What Can I Sell to Make Money? 15 Creative Ideas

Looking to earn extra cash? Relieve clutter and make money by selling unused household items. Your home likely contains hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered.

In this guide, we explore 15 creative ideas for items to sell locally or online. Get actionable tips to price items, market them effectively, and choose the best platforms to maximize profits.

From selling old electronics, gold jewelry, and handmade goods to renting out spare rooms and recycling, you’ll learn smart strategies to convert possessions into income.

Read on to discover just how much money can be generated from decluttering your closets, garages, and drawers. We’ll provide everything you need to know to turn your unwanted stuff into cold, hard cash.

Sell Old Household Items

Cleaning out clutter and selling old household goods is a top way to make money. Used furniture, appliances, electronics, clothes, toys, books and more can bring in cash.

Best furniture to sell includes antique chairs, midcentury couches, retro dressers and handcrafted tables. Vintage and modern styles are trendy.

For electronics, unused gaming consoles, iPads and laptops less than 2 years old sell best. Nostalgic electronics like vintage turntables and retro gaming systems are hot too.

Clothing and accessories in good condition from designer brands like Coach and Michael Kors move quickly. Kids clothes and shoes in great shape are always in demand as well.

Toys and games like Lego sets, board games and gaming accessories can net good profits if new or gently used. Sports cards, comics and other collectibles have strong resale markets too.

Snap quality photos and thoroughly describe items when selling online. Research current prices for similar items. Yard sales are ideal for household goods too – advertise well!

Where to sell household items:

• Craigslist
• Facebook Marketplace
• eBay
• Consignment shops
• Garage sales
• Local classifieds

Household items can net you anywhere from $10 to $1000+ depending on what you sell. Put in the effort to get top dollar!

Sell Handmade Goods

Leveraging your creativity is a fun way to make extra income. Jewelry, art, clothing, decor and food items sell well if priced right and marketed smartly.

Popular handmade products on Etsy

• Crocheted blankets, hats, scarves, headbands, tops and baby clothes
• Scented candles in unique scents like grapefruit basil, woodsy blends, or seasonal scents
• Custom wood wall signs with family names, inspirational quotes, or farmhouse designs
• Unique terrariums with succulents, air plants, cacti, and other low-maintenance greens
• Vintage clothing like patched jeans, upcycled dresses, retro tee shirts
• Custom packaging and labels for baked goods like cookies, cakes, granola

Research competitors to price items fairly based on materials, time and demand. Attractive photography and smart keyword tags boost sales.

Local craft fairs are great for connecting directly with customers too. Make sure to display pricing clearly. Consider offering bundles and deals to incentivize purchases.

Sell Your Opinions

Companies value consumer perspectives. You can get paid for participating in surveys, focus groups, beta tests and more. Here are some reputable websites:

• Survey Junkie – Earn up to $50 per survey, pays via PayPal
• UserTesting – Get $10 for each website or app test, pay via PayPal
• Respondent – Products focus groups that pay $50-$250 for participation
• Harris Poll Online – Survey earnings redeemable for cash and gift cards

Most surveys pay $1-20 and last 10-30 minutes. Expect to qualify for 10-40% of surveys you attempt. Set up accounts on multiple panels to maximize earnings.

Take care to avoid scams. Check site reviews and look for BBB accreditation and transparent payment terms before participating.

Sell Car Advertising Space

Companies will pay for ad space on your car. Carvertise connects advertisers to drivers willing to become “rolling billboards.” You can earn $100-500 per month.

Here’s how it works:

1. Submit your car info
2. Get matched with advertisers looking for drivers in your area
3. Install removable car magnets with ads
4. Drive your normal routine for monthly payments

Consider regulations, insurance implications and ad content before participating. Thoroughly vet advertisers first. Understand placement options and pricing.

Rent Out a Spare Room

Renting an unused bedroom provides monthly income. On Airbnb, hosts earn an average of $924 per month. Craigslist is also popular for finding housemates.

Features that increase rental income

• Private exterior access – This allows renters to come and go freely without disturbing you.
• Parking/garage space – Convenient parking is attractive for renters with cars.
• Clean, uncluttered space – Fresh paint, new floors and clutter-free spaces appeal to renters.
• Strong wifi and television – Fast internet and TV access are expected amenities these days.
• Mini fridge and microwave – These let renters store and heat food conveniently

Vet potential renters thoroughly, take safety precautions and set expectations upfront to avoid issues. Price competitively based on location and amenities.

