Unneeded items gathering dust in your home could be a treasure trove for collectors—and a gold mine for you.

If you’re ready to give some of the old stuff stashed in your attic, basement, and closets the heave-ho, take a good look at them first—there could be a market for your vintage belongings. With a little research and effort, you could earn some serious cash by selling them to an interested collector locally, through a website like eBay, or on Facebook Marketplace. You might be surprised at how much your retro items could fetch.

Pop Culture T-Shirts

You may find yourself singing a happy tune if you’ve collected a stack of rock concert or other pop-culture T-shirts, as many fans are happy to shell out cash for such retro duds. Luckily,buyers don’t mind if a shirt has some wear and might even prefer those that do because it can help prove its authenticity. Consider this: a 1992 Aladdin T-shirt sold for $6,000 in 2020, and a T-shirt from the Cranberries’ 1995 tour went for
$2,500 in 2014.

Disney VHS Tapes

If you own vintage Disney VHS tapes, you might thank your lucky stars because some have fetched a pretty penny. For example, a sealed Black Diamond copy of Beauty and the Beast sold for about $38,000, and a 1984 copy of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from the Masterpiece Collection was snatched up for $1,175.

Cookie Jars

Cookie jars can be nostalgic, so it’s not surprising that rare ones can snag high prices: a 1960s McCoy-brand astronaut cookie jar was valued at nearly $500, and a 1961 Yogi Bear cookie jar by American Bisque Company can sell for more than $200.

Dishware

Back in the day, many a meal was made or served in a Pyrex dish. While not all Pyrex pieces are sought after, others have come into demand, and patterns like Butterprint and Lucky in Love can net hundreds to thousands of dollars. You can also bring home the bacon with brightly colored Fiesta dinnerware, especially discontinued colors and styles from before 1973.

Doorknobs

If your home dates back to the early 1900s or earlier, you may have antique doorknobs that you could sell for as much as $200—depending on their period and style—if you are willing to part with them. Ornate Victorian knobs can garner even more money due to their unique designs.

Records And Stereos

Spinning vinyl records is hip again, which means your old record collection and stereo equipment could get you extra cash. Some vintage receivers can sell for $5,000 or even $10,000. While not all albums can fetch such stellar prices, some in good condition can go for at least $100, and extremely rare records can command thousands of dollars.