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What don’t you like about keeping your house organized and your extra money in the bank?

Key Point

• Selling things you no longer need is good for both your bank account and your brain.
• People pay top dollar for nostalgia.
• Search old board games, toys, records and more to find hidden money.

A recent move prompted my husband and I to edit the basement. We spent days looking through toys, old electronics that looked like they were in the 90’s, books, and tons of books. We came across a huge collection of stamps lovingly curated by my father, a few small tables, and holiday home decor. We’ve never been camping before, so the last find was interesting.

We were in a rush to get our house on the market, so it never occurred to us to sell the odds and ends we had spent decades with. Not because I’m sentimental (anything but my dad’s stamp collection).

It’s a good thing I’m not overly sentimental about things because our moving company lost a lot of our stuff. Some are between homes in Illinois. His two boxes that weren’t shown were filled with Pyrex glassware, convenient glass containers that have been a staple in American kitchens since 1915.

Having slowly collected Pyrex over the years, I had no idea how much it would cost to replace. Just today I checked eBay and found his set of 3 of his Pyrex bowls for sale for $200. Already used. bowl was used.

And jumped down the rabbit hole trying to find other daily necessities that might be worth the money. Here are some of the ones I found.

1. Toys

A nude 1960s headless Barbie doll in a box somewhere is worth up to $25 on eBay. headless.

A 1960s Barbie doll with a head but no clothes is worth about $75.

The 1990s Polly Pocket Doll, 1995’s Cinderella Castle for $94, is a very popular treasure for some.

And if you’re a kid in the ’70s and still own a set of Klik Klak crackers (“accidentally” hit your brother), a cool $60 price for a fun/potentially deadly toy can be expected.

2. Board games

Board games are huge in the resale world. A few years ago, an original copy of the 1933 edition of Monopoly Atlantic City sold for $146,500. Here are some other old games that put a little extra money into the owner’s bank account.

• 1966 version of Lost in Space 3D action fan game: $340 at auction
• 1981 Dark Tower Game: $580
• 71 board games from 1969: $900

3. Video games

Over the years, I’ve bought quite a few, but video games have never been my jam. Back when I was buying it for birthdays and Christmas presents, I never dreamed Mario Kart 64 would cost hundreds of dollars. According to Wall St. Watchdog, Super Nintendo games, PlayStation 4, Chrono Trigger are reselling from his $300 to his $1,000.

of right Video games bring even more. In 2019, an original, unopened test market copy of Super Mario Bros. sold at auction for just over $100,000.

4. Denim

Whether it’s old jeans, a dress, or a denim purse, someone will want to buy it. The older the better. I found an old Levi’s denim jacket on eBay today for $200. Maybe the person selling it hasn’t had one in decades, so the money helps.

5. Midcentury Modern Classics

Those who watched the TV program mad menI know it’s set in the 1960’s. If you come across something from that era, take another look. Nostalgia is powerful, and people pay top dollar to be surrounded by items that bring them back.

For example, an old typewriter can sell for between $200 and $560. If it’s old and functional, someone will want it.

Remember the old flip clock? Ok, probably not. It works like a digital clock, but instead of using an electronic LED display to show the time, a flip clock has a wheel of printed cards that flips over time. There is an online community of avid flip clock enthusiasts. If it’s lying around, now might be the time to tap into that enthusiasm. A vintage flip clock recently sold for close to $700.

6. Record board

There was a time when the only place you could sell old vinyl records was your local record store. Online marketplaces like Discogs make it easy to sell your old records. The price you are likely to receive is based on the condition and rarity of the album.

7. Vintage furniture

Got an extra end table from grandma’s house or an old chaise longue that you don’t know what to do with? Vintage furniture sells well on sites like Etsy and eBay. If you don’t want to ship items, try Facebook Marketplace or her website in your area. If you have Mid-Century Modern (usually furniture manufactured from the mid-1940s to 1970s), expect multiple offers.

Spending, saving, and investing extra money is great, but the benefits of selling old things don’t end there. According to NewsGP, research shows that clutter and disorganization have cumulative effects on the brain. As humans, we naturally like things to be neat and tidy. We see something and immediately want to know what it is and how it can be used. Surrounding yourself with too many objects can impair your ability to concentrate and deplete your cognitive resources.

Selling things you no longer use is a win-win. Good for your budget, good for your brain.