What Can You Sell To Make Money? 15 Best Items
If you’re looking for a profitable side hustle, start by looking at what you already have. One of the best ways to make money from home is by selling or reselling. You can sell things on your own schedule to bring in extra cash without taking too much time out of your busy day. This guide will walk you through a few popular things to sell to make money, plus tips on how to turn a profit.
Read: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS
What Can I Sell That’s Profitable?
The key to making your business a success is to do your research and commit to an idea that works for you. A profitable business takes time and effort. Knowing who your competition is, what the best pricing could be and where to market your products are all essential.
However, that doesn’t mean your side hustle requires the commitment of a full-time job. With a little research and creativity, selling items online can help you earn some extra cash without sacrificing too much of your time.
Start your own business selling things. Some things that don’t require much overhead but could turn a profit with enough dedication include:
1. Clothes
Selling clothes — old ones you don’t wear anymore or thrift store finds — can be a good way to make money. Designer goods or infant/child fashions could be the most profitable since they tend to be in high demand. You could search for additional clothing items to sell at thrift stores or discount retailers. Look for items on clearance that you could make a profit from if you resell them.
Where To Sell:
One option for selling clothes is to create your own website with a service like Squarespace. Or, if you don’t have the time or budget to build your own site, you could list items on popular reselling sites such as eBay or Poshmark.
2. Crafts
If you have a crafty hobby, you could create your own business selling handmade goods. There is an online market for handmade pottery, glassware, stickers, T-shirts, furniture and more. Once you pick your niche, you can promote your crafts on social media to find your audience and build a customer base.
Where To Sell:
Etsy is a well-known source for millions of sellers who have unique items to offer. You can also create an online storefront on Shopify to sell your handmade goods. Pricing starts at $39/month, but the company is currently offering $1 a month for the first three months to help you get your business off the ground.
3. Video Games
The global gaming industry is on the rise in 2023. Trendy vintage games can for $500 or more depending on their scarcity. Research which games are trending and see what you can find at second-hand stores, online or in your own basement.
Where To Sell:
You might find a buyer for your video games on generic reselling sites like eBay, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. For high-value or obscure games, you can try more niche sites like Decluttr or GameFlip.
4. Furniture
If you enjoy refurbishing furniture, you can create a home business reselling it. Start by picking up free or cheap furniture at garage sales and thrift stores, then paint or update them with a fresh and modern look.
Where To Sell:
Depending on the size and weight of the furniture piece, you may prefer to sell locally and have interested buyers pick up the item. Facebook Marketplace is a good place to find local and out-of-town buyers.
5. Electronics
Individuals in need of an affordable phone, tablet or laptop often seek electronics second-hand. If you know a little about electronics, repairing or refurbishing used tech can be a great way to turn a profit and offer people a more affordable alternative to buying new. Refurbished electronics often sell for around $100 or more.
Where To Sell:
Decluttr and Gizmogo are both good platforms to find buyers interested in electronics. Or, depending on how much time and effort you want to invest, you could create your own website to showcase the used electronics you have available for sale.
6. Wedding Supplies
If you recently got married, reselling your wedding décor, signs, lights or even outfits can be a great way to earn some extra cash. A used wedding dress can sell for up to $1,000 depending on its condition and original cost. Even if you don’t have wedding supplies of your own to sell, you can turn a profit by collecting or making wedding décor.
Weddings are more expensive than ever in 2023, so there is definitely a market for used, handmade or discounted supplies.
Where To Sell:
Consider posting your wedding items on Facebook Marketplace or joining a local brides’ group online. eBay and Poshmark are also good platforms for wedding supplies, especially wedding gowns and veils.
7. Clearance Items
If you can snag new goods at a steep discount, you can resell them for a profit. Consider browsing going-out-of-business sales, flash sales or Black Friday deals to find clearance items. Another method is to buy clearance items at the end of a season — for example, Christmas decorations after the holidays are over — then sell them once the peak season rolls around again.
Where To Sell:
Consider becoming an Amazon Reseller. If you have less than 40 items per month to list, you can sell them for free. However, if you plan on selling more items, you’ll need to pay $39.99 per month, plus transaction fees.
