SAVE FOR LATER
Starting a resale side hustle is one of the smartest ways to add extra income to your family’s budget. I learned this firsthand when our family needed some additional funds for summer activities and extracurriculars. You’re probably looking at the items in your home right now, wondering if any of them could bring in some extra cash—or perhaps you’re curious about what you could buy specifically to flip for profit.
The good news is that reselling doesn’t require specialized skills or a huge investment to get started. With just a smartphone, some basic research, and a little time, you can turn unwanted items into much-needed money for your family.
Whether you’re hoping to fund a family vacation, pay for kids’ sports equipment, or simply want to pad your savings account, these easy resale items can help you reach your financial goals faster than you might think.
Finding Profitable Resale Items Around You
1. Vintage Clothing and Accessories
Vintage clothing has become incredibly popular among younger generations seeking unique style pieces. Items from the 70s, 80s, and 90s often carry nostalgic value that translates directly into higher resale prices.
When hunting for vintage clothing, focus on quality materials, unique designs, and recognizable brands. Denim jackets, band t-shirts, high-waisted jeans, and leather goods tend to maintain their value or even appreciate over time. Check local thrift stores, estate sales, and family closets for forgotten treasures with quality construction features like tight stitching, natural materials, and metal zippers.
Research similar items on resale platforms before setting your prices. Authentic vintage pieces from brands like Levi’s, Wrangler, or concert merchandise can sometimes sell for ten times what you paid at a thrift store.
2. Books and Textbooks
Books represent one of the easiest entry points into reselling because they’re plentiful, inexpensive to acquire, and simple to ship. Not all books are equal in the resale market, however.
College textbooks generally offer the highest profit margins, especially during the weeks before academic terms begin. Other valuable categories include first editions, signed copies, complete series sets, and out-of-print titles.
Learn to identify first editions (look for a “1” in the number line on the copyright page) and understand condition grades from “As New” to “Poor.” A book in “Very Good” condition with an intact dust jacket will command significantly higher prices than the same title with damage or missing elements.
3. Children’s Toys and Baby Gear
Children outgrow toys and baby equipment rapidly, creating a constant cycle of items entering the secondary market. Parents often purchase these items new at premium prices, creating excellent profit opportunities for resellers.
Building block sets like LEGO maintain their value exceptionally well, especially complete sets with instructions and original packaging. Character toys from popular franchises, educational toys, and classic wooden toys also retain their value.
Always verify that children’s items haven’t been recalled before purchasing for resale. Clean all items thoroughly using child-safe cleaning products and consider seasonal timing—toys sell best during the pre-holiday season, while baby gear tends to sell consistently year-round with slightly higher demand in spring.
4. Electronics and Video Games
Electronics retain substantial resale value when they’re still functional and not obsolete. Older gaming systems have developed devoted followings among collectors and retro gamers.
Video game consoles from previous generations—Nintendo, PlayStation, Sega—can sell for multiples of their thrift store prices. Vintage computers, film cameras, and audio equipment also attract passionate collectors willing to pay premium prices.
Always test electronic items thoroughly before purchasing and again before selling. Check all functions, inspect for damage, verify that all necessary components are included, and ensure personal data has been completely removed from devices through factory reset options.
5. Furniture and Home Decor
Furniture flipping combines creativity with practicality and can yield impressive profits. Solid wood furniture pieces offer the best opportunities because they can be refinished and repaired.
The most profitable furniture styles include mid-century modern, farmhouse, industrial, and classic traditional pieces. Brands like Ethan Allen, Lane, Broyhill, and Herman Miller command premium prices in the secondhand market.
Look for quality indicators such as dovetail joints, solid wood construction, and quality hardware while avoiding pieces with water damage or structural issues. Even without extensive DIY skills, you can transform furniture with basic cleaning, hardware replacement, or fresh paint—a $25 thrift store dresser can easily become a $200 marketplace find with minimal effort.
6. Vintage Kitchenware and Pyrex
Vintage kitchenware has developed cult-like followings among collectors. Pyrex mixing bowls and baking dishes from the 1950s-1970s with colorful patterns can sell for astonishing prices.
Cast iron cookware from brands like Griswold and Wagner also brings substantial returns. The older, lighter pieces with smooth cooking surfaces are particularly valuable to cooking enthusiasts.
Condition significantly impacts value—small chips or cracks dramatically reduce the value of Pyrex, while cast iron should be free from cracks and excessive pitting. Learn to identify valuable Pyrex patterns like “Pink Daisy,” “Butterprint,” and “Gooseberry,” as some rare patterns can sell for hundreds of dollars, even for single pieces.
