I Made $500 in a Week Selling Things I Already Owned

I used to look around my apartment and see clutter everywhere: old clothes, gadgets I barely touched, books I’d never read again.

For years, I told myself I’d deal with it “someday.”

Then I realized that all this stuff wasn’t just clutter, it was potential cash.

I decided to run a small experiment: sell as much as I could in one week and see how much money I could make.

I didn’t expect much — maybe $50 or $100.

But to my surprise, by the end of the week, I had made $500, just by selling things I already owned.

Here’s how I did it.

Step 1: Take Inventory

The first step was simple but crucial: see what I had to sell.

I went room by room and made three piles:

Definitely selling: items in good condition that I no longer used.
Maybe selling: items I might keep if I couldn’t sell them quickly.
Keep: items I truly needed or loved.

I was honest with myself: of I hadn’t used it in six months, it was probably safe to sell.

My “definitely selling” pile included:

Old tech gadgets: headphones, keyboards, a tablet I never used
Clothes and shoes I no longer wore
Books, board games, and collectibles

Step 2: Price Strategically

I quickly learned that price is key.

If it’s too high, it won’t sell; too low, and I leave money on the table.

I used a few strategies:

Look up similar items online to gauge market value
Set prices slightly lower than the average to sell quickly
Bundle items when possible (like five books together) to make them more appealing

I also factored in shipping costs when listing online, so I wouldn’t lose money after fees and postage.

Step 3: Choose the Right Platforms

I didn’t want to sell everything in a garage sale style, so I picked platforms where buyers are already looking:

eBay for electronics and collectibles
Facebook Marketplace for local sales (avoided shipping)
Poshmark for clothing and shoes

Using these platforms meant I didn’t have to chase buyers, they came to me.

For local sales, I met buyers in safe, public areas, and for online sales, I printed shipping labels in advance.

Step 4: Make Listings Easy to Find

Good photos and descriptions were key. I took clear pictures from multiple angles, included brand names, measurements, and condition.

I also used keywords that buyers would search for.

For example:

“Nike Air Max, size 9, gently used” instead of just “shoes”
“iPad 2018, 32GB, works perfectly” instead of “old iPad”

Even a few extra details increased the chances of a quick sale.

Step 5: Manage Time Efficiently

I dedicated about 2–3 hours a day for one week to photograph, list, and answer messages.

That’s it.

I didn’t spend hours negotiating or chasing buyers. Instead, I focused on efficiency and responsiveness.

Step 6: Results

By the end of the week:

Electronics: $200
Clothing: $150
Books and games: $150

Total: $500 in seven days.

I was shocked at how quickly my unused items turned into cash.

Beyond the money, my apartment felt lighter and more organized, which was a bonus I hadn’t expected.

Step 7: Lessons Learned

Decluttering pays off: Items you don’t use can generate real income.
Pricing strategically is crucial: A small adjustment can mean the difference between a sale and sitting on items for months.
Platform choice matters: Sell where buyers are already looking.
Time investment is minimal: A few focused hours can yield hundreds of dollars.
Bundle items to move inventory faster: This works especially well for books, games, or small electronics.

Selling things I already owned wasn’t just about making $500.

It was about changing my mindset.

I realized that extra income doesn’t always require a new hustle or complicated system; sometimes, it’s already sitting in your closet.

If you’re looking for quick cash or just want to declutter, try this experiment.

Take inventory, price smartly, list efficiently, and watch your old belongings become new money.