage unit — look for items that may be worth money. Stuff bought just a decade or two ago can be worth much more than you originally paid. Learn more about the common items above and how much they’re worth.
Have you turned your junk into cash?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
About the Author
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more! Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
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