Sell Used Electronics

Used electronics in good condition can net you quick cash. Smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming systems and more retain solid value when sold while 1-2 years old.

Demand is highest for the latest models with updated specs from leading brands:

Smartphones

• iPhone 12 & 13 models
• Samsung Galaxy S and Note series
• Google Pixel models

Laptops

• MacBook Airs and Pros
• Dell XPS and Alienware
• HP Spectre and Envy
• Lenovo ThinkPad and Yoga
• Microsoft Surface

Tablets

• iPad Pro 11″ and 12.9″
• iPad Air
• iPad Mini
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
• Amazon Fire HD

Gaming

• Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED
• PlayStation 4 and PS5
• Xbox One X and Series S/X

Other Electronics

• Apple Watch
• VR headsets like Oculus Quest
• Digital cameras
• Kindle e-readers
• Drones

Totally wipe and reset electronics to avoid exposing personal data. Resell sites like Swappa, Gazelle and Decluttr make it easy to sell devices safely. Compare buyers to maximize your payout. Time listings to align with new product launches when demand spikes. With the right timing and gadget, you can net over $100 in resale value per device!

Sell Gold Jewelry

Turning old unwanted gold jewelry into instant cash is easy. Here are some tips to get the best price:

Check karats – Pure gold is 24K. Jewelry typically ranges from 10K (41% pure) to 18K (75% pure). Marks are stamped near clasps. Higher karat = higher value.

Weigh pieces – Jewelry is bought by weight. More grams = more money. Invest in a small jewelry scale to weigh pieces.

Calculate melt value – Melt value is based on purity and daily gold prices. Check gold calculators online to estimate melt value.

Compare buyers – Shop around with pawn shops, jewelers and online buyers. Compare payout offers and reviews. Most pay 30%-80% of melt value.

Remove gems – Gems add weight but no melt value. Remove them to maximize gold value. You can separately sell gems/diamonds.

Selling options – Pawn shops are quick and easy for cash on the spot. Jewelers may pay more with some polish. Check online buyers for potentially higher quotes.

Creative recycling – You can also recycle gold into new jewelry or trade for contemporary pieces rather than selling outright.

Selling a few old rings, chains or bracelets can easily net you $100-$500+ depending on karat and weight. Take your time to get quotes and understand value – gold is precious!

Recycle For Cash

You can earn cash while helping the environment by recycling aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper, and other household items. Here are some top things to collect and redeem:

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans are one of the easiest recyclables to exchange for cash. Look for cans marked ‘Al’ or check magnetically. Payments are typically by the pound. Expect anywhere from 5¢ to 45¢ per lb based on current scrap prices.

Plastic Bottles and Containers

PET #1 and HDPE #2 plastic bottles have the most value. Look for water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, detergent containers, and more marked with these codes. Payments range from 5¢ to 30¢ per lb.

Newspapers and Paper

Newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper, cardboard and boxboard can be redeemed for cash. Shredded paper and hardcover books are options too. Payments average around 5¢ to 15¢ per pound.

Scrap Metal

All types of metal from copper and brass to old appliances have scrap value. Prices vary based on metal type and purity. Copper averages around $2.50/lb currently. Remove non-metal parts before recycling appliances and electronics.

Redemption Options

• Local recycling or redemption centers – Look for aluminum can and bottle specific buyback centers which pay CRV value.
• Scrap metal yards – Weigh trucks accept all metals and household scrap for current per lb pricing.
• Mail-in programs – Provide prepaid bags/boxes to fill up and mail in for payments.

Check current rates in your area – prices fluctuate! With some time invested, recycling household items can yield a nice side income.

Turn Your Clutter Into Cash

Hopefully these ideas provide a starting point for turning unwanted possessions into extra income! Further decluttering your home can reveal more potential items to sell like instruments, antique decor, sports gear, watches, cameras and more.

Do research to properly price items. Take quality photographs and write detailed descriptions. Utilize local marketplaces and online platforms to connect with interested buyers.

With some time invested, unwanted clutter can become hundreds if not thousands of dollars to pad your wallet! What unused items are you ready to part with for profit?