What Can You Sell To Make Money? 22 Best Items (2024)

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If you’re looking for a profitableside 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.

What Can I Sell That’s Profitable?

The key tomaking 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:

Etsyis 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 $29 per month, but the company is currently offering the first month for $1 to help you get your business off the ground.

3. Video Games

Trendy vintage video games can sell 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 basem*nt.

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 furnitureat 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 Marketplaceis 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 knowa 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 laptops often sell for $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 couldcreate your own websiteto 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.

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Weddings are more expensive than ever in 2024, 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 anAmazon 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 Sell Your Toys Now has a 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 on how many pictures you sell.

Where To Sell:

There are 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 comes with a fee of 5% of the payment if it totals more than $8, while shipments of $8 or under incur a flat fee of $0.40.

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 want to turn it into a regular side hustle, you can always scope out thrift stores or garage sales to sell 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, but 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 are 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 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.

16. Clothes Hangers

Believe it or not, you can sell clothes hangers to make money. If you have a surplus of hangers, you could bundle and sell them. You could also buy new bundles of hangers at a discount store, like Ross, and resell them for a profit. Look on eBay to see the prices people are asking for different types of clothes hangers.

Where To Sell:

Pabbly allows you to list and sell coat hangers (one time or as a recurring subscription) for free and offers multiple payment options for your buyers.

17. Wine Corks

If you’re an avid wine drinker, don’t throw away the corks. People use wine corks for decorative displays and a variety of craft projects, so there’s definitely a market for them.

Where To Sell:

You can sell bundled wine corks on marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy. For example on Amazon, you can find a bundle of 50 assorted wine corks for $9.39.

18. Gift Cards

Unused gift cards have a market, but you’ll need to make the offer attractive to buyers by discounting it at least a little bit. Additionally, if you have a partially used gift card, there’s a market for those also.

Where To Sell:

Check out sites like CardCash and GiftCash to sell electronic gift cards. If you have physical gift cards, you can sell them on eBay or through a website like ClipKard.

19. Unused Parking Spaces

If you have unused parking spots, such as in your driveway, garage or lot, you can rent them out for a profit. According to parking marketplace Spacer, you can earn up to $450 per month renting your parking spot.

Where To Sell:

You can rent your unused parking space on Parksie or Neighbor.

20. Advertising Space on Your Blog

If you have a blog that gets traffic, you can sell advertising space on it. You can also try affiliate marketing, which means you put links to other people’s products in your content, and if someone buys the product as a result of clicking your link, you’ll earn a commission.

Where To Sell:

Research different ad networks, such as AdThrive, SHE Media and Monumetric, to learn what their requirements are. If you’re interested in affiliate marketing, research opportunities that match your blog content.

21. Your Photos

If you enjoy taking photos, you can sell them online for a profit. The easiest route is to sign up with different stock photo websites that will license your photos to brands and agencies who want to use them for commercial use purchases. You’ll get a portion of the revenue from each of your photo sales. The amount that you can earn will depend on the commission model the stock photo site uses.

Where To Sell:

You can sell your photos to stock photo websites like 500px or Stocksy. Research your options to find the best one for the type of photos you’re selling and the commission model that works best for you.

22. Old Phones

If you have old phones collecting dust in your home, you can sell them for cash. Newer phones will command the best prices, while older or outdated smartphones or flip phones will bring in minimal compensation.

Where To Sell:

Gather quotes from companies like Swappa and Gazelle and compare offers to find the best one. You can also sell your old phone on Facebook Marketplace.

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 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.

What To Consider When Choosing To Sell Online

When you choose to sell online, you’ll need to think about the following:

• Competition for the products you want to sell: Think about how you’ll stand out among others selling the same thing.
• Target audience: Who is going to be interested in buying what you’re selling?
• Sales channels: Will you sell your products via an online marketplace, social media or your own online store?
• Payment options: Consider the payment options you want to offer.
• Shipping methods: How will you ship your products?
• Ways to promote your products: How will you advertise your products?

Takeaway

There are plenty of things to sell to make money — all depending on your interests, skills and 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, Cynthia Measom and Cynthia Bowman contributed to the reporting for this article.