What Can I Sell For $1,000?

Does having an extra $1,000 sound nice right now? If so, you might be wondering, “What can I sell for $1,000?”. 

You might be surprised to learn that there are many things, both individually and as a group, that you can sell to earn $1,000. 

Today, you’ll learn what those items are, where you can sell them and more. 

25 Things You Can Sell To Earn $1,000

What would you do if you had an unexpected $1,000 right now? Would you start an emergency fund? 

Or would you pay off some debt quickly? Maybe you would start saving for that dream vacation or new-to-you car?.

When money is tight, earning $1,000 can seem like an out-of-reach goal. However, you might be surprised at how fast you can earn some serious cash when you combine the right ideas.

Read the list of ideas below and decide which ideas can help you earn some money quickly.

1. Jewelry 

If you have fine jewelry lying around that you no longer need or want, consider selling it to earn some cash quickly. 

There are a few companies that will help you sell your fine jewelry quickly for money in your pocket. 

For instance, Worthy will offer your high-end jewelry and watches to wholesalers for a quick sale. 

Other companies will buy your jewelry outright and pay you quickly. 

2. Gym Equipment

If you have gym equipment you no longer use, consider listing it for sale on Facebook, OfferUp or Craigslist. 

Whether it’s a treadmill, weight set or other piece of gym equipment, it doesn’t do you much good if it’s collecting dust. And if you know insider tips and tricks, you can sell stuff on sites like Craigslist extremely fast.

3. Laptops

Did you know that there are several places where you can sell your laptop for cash? Depending on the company you use, you may be able to get cash for your laptop in just a few days.

If you have a laptop you no longer use, there’s not much point in holding onto it. Instead, sell it to a buyer who can use it or refurbish it for another potential user.  

4. Smartphones

We’ve all got a few smartphones that we no longer use sitting around in desk drawers. Why not round them up and list them for sale?

Check out our list on where to sell old cell phones for cash. Most of these websites make it really easy to get quick cash for your old phones. 

5. Clothing

Used clothing can be one of the easiest items to sell. In addition, you can sell used clothes in a variety of places.

For example, you can hold a garage sale at your home, bring clothes to a local consignment shop or list your clothing pieces at the best places to sell used clothes online. 

6. Sports Gear

Sports gear can be profitable when selling as well. You can sell anything from protective equipment like shin guards and helmets to bicycles, baseball bats and soccer nets.

Baseball cleats in good condition, running gear and football equipment can sell well too. 

7. Handbags

Handbags are another hot item on the resale market. You can do especially well from a profit standpoint if you’re selling designer handbags such as Coach and Gucci. 

Look for online marketplaces that specialize in designer clothes and handbags. We’ll talk more about where you may be able to sell handbags later. 

8. An Older Vehicle

Do you have an older vehicle that you no longer use? Or are you considering upgrading to a newer vehicle?

If so, consider working to sell your older vehicle. Sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can be great for selling used vehicles. 

9. Baby Gear

Baby gear is another hot seller on the secondary market. People love saving money on baby items such as clothing, furniture, toys and baby gear.

You can sell baby carriers, cribs, strollers, baby monitors, diaper pails, baby bathtubs, bouncy seats, support pillows and similar items. 

10. Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances that are in good or better condition can bring big money in the resale market. If you have unused stand mixers, hand mixers, blenders, smoothie makers and similar items, consider listing them for sale. 

Other popular kitchen appliances can include microwaves, Instapots, crockpots and air fryers. 

11. Old Textbooks

Do you have old textbooks lying around from your college days? If so, try selling them.

While there’s a market for most old textbooks, the newer the edition of the book you have, the more likely you are to sell it faster and for more cash. 

12. Digital Cameras

Digital cameras can be a great item to sell online as well. The more expensive the camera was when you bought it, the more likely you are to be able to resell it at a great price. 

Of course, condition matters. If the camera is a name brand camera such as Nikon, and it’s in great condition, you’re more likely to sell it at an attractive price. 

13. Freelance Services

Do you have a skill that you can use to get freelance work? Some ideas include:

• Graphic design
• Freelance writing
• Administrative assistant
• Social media manager

And more. Check out this list of online side jobs for more ideas. 

14. Tools

Tools are another great seller, especially at online marketplaces such as Craigslist. Go through your toolbox and sell tools you have duplicates of or no longer need or want. 

Whether you’ve got smaller hand tools or larger power tools, there’s a market for them.  

15. Kids Toys

When my kids were little and I held annual garage sales, toys were one of my best sellers. 

Parents and grandparents love getting deals on toys that are in great shape, especially classic toys and larger toy items such as Little Tykes playsets. 

16. Household Items

Household items can sell quickly online as well. Anything from serving dishes to home decor to luggage.

You can also sell rugs, light fixtures, storage bins, linens and more. 

17. Home Maintenance Items

Home maintenance items are also popular in the secondary market. Consider selling unused items such as cleaning buckets, vacuum cleaners, window cleaning tools, rakes, lawn aerators, carpet cleaning machines and more. 

