I will never forget the weekend in 2019 when I realized I was sitting on a goldmine. I was complaining to a friend about being broke while literally leaning against a closet full of clothes I hadn't worn in two years. She challenged me to make $100 by Sunday night using only what was in my apartment.
I dug through my "junk drawer" and found three old remote controls, a graphing calculator from high school, and a pair of hiking boots that hurt my feet. I listed them on eBay on Saturday morning. By Sunday afternoon, I had $145 in my account. The calculator alone sold for $60.
That weekend broke a mental barrier for me. I stopped seeing "stuff" and started seeing "inventory." Since then, I’ve generated over $50,000 flipping thrift store finds, selling digital printables, and clearing out other people's clutter. Whether you want to build a serious side hustle or just pay for a vacation, the opportunities to turn physical (and digital) objects into cash are everywhere.
Things to Sell to Make Money (Start with Your House)
When people ask what things can i sell to make money, they usually assume they need to buy inventory first. Wrong. You need to liquidate your liabilities first. Most American households have an average of $2,000 worth of unused items sitting in drawers.
The "Junk Drawer" Goldmine:
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Remote Controls: Seriously. Original remotes for old VCRs or DVD players sell for $15–$30 because universal remotes are annoying to program.
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Cables and Chargers: Original Apple cables or proprietary camera chargers are always in demand.
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Broken Electronics: I sold a cracked iPad for $80. Why? Repair shops need the internal components. List it as "For Parts/Repair."
Honest Failure: I once tried to sell a bundle of random cables (HDMI, USB, etc.) as a "lot." I priced it at $20 + $15 shipping. It sat for a year. Nobody wants a mystery box of cables. They want one specific cable. Lesson: Specificity sells. "Sony Cybershot Charger" sells. "Camera charger" does not.
What Things Can I Sell to Make Money? (The Sourcing Game)
Once you've sold your own stuff, you need to find more things to sell and make money. This is where you transition from "cleaner" to "treasure hunter." But don't just buy what you like. Buy what the data says will sell.
The Thrift Store Strategy: I used to walk into Goodwill and blindly guess. "This vase looks nice." Now, I source and right away list through Closo to ensure profit. I focus on three high-margin categories:
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Discontinued Cosmetics: If you find sealed lotions or perfumes that aren't sold in stores anymore, buy them. People pay 3x retail for their favorite scent.
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Vintage Blankets: Wool Hudson Bay blankets or vintage afghans are huge on Etsy.
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Vacuum Attachments: Weird, right? But if you find a Dyson attachment for $2, it sells for $25 on eBay.
How Closo helps me predict demand 6 weeks ahead: I don't just look at what sold yesterday. I look at what will sell.
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The Signal: Closo noticed a spike in social media engagement for "Grandmillennial Decor" (floral patterns, needlepoint).
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The Action: I spent July buying ugly floral pillows and needlepoint frames for pennies.
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The Result: In September, when the trend hit mainstream blogs, I sold out at a 400% markup.
Things to Make and Sell to Make Money (The DIY Economy)
If you are creative, the easiest thing to make and sell isn't always a physical craft. Physical crafts require shipping, materials, and storage. I prefer Digital Products.
Stuff to Make to Sell (Digital Edition):
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Canva Templates: Real estate agents need "Just Sold" flyers. Teachers need lesson plan templates. I make these once and sell them infinitely on Etsy.
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Wedding Signage: "Unplugged Ceremony" signs or "Bar Menu" templates.
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Spreadsheets: If you are good at Excel, make a "Wedding Budget Tracker" or "Debt Payoff Calculator."
Anecdote: I spent two weeks knitting scarves in 2021. I sold three. After cost of yarn and my time, I made about $2 an hour. Then I spent three hours making a "Knitting Pattern" PDF based on those scarves. I listed it for $5. I have sold 400 copies. That is $2,000 for three hours of work. Opinion Statement: I believe that unless you are a master artisan, selling the instructions (digital) is always more profitable than selling the object (physical).
How to Sell Things Online and Make Money (Platform Strategy)
Knowing how to sell things online and make money is about matching the item to the right room. You wouldn't sell a tuxedo at a yard sale.
The "Big Three" Platforms:
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eBay: For electronics, broken things, and collectibles. (The Garage).
