Before sailing off into the worklife sunset, consider downsizing as a key step aside from ensuring you’re financially ready to retire. One person’s junk can be another’s treasure, so donating underused and low-value items can prevent feeling overwhelmed. Carefully planning over several months can help. Setting goals, such as generating additional retirement savings through selling valuable items, can be beneficial. An itemized inventory of your belongings can assist in this process. Consider when you last used an item; if it’s been six months, get rid of it. Use three boxes labeled “yes, no, or maybe” to sort your belongings. The “maybe” box should remain minimal. If you take a few months to decide, this can reduce anxiety and prevent premature decisions. Besides selling household items, refrain from purchasing unnecessary household goods to save money.
Before selling assets for retirement income, consider how you will utilize the income, the impact on heirs or dependents, your income goal, and any tax implications. Here are common items to consider selling.
Reconsider owning one or more vehicles
Luxury cars might be tempting, but any vehicle can become a financial burden. If you and your spouse both own vehicles, reevaluate this decision. According to AAA, the average cost of owning a vehicle in 2024 was $12,297. Owning two vehicles sums up to $24,594 annually. A new car’s suggested retail price in 2024 was $38,883. These figures provide a rough estimate of holding onto unnecessary vehicles.
If your spouse continues to work, selling one vehicle is wise. According to Kelly Blue Book, after five years, a new vehicle’s resale value drops by 44.6%. Using the 2024 AAA estimate, this means a $38,883 vehicle would have a resale value of $21,541. Selling unnecessary vehicles can save you $12,297 annually.
Don’t leave retirement income in storage
Downsizing should include selling stored items. Evaluate the value of stored items and whether they justify the cost of the storage unit. If items are unused, consider selling or donating them. According to Storeganise, storage unit owners average $184,500 annually on rentals. Depending on the size, you might spend $49 to $296 monthly on storage. If storing a vehicle, costs can reach $457 per month. An April 2025 Northwestern Mutual study found that 51% of Americans fear outliving their savings. Save money by not paying for unused storage.
Old toys can earn you more than play money
Old toys, whether yours or your children’s, might be worth substantial money. Inform your children about downsizing and offer a timeframe for them to pick up their toys. If needed, charge for storing these items or sell them. Some McDonald’s Happy Meal toys and rare Batman toy play sets are worth a lot. Evaluate toy worth before discarding them.
Research collector and auction sites to determine if your old toys have value. Reach out to experts for evaluation. Factors such as collector interest, condition, popularity, and rarity influence toy value. Items from the 1980s or earlier, especially in original packaging, might be valuable.
There’s a new market for old media
“What’s old is new again” applies to VHS tapes, DVDs, and CDs. A May 2024 New York Post article discusses Gen Xers reviving VHS by creating basement video stores. Gen Zers and Millennials are rediscovering analog entertainment, with collectors searching eBay and joining communities like r/VHS and The NYC VHS Collective. Old Disney movies on VHS can be lucrative opportunities for savvy sellers.
DVDs, with bonus content, retain a following. Platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace offer extensive titles. Communities like r/dvdcollection on Reddit provide a community for collectors. “The Real Ghostbusters: The Complete Series” DVD set is listed for $999.99 on eBay.
Vinyl records, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, had a sales volume of 43.6 million units. Demand challenges pressing companies, making old vinyl records valuable.
Your jewelry collection is good as gold
Family heirlooms, like engagement rings, are worth keeping. However, old jewelry that isn’t worn often should be considered for sale. While online sales are possible, risks like shipping valuables, delayed payments, and scams suggest visiting an antique or second-hand jeweler. Uninsured jewelry holds more value when sold for cash than left vulnerable at home. Since jewelry shouldn’t be stored in a safe deposit box, selling it is safer and profitable.
Research or have an appraiser evaluate your vintage jewelry before selling. This is essential for items made with valuable materials such as gold, diamonds, platinum, or gems. Appraisers should charge flat fees or hourly rates, not based on value percentages. Retro-style jewelry may hold significant value.