18. Furniture

You can sell furniture of all types on online sites and at garage sales. Sofas, chairs, loveseats, beds, bedroom sets, dining sets and more are eagerly sought by bargain hunters looking for a deal.

You’ll get even more cash if you sell antique furniture or furniture that’s in great condition. Search similar listings to what you’re selling in order to determine a competitive price point. 

19. Gaming Consoles

Gaming consoles are always hot items to sell, whether they’re the latest release, a vintage console or something in between. 

Many people and families can’t or won’t buy a gaming console at retail prices. Take advantage of this market and sell your unused gaming consoles to help earn your $1,000 quickly. 

20. Pet Gear

To many of us, our pets are considered family. And we’re not above buying whatever pet gear we need in order to ensure our pets are happy, healthy, safe and entertained. 

You can sell pet gear such as pet kennels, pet clothing, pet strollers and bike trailers, toys, food bowls and more. Whether you’re upgrading pet gear or simply have pet gear that you no longer use, there’s probably a market for it. 

21. Musical Instruments

Musical instruments are expensive when purchased new, making the purchase out of reach for some parents of budding musicians. 

If you’ve got musical instruments of any kind lying around the house, consider selling them to earn extra cash. From violins to flutes to drum sets, musical instruments are often in high demand.  

22. Homemade Personal Care Items 

There’s a serious market for personal care and beauty items that are natural and made from scratch. 

Some popular items you could make at home and sell include:

• Lip balms
• Body scrubs
• Soaps
• Lotions
• Essential oil combinations

And similar items. Check online sources for ideas and instructions on how to make the items that appeal to you. 

23. T-Shirts and Hoodies

If you have a gift for graphic design, why not design and sell your own t-shirts? When you use a site such as Redbubble, you upload your t-shirt designs.

Redbubble takes care of the rest, from production to shipping to customer service.  

24. Freebies You Find

Retail arbitrage is a popular side hustle where you find free or highly discounted items and then resell them for a profit.

Search the free section on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for items you may be able to sell for a profit. You can search out the clearance section at your local big box store for deals as well.

Read our article on How to Make Money with Retail Arbitrage for a detailed look into reselling. 

25. Printables

There’s a serious market right now for selling printables on Etsy and similar sites. From financial printables to calendars and planners, people love saving money by printing items they can buy at a budget-friendly price.

If you’ve got a knack for graphic design and some ideas in your head about how to turn designs into usable printable items, consider starting a printable business.  

Next, let’s talk about where you should try to sell items to earn $1,000. 

Where to Sell Items for $1,000

There are several places you can sell items for $1,000. However, what you sell may change where you want to try and sell it. Here are some ideas.

Worthy

As mentioned earlier, Worthy can be a great site to use if you’re selling high quality fine jewelry such as diamond jewelry–specifically designer diamond jewelry–and designer watches. 

Worthy helps you determine a price for your jewelry piece, lists it online for you and then sells to a wholesale market.

Cash For Gold USA

Cash For Gold USA is another popular site for selling gold. You can sell online with this company or visit a store in person. 

The company also buys silver and diamonds. 

Decluttr

Decluttr makes it super easy to sell everything from electronics to textbooks to Legos. One nice thing about Decluttr is that they’ll give you an on-the-spot offer for what you’re selling.

And if you decide to sell with them, they’ll send you a free shipping label as well.  

Bookscouter

Bookscouter can be a convenient site for selling old textbooks and other books as well. Just enter the ISBN number of your books and get an immediate offer. 

Shipping is free with Bookscouter as well. 

BuybackWorld

BuybackWorld is a popular site for selling old cell phones and other electronic items. Just describe the phone you’re selling, including the condition, and get an immediate offer. 

In our research we’ve found that BuybackWorld is one of the best sites for selling old cell phones. 

Poshmark

Poshmark is the place to go if you want to sell designer clothing. List your items for sale and wait for an offer to come in. 

TheRealReal

Remember that we talked earlier about selling handbags. If you have designer handbags you want to sell, consider visiting TheRealReal.

TheRealReal helps you sell designer handbags on an auction/consignment type basis. 

Craigslist, Facebook, eBay and OfferUp

And of course, you can’t go wrong with old standbys such as Craigslist, Facebook, eBay and OfferUp. 

You can sell just about anything on these sites, you can sell locally if you wish, and they are some of the most visited websites around. 

Surprising Items You Could Sell for $1,000

• Artwork
• Antique Furniture
• Antique Medical Equipment
• Unusual Home Decor Pieces
• Rare or Antique Books
• Vintage Video Games and Consoles
• Antique Toys
• Unique Jewelry Pieces
• Rare Sports Memorabilia
• Rare Movie and TV Memorabilia

Frequently Asked Questions

Am sure you have a few questions when it comes to selling your stuff. Here are some common questions.

Final Thoughts

When you consider the question “What can I sell for $1,000?”, know that your options are nearly limitless. 

Take a good look through your home and make a list of your skills to find ways to earn money quickly. Make a challenge with yourself to earn the money as fast as you can, then get to hustling. You got this!