These Garage Sale Items Will Make You the Most Money

MAKE MONEY - SIDE HUSTLES
Get rid of the stuff you don’t want and earn some money for it at your next garage sale.
Last updated April 3, 2023 | By Jenny Cohen Edited By Chris Kissell
woman choosing clothes at garage sale

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Cleaning out the junk in your house can make you some extra cash, especially if you have the right items.

To get the most for your time, concentrate on selling in-demand items. Here are a few things you can sell that might help you make a little extra cash.

Clothes

Pavel/Adobe hangers with men's and women's clothing at the garage sale

Clothes are among the biggest, most sought-after finds at a garage sale. You may not get much for each individual piece, but selling multiple items can add up.

Consider pairing things — such as a shirt and leggings for one price — in order to move merchandise quicker.

Tools

golubovy/Adobe wrench tools in store

You may not have a need for a drill set or those screwdrivers and hammers in a bag, but they could be a great find for someone who is building out a toolbox.

You can get a fair amount of money for certain tools, depending on their quality.

Video games

mehaniq41/Adobe old 8-bit video game consoles

Sure, there are gamers who want the latest and greatest. But there are also plenty of players who are looking for a good deal or trying to pick up new games for their classic systems.

So, you might get a good price for your games even though they are used.

Books

Brian Jackson/Adobe old books in a second hand sale

Clean off your bookshelves and set all those books outside for potential readers. Books are another one of those items unlikely to garner a high per-book price, but which can get you more money in lots.

Readers might be willing to grab a bunch of them at once for their collection. And if you can’t get rid of them, try donating them to your local library.

Art

Balint Radu/Adobe antiques for sale at the famous flea market on Athens Greece

Paintings, pictures on canvas, and even framed posters can sell quickly, depending on what they look like and the condition they’re in.

When setting a price for each item, consider the size, condition, and popularity of the subject.

Small appliances

trekandphoto/Adobe garage sale set with vintage electronics, music and sports equipment and appliances

Things like mixers, blenders, and toasters can get you a good return. Like other items on this list, they may be enticing to buyers because they are pricey to buy new.

As a bonus, these appliances are easy to transport home.

Electronics

Akira Kaelyn/Adobe photography concept on wood background

Old electronics — from computers to smartphones and tablets — might attract bargain hunters.

Just be careful when selling these items so you don’t put your private information at risk. Perform a factory reset for some of the items, disconnect them from online accounts, and remember to remove SIM cards from phones.

Records

bramgino/Adobe Vinyl records music background

Vinyl records are making a comeback with music fans. In fact, $1 billion in vinyl records was sold in 2021, making it the best year for vinyl since 1986, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

Collectors are looking for old vinyl records, and garage sales are a great place to sell old vinyl you don’t want to keep any longer.

Bar stools

peopleimages.com/Adobe bar with many bottles and glasses wines

Today’s kitchen renovations and new homes often include counter space perfect for bar stools.

You may have retro bar stools that have been sitting in your basement for ages or newer stools at kitchen-counter height that you’re ready to get rid of.

Pro tip: If your garage sale is a big success, consider using some of the profits to crush old debts.

Crafting supplies

images and videos/Adobe painting equipment

Did you try to get into a hobby that just didn’t work for you? Or are you overwhelmed with fabric and yarn and scrapbooking supplies?

Scale down your crafting corner and put those extra items up for sale. You’ll be happy to get rid of some of the old stuff so you can use the cash you make to buy other supplies.

Toys

STUDIO GRAND WEB/Adobe miniatures sold for childhood consumption at garage sale

Kids grow up and grow out of their interest in certain things. So, get those old toys out of your playroom and sell them, particularly the ones that are still in good condition.

You may also want to make sure things like puzzles or Lego sets have all their pieces.

Sports equipment

JJAVA/ADOBE Sports Equipment

If old pairs of cleats or golf clubs are collecting dust, sell them. These items can be expensive for someone who is buying them new, which means shoppers may be looking for bargains at garage sales.

Bottom line

pressmaster/Adobe bearded man standing at table with various goods

Garage sales are great opportunities to add extra savings to your bank account. But don’t expect every item to be a smashing success.

So, you might want to think about what you can do with the stuff that doesn’t get sold. There may be charities in the area that can take it. You can also give it away or post it online for free.

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Author Details

Jenny Cohen Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.