7. Craft Supplies
Craft supplies present excellent resale opportunities because crafters constantly need materials but often overpurchase for projects. This creates a steady supply of unused or partially used materials entering the resale market.
Fabric, yarn, paper crafting supplies, and crafting tools can all be profitable when purchased at the right price. Brand-name equipment like Cricut machines, sewing machines, and specialized tools offer the highest profit margins.
Group similar items together to create attractive listings—fabric of similar colors, yarn of the same fiber content, or paper in coordinating patterns can be bundled for quicker sales. Store craft supplies properly to maintain their condition by keeping fabric and paper away from sunlight, moisture, and pests to preserve their value until sold.
8. Sports Equipment
Quality sports equipment represents significant investments for most families. Many people purchase equipment with good intentions but use it infrequently, creating excellent resale opportunities.
Golf clubs, fishing gear, camping equipment, and fitness items like weights can all generate substantial profits. Focus on recognized brands and current models or vintage classics rather than budget equipment.
Time your buying and selling according to sports seasons—buy winter sports equipment in spring when prices drop, then sell in fall when demand increases. Proper cleaning and maintenance dramatically increase the appeal and value of sports equipment, so remove dirt, lubricate moving parts, and make minor repairs before listing items for sale.
9. Designer Clothing and Accessories
Designer items consistently bring strong returns when resold. Even gently used items from premium brands can retain 40-60% of their retail value, while rare or limited-edition pieces might sell for more than their original price.
Handbags, shoes, and accessories typically offer better profit margins than clothing. Brands with strong resale value include Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and even accessible luxury brands like Coach and Michael Kors.
Learning to spot authentic designer items is essential, so study brand-specific details like stitching patterns, hardware, fonts, and serial number formats. Present items attractively by cleaning them thoroughly, stuffing handbags to maintain their shape, and taking clear, well-lit photographs that highlight brand markings and condition.
10. Vintage and Collectible Toys
Nostalgic toys from previous decades can become valuable collectibles as their original owners reach adulthood with disposable income. Action figures, dolls, trading cards, and model kits from the 1970s-1990s are particularly sought after.
Star Wars figures, original Transformers, early Barbie dolls, and Hot Wheels cars can all command premium prices. Condition and completeness dramatically impact value, with mint-in-box items fetching the highest prices.
Original packaging, accessories, and paperwork significantly increase collectible toy values—even the small plastic ties that originally held figures in their packaging can affect the final selling price. Some toys that seem ordinary might be rare variations worth substantial sums, so check for production variations, limited editions, and factory errors that might make common toys extraordinarily valuable.
11. Tools and Hardware
Quality tools hold their value exceptionally well, especially professional-grade brands. Many craftspeople and DIY enthusiasts are willing to purchase used tools at 50-70% of retail price when they’re in good working condition.
Power tools, specialized woodworking tools, and complete tool sets offer the best profit potential. Brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Snap-on consistently bring strong returns in the secondary market.
Always test tools before purchasing and again before selling, checking for frayed cords, proper operation, and complete accessories. Tools with original cases, all attachments, and instruction manuals sell faster and for higher prices—if possible, locate pdf versions of manuals online to include with older tools that may be missing documentation.
12. Musical Instruments
Musical instruments represent significant investments that many people make but don’t sustain. This creates a steady supply of quality instruments entering the resale market at bargain prices.
Guitars, violins, flutes, keyboards, and drum sets can all be profitable resale items. Even instruments needing minor repairs or maintenance can yield substantial profits after professional servicing.
Learn to identify common issues with different instrument types—check for cracks in wooden instruments, stuck keys in wind instruments, and electronics functions in amplified instruments. Research instrument brands and their market positioning, as some lesser-known brands actually produce excellent instruments that sell well to knowledgeable musicians, while others should be avoided regardless of price.
Making Your Resale Business Work for Your Family
Starting a resale business isn’t just about making extra money—it’s about creating flexibility for your family while using your natural talents for spotting value. I’ve found that the most successful resellers focus on categories they genuinely enjoy and understand, which makes the process more fun and profitable.
Begin with items you already own and gradually expand your knowledge. Take time to research pricing before buying inventory, and always factor in shipping costs, platform fees, and your time when determining potential profits.
With consistent effort and smart buying decisions, your resale business can provide that extra income your family needs for the things that matter most. The journey starts with a single item sold, and before you know it, you might discover a passion for turning overlooked treasures into financial blessings.