It feels like everything is getting more expensive—from rent to groceries to gas. The housing crisis, combined with an increasing cost of living, can feel overwhelming.
Sometimes, you need extra cash—fast. Whether it’s to make a rent payment, pay for repairs to your car, or send to a friend or family member, selling something you already own can be one of the best ways to do that.
In this Remitly article, we’ll go over some things you can sell to make money. We’ll include clear examples, benefits, and tips with each suggestion so that you can get started right away. We’ll also help you decide the best things you can sell depending on your skills, interests, and what you have to offer.
Deciding what to sell
Start by looking at what you already have—you might be surprised how many things you could sell for money. But how do you decide?
And it’s not just about what you have. You also need to consider what people want to buy. Google Trends can help you see what people are searching for online, which could guide you toward the things that will sell (although high search volume doesn’t always guarantee high sales). Also, browse the top-selling items on online platforms like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon.
Potential profit margin also matters. There’s not much point in selling something if the fees, packaging, and shipping costs eat up your revenue. Sometimes, services can be a good idea because there are fewer upfront costs–we’ll talk about that in more detail later.
What you choose to sell often comes down to your own personal strengths and skills. Make a list of the skills, talents, knowledge, and passions you have. For example, if you’re good at crafting, you could sell handmade jewelry on Etsy. Just try to make sure your abilities align with what people are willing to pay for.
Declutter your home for quick cash
Many of us have more possessions than we think we do, and we often don’t use a lot of what we own. Getting rid of items you don’t need helps declutter your home and can also help you make quick cash.
There’s a market for many types of items online. Internet marketplaces exist for all kinds of different household items:
| Item Type | Online Marketplaces |
| Clothing & accessories | Poshmark, Vinted, Depop |
| Electronics | Gazelle, Decluttr, Swappa |
| Furniture & home décor | Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp |
| Books, CDs & DVDs | eBay, BookScouter, Decluttr |
| Handmade goods | Etsy, Amazon Handmade |
| Sports equipment | SidelineSwap, Play It Again Sports, eBay |
| Toys & games | Mercari, eBay, Facebook Marketplace |
Tips for selling items online
- Take high-quality photos. Use good lighting, clear, uncluttered backgrounds, and multiple angles to show the item’s condition and features.
- Write detailed, accurate descriptions. Include the size, brand names, and model numbers if you have them.
- Price competitively. Take a look at similar items and see what they sell for. Set your price around the same or slightly lower to encourage a faster sale.
- Use relevant keywords. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and use the words they might search for when looking for an item like yours.
- Respond quickly to messages. Good communication helps to build trust between you and potential buyers, and can help you sell your item faster.
- Promote on multiple platforms. You can crosspost items on multiple sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Poshmark to get more attention on your listings.
Sell digital products and courses
Selling things you already own is a great way to make quick cash from things you no longer need, but you can only sell an item once. Digital products, on the other hand, can be sold over and over again.
Creating and selling a digital product might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Platforms such as Gumroad, Teachable, and Etsy make it easy to create all kinds of digital products. While you’ll spend time initially creating your product, once it’s up for sale, it can generate income for months or even years without you having to work too much on it.
Your first few products might not sell well, and you might need to keep creating new ones until you build traction and get an audience. But with persistence and by building up an audience, your products could become a reliable source of income over time.
Think about what you know that other people might benefit from. Maybe you’re a good writer and can sell stories on Amazon. Maybe you’re a mechanic who knows how to fix cars. You could be an expert in digital marketing or a great cook. These are all valuable skills that you can teach in an online course.
Here’s a quick guide to the kinds of digital products you could create, and how difficult they typically are to produce:
| Difficulty level | High-converting digital products |
| Low difficulty | Printable planners and journals
Resume templates Social media templates |
| Medium difficulty | Ebooks or how-to guides (e.g., How to Meal Prep on a Budget)
Stock photo bundles Fitness routines or workout plans |
| High difficulty | Comprehensive online courses
Membership sites with ongoing content Custom software or apps |
Flip items for profit
Selling things you already own isn’t the only way to make money. You can also flip items. This means buying undervalued items and selling them for profit.
The principle is simple, although the reality can be more complicated. You can find undervalued items at places like thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces. Sometimes, you can add value to the item yourself. For example, you could refurbish old furniture or fix damaged vintage clothing, then sell it for profit.
Flipping works best when you have specialized knowledge. If you know a lot about vintage sneakers or mid-century furniture, for example, you’ll be able to spot a bargain right away.
Tips for maximizing profits when flipping items:
- Identify trends early: Pay attention to what’s popular in fashion, tech, and collectibles through Google Trends or social media.
- Examine quality carefully: Avoid damaged items unless you can repair them affordably and to a high standard.
- Source strategically: Visit thrift stores on sale days or check online auctions for bulk deals.