8. Vintage Toys
If you held onto your favorite toys as a child and you’re ready to let them go, you can earn some extra cash. Anything from Cabbage Kid dolls, action figures, hot wheels, you name it–you can sell it to collectors.
Where To Sell:
The website sellyourtoysnow.com has an three step process that allows you to see the price of your toy online, send it in and then get paid.
9. Stock Photos
If you’ve got a great eye and enjoy taking creative images, sell stock photos and boost your savings account. You can earn a few hundred to thousands a month depending how many how pics you sell.
Where To Sell:
There’s several sites you can sell to including Shutterstock and Getty Images.
10. Exercise Equipment
From weights to treadmills, if you have any piece of workout equipment that’s no longer being used, list those items and get them out of your house. You can also flip exercise equipment for a profit. Hit up garage sales and flea markets and buy items for a good price. Resell them for a higher amount and pocket that cash.
Where To Sell:
Facebook Marketplace. “Facebook Marketplace shipments come with a fee of 5% of the payment if it totals more than $8, while shipments of $8 or less come with a flat fee of $0.40,” per Business Insider.
11. Baby Gear
Babies grow fast and don’t stay the same size for long or need the same gear. So it’s no wonder there are so many hand-me-downs from siblings or friend’s kids. There’s money to be made from gently worn clothes or used baby stuff. If you wanted to turn it into a regular side hustle, you can always scope out thrift stores or garage sells and sale at a higher price for a profit.
Where To Sell:
Mercari recently announced selling fees have been removed, so you can keep all your earnings.
12. Designer Purses
Designer purses and small leather goods don’t lose value, so if you’ve got a collection you’re willing to sell, you can make good extra cash. Profits depend on the designer and the condition of the item.
Where To Sell:
There are plenty of choices since designer bags are always in demand. Neiman Marcus, ReBag and The RealReal are all great options.
13. Coins
Unless you only use credit cards or Apple Pay, chances are you’ve got loose change lying around that you can turn into cash, which can add up. So instead of throwing away those pennies, dimes and nickels, start saving.
Where To Sell:
You can take loose change to a bank, which you may have to roll them ahead of time depending on the bank, or to a coin counting machine near you that takes a percentage.
14. Cars
Selling a junk car that no longer runs used to be a hassle, but now there’s companies that make it quick and easy. If you have an old clunker, sell it and earn extra cash. Make sure to have the title for the car on hand and compare offers.
Where To Sell:
Peddle is good for older vehicles and offers pickup. Carvana gives cash offers and pays on the spot.
15. Scrap Gold
One of the quickest ways to get extra money in the bank is to sell your scrap gold, which is unwanted jewelry that’s not plated or filled. Pawn shops and cash for gold stores are as common as a liquor stores these days, and they will gladly take your gold. Make sure to research the market value first and shop around for the highest price.
Where To Sell:
Local pawn shops or stores that buy jewelry or gold. Check out their reviews or complaints with the Better Business Bureau beforehand.
Tips for Successful Online Sales
To get the maximum profit out of your online sales, keep these tips in mind:
Find the right platform: Take your time researching the best website to sell your items. Some sites are better for tech, whereas others are great for furniture or vintage items.
Take good pictures: A selection of clear, appealing photos of your item will go a long way to help it sell.
Be descriptive: Describe your item in detail online. Why is it worth the price you’ve listed? What makes you different from other sellers? Don’t be afraid to promote yourself.
Be honest: Don’t try to maximize your profit by hiding defects or issues. Be honest in your descriptions and to maintain a good reputation as a seller.
Stay on top of trends: Do your research and know what’s trending. Certain colors, items and designs come in and out of style, so keep an eye on what’s popular and compare similar items before you set your prices.
Takeaway
There are plenty of things to sell to make money — all depending on your interests, skills level of commitment. Be sure to do your research, know what’s trending, and find the right platform for what you want to sell. With a little creativity, reselling can become a profitable side hustle.
Heather Altamirano and Cynthia Bowman contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Can You Sell To Make Money? 15 Best Items