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Poshmark: For clothes, shoes, and handbags. (The Closet).
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Mercari: For toys, home goods, and mid-tier items. (The Yard Sale).
The Automation Hack: Listing on all three takes forever. I use the Closo 100% Free Crosslister.
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Scenario: I have a pair of Nike sneakers.
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Old Way: I take photos, type the description into eBay. Then I open Poshmark, type it again. Then Mercari, type it again.
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New Way: I list on eBay. I click "Crosslist with Closo." It instantly populates the listings on Poshmark and Mercari.
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Benefit: I sold those sneakers on Mercari in 2 hours because a buyer there had a coupon. If I stayed only on eBay, I would have missed the sale.
How to Sell Things on Amazon and Make Money (The FBA Beast)
Now the tricky part... How to sell things on amazon and make money is totally different. Amazon is not for unique, used items. It is for new items with barcodes.
Retail Arbitrage: This is finding stuff to sell at Walmart that is cheaper than on Amazon.
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Example: I found a clearance aisle full of specific LEGO sets marked down to $15.
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Amazon Price: $45.
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Fees: ~$15.
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Profit: $15 per unit.
The Warning: Amazon has "Gating." You cannot just sell Nike or LEGO without approval. Honest Failure: I bought 20 Neutrogena face washes on clearance. I sent them to Amazon FBA. Amazon flagged them as "Restricted" because I wasn't an authorized distributor. I had to pay Amazon $0.50 per unit to destroy them because it was cheaper than shipping them back to me. Lesson: Always scan the item with the Amazon Seller App before you buy to check for restrictions.
Things to Sell and Make Money (Seasonal Flipping)
One of the most reliable things i can sell to make money is seasonal decor—but you have to buy it out of season. This is where patience pays off.
My Calendar Strategy:
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January: Buy Christmas lights and ornaments at 75% off. Store them until November.
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July: Buy "Back to School" supplies (fancy markers, character backpacks) when they are loss-leaders at Staples. Bundle them and sell them in August when stores run out.
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November: Buy summer swimsuits on clearance. List them in January for people going on winter cruises.
(Parenthetical aside: I once bought an inflatable Santa for $10 in January. I forgot about it. found it in my attic the next December and sold it for $80 because that specific model was discontinued.)
Easiest Thing to Make and Sell (Low Barrier Entry)
If you aren't tech-savvy and can't knit, what is the easiest thing to make and sell? Stickers. But not just any stickers.
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The Method: You design them on Canva (or hire someone on Fiverr).
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The Production: You don't print them. You upload them to Redbubble or StickerApp.
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The Niche: Specificity wins. "Golden Retriever Mom" is saturated. "Reactive Rescue Dog Mom" is a niche with passionate buyers.
Common Questions I See
People always ask me... Do I need a business license to sell my old stuff?
Generally, no. If you are selling personal items for less than you paid for them (a garage sale online), it is not considered a business; it's a liquidation. However, if you start buying things to make and sell to make money (manufacturing), you are a business. Once you cross a certain threshold of sales (check your local laws), you should register.
Common question I see... How do I ship fragile things without them breaking?
The "Shake Test." Wrap the item in bubble wrap. Put it in a box. Fill the voids with paper or peanuts. Tape it shut. Now shake it hard. If you hear anything moving or clicking, it will break. Open it up and add more packing. I learned this after shipping a ceramic mug that arrived as ceramic dust.
People always ask me... What if I don't have money to buy inventory?
Start with the "Free Section" on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. People give away furniture, books, and clothes just to get them out of their house. I picked up a free solid wood dresser. I spent $10 on new knobs and "Sold" polish. I sold it for $120. You trade labor for capital.
Conclusion
Finding things to sell to make money is less about the item and more about the eye. You have to train your brain to see value where others see clutter. Whether it's the remote control on your coffee table or the trend you spotted on Closo, the money is there.
My honest assessment is that you should start with what you own. Clear your house. It builds the bankroll you need to start buying inventory. Don't overthink the "perfect" product. The perfect product is the one that sells.
If you are ready to stop guessing and start sourcing with precision, check out the Closo Seller Hub to analyze your next flip.
For more on where to find the best inventory, read our Retail Arbitrage Guide 2026
And if you want to know what high-ticket items are moving right now, check out Most Expensive Thing on Amazon 2026