- Stage and photograph items well: Professional-looking images increase buyer confidence and your selling price.
- Build a brand presence: Create a consistent name, logo, and style for your storefront to encourage repeat customers.
Making money with crafts and handmade goods
Another way you can monetize your skills to make money is by making crafts. If you know how to make things like jewelry, candles, or pottery, you can sell them at online marketplaces like Etsy or local markets and craft fairs.
Knowing your niche helps. For example, selling items to a specific audience—like dice cases for Dungeons & Dragons gamers or upcycled birdhouses—could bring you some loyal buyers. Just bear in mind that this option takes time and effort, plus you’ll need to factor in fees, materials, and time.
Sell print-on-demand products to make money
Print-on-demand has blown up in recent years as a way to make money online. That’s partly because you don’t need much to get started. All you need is an idea and a design.
If you have an eye for graphic design, you can use that to make money. Sites like Printful and Redbubble let you upload designs that they then print on a variety of items, from stickers to phone cases to T-shirts and mugs.
The key is to understand what sells, so do your research. You don’t need to manage inventory, and the startup costs are next to nothing. However, it’s worth noting that profit margins are often low, and there’s a lot of competition. You’ll need to create new products and optimize your listings regularly.
Rent your stuff out
We all own things we don’t use all the time. What if those items could make you money? This is the business model behind platforms like Airbnb, which lets you rent out a room in your home for extra cash. But it’s not just for real estate.
- Turo lets you rent out your car when you’re not using it.
- Neighbor.com helps you rent out extra storage space like a garage or shed.
- RVshare connects owners with people looking to rent.
Startup costs are low, but be sure to take things like maintenance, taxes, and liability into consideration before diving in.
Make money freelancing
With freelancing, you can make money from skills you already have. If you’re good at graphic design, writing, social media management, or coding, you could eventually make a living by finding people who need those skills and charging them for it.
Freelancing can be time-consuming, and at first, it can be challenging to find good clients. On the plus side, your earning potential is almost unlimited. If you’re good at what you do and build a solid reputation, you can connect with high-paying clients and make a full-time living.
To get started, sites like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer can connect you with clients. However, these sites charge high fees. As you build your reputation, you may find it better to operate your own personal portfolio website to attract clients.
Another challenge many freelancers face today is generative AI. In some industries, AI tools have driven down prices or even replaced some types of work. That’s why specialized skills are increasingly important.
Freelancing isn’t easy, but if you’re persistent and build a good reputation, it could be a flexible and scalable source of income.
Freelance services you can offer to make money
- Social media management (posting, engagement, and analytics)
- Content calendar creation for blogs and social channels
- Copywriting and blog article writing
- Video editing for YouTube or social media
- Website design and development
- Search engine optimization (SEO) services
- UX/UI design
- Email marketing campaign creation
- Virtual assistance (scheduling, inbox management, data entry)
- Online tutoring or coaching in specialized subjects
- Product photography for e-commerce businesses
- Voiceover work for ads, podcasts, and explainer videos
- App or software testing
- Customer support services for small businesses
- Data analysis and reporting using tools like Excel, Google Analytics, or Tableau
Sell photos and art
If you like to take photos or make art, your creative work could be turned into income. Platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Society6 let you sell stock photos or digital artwork online. Meanwhile, platforms like Etsy let you sell physical prints. You could even offer commissioned artwork for clients.
How do you find clients? Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are perfect for this kind of visual content. You can show your creation process and finished products, and build a brand that appeals to people.
Having a consistent style will help your work be more recognizable. Look at what other creators in your niche charge and use that to determine your pricing. If possible, offer different formats and sizes to attract a wider range of buyers. And build an email list so that you can stay connected with your customers and promote new releases.
Turn what you own or know into income
Making money doesn’t always require a new job or a big investment. Whether it’s something you already own, an undervalued product you know you can make a profit on, or even your own skills and services, there are more opportunities than ever to generate income on your own terms.
Take a look around your home at the things you already own, and think about the skills you have to offer other people. From there, you’ll likely be able to come up with a list of ways to turn your belongings, talents, or time into money.
FAQs
What’s the most profitable thing to sell?
Just because something is expensive, it doesn’t mean it’s profitable. Digital products (like ebooks or templates) often have high profit margins because there are no physical production or shipping costs.
Where should I sell my items?
Different platforms are suitable for different products. For example, Gumroad and Etsy are great for digital products. Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay work better for physical items.
How can I start selling without spending much?
You can sell lots of things without spending a lot of money. Items you already own have no upfront cost, and skills that you can offer as services have almost no overhead.
Can I make passive income by selling?
Yes—but it usually requires upfront effort. Digital products offer one of the best ways to make semi-passive income, as once you have made the product, it can continue to sell without you needing to do much more work on it. Think online courses, books, or print-on-demand designs that can sell even while you sleep.