Here’s why it’s time to offload some stocks
If you own stocks, consider selling or downsizing your holdings. While not necessary to sell everything, leverage favorable market conditions. For retirees, stock downturns pose a risk. For instance, Tesla stocks plummeted in 2025. As per Yahoo! Finance, Tesla shares peaked at $279.47 on April 29, 2025, but were higher at $427 on December 30, 2024.
Selling stocks doesn’t end investing; it means smarter investing. For ages 60 to 69, T.RowePrice advises reallocating portfolios to minimize short-term market risks. Consider a bond and cash-focused portfolio: 30% to 50% bonds, up to 10% cash, and 45% to 65% stocks. Unsure of what to offload? These are the types of stocks to sell before retirement to save money.
Here’s how dressing down in retirement can earn you cash
If you have work uniforms or suits you no longer need, consider selling them to generate extra income before retiring. Secondhand stores or vintage shops can provide cash while giving your clothes a new life. For business suits, platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace allow for direct selling. Luxury or designer clothing can be sold on Amazon luxury stores like The Shop by Shopbop or The Luxury Closet, earning 65% to 85% of the item’s value.
Rockstar Mechanics suggests beginner mechanics find affordable tools at pawn shops, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, discount tool shops, or third-party sites like eBay. If your career involved using tools, this advice provides insight into selling them at the end of your career.
Old books and magazines can mean new money
According to The Spruce, used books sell for 20% to 50% of their initial price, with pristine prints potentially higher. Online platforms ease this process. Use BookScouter to estimate book value using its ISBN number. Track past sales and optimal selling times. Besides Amazon and eBay, Cash4YourBooks specializes in bulk purchases. Rare books might hold hidden value. AbeBooks specializes in rare books and offers a free initial period. They deal with everything from art to valuable cookbooks.
For magazines, platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Amazon are useful. Vintagemagazine.com may be better for high-value vintage magazines, as specialists can appraise them. However, reach out to confirm interest in specific titles.
Renting might make more sense
In retirement, two views exist on real estate: retaining homeownership or considering renting. According to a Bankrate study, the average U.S. homeownership cost in 2025 was $21,400 annually, including upkeep, bills, taxes, insurance, WiFi, and cable. Costs range from $27,344 in Washington to $34,573 in Hawaii, with lower expenses in West Virginia and Arkansas.
Considering personal circumstances, weigh staying in your home against renting. Factor in mobility, assisted living needs, housing market impacts, or moving to a retirement community. The latter offers social activities, close-knit retiree communities, and eliminates maintenance worries. In the cheapest U.S. states to retire, renting might make financial and social sense.
Upcycling furniture can boost retirement savings
If you’re selling your home or downsizing, you’re unlikely to need all your furniture. While charities may welcome gently used furniture, selling can help build retirement savings. According to Clutter, furniture pricing depends on age, condition, and cleanliness. Price items 50% to 70% of their original price. A $1,000 sofa might still fetch $500 to $700. Fair pricing motivates buyers.
If selling online, decluttering experts at Clutter recommend high-quality photos, transparency about condition, and engaging stories about the furniture. Facebook Marketplace and eBay offer visibility, while AptDeco and Chairish cater to vintage and high-end furniture buyers.
Here’s how to sell outdated tech and electronics
If you have unused electronics, sell them to someone who will use them. March 2025 research by Capital One found that 93% of Americans shop for secondhand products online, with 18% at thrift stores and 15% at resale or consignment stores annually. Thrift store shoppers save $1,760 annually, contributing to a $53 billion secondhand market in 2023.
Selling secondhand online is easy with sites like Swappa, providing item pricing estimates and staff support to ensure smooth transactions and avoid scams. You can trade tech for credit with Amazon Trade-In, which offers Amazon eGift cards or discounts on eligible Amazon devices.
