Moving is the perfect excuse to clean out the clutter in your home – I know that because we recently moved and we got rid of a lot of stuff! But in the process of getting rid of things you no longer need, did you know that you can make money when you move that will help you pay for your costs? Whether you’re one of many Torontonians buying homes far outside the city for more space and remote work freedom, or you’re downsizing into a condo or townhouse, cleaning out the clutter can save you space in your moving truck and add a bit of extra money to your moving budget.
If you really want to make the most out of your old belongings, set your sights beyond having a garage sale. Garage sales typically don’t bring in much revenue since most customers are looking for real bargains. If you’re getting rid of belongings that are well-made, high-quality, or simply have more value than your typical garage sale fare, you can usually make a lot more by finding the right buyer.
In Toronto, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with collectors, vintage buyers, jewellers, and other experts who are willing to pay top dollar if what you’re selling does have that extra value.
Gold Jewellery and Heirlooms
One of the best ways to make money when you move is to go through your gold jewellery and heirlooms as they can often yield the highest value when you sell them. The downside of selling jewellery is you don’t end up saving much space. As a result, many people decide to keep broken and unworn gold jewellery, but you might want to consider how much selling it can help defray the cost of your move.
Gold prices have been relatively strong throughout the pandemic, and there are a lot of options if you want to sell scrap gold in Toronto. You’re not likely to find a more competitive market when it comes to gold and jewellery buyers than in Toronto, so if you’re planning on leaving the city, you may want to shop around your old jewellery first.
Antique Furniture
Unfortunately, there’s a weak market for antique furniture at the moment. Items that previous generations paid a generous price for are struggling to move, largely because the next generation of buyers are strapped for space and cash to spend on old furniture, which may be too large for their home anyway!
That said, furniture also has the highest “declutter” value when you finally get rid of it. It’s big and takes up a lot of room. There’s still a marketplace for it out there, but it helps to do your research. Make sure you also think twice about a restoration attempt. Over-ambitious restorations can turn off potential buyers.
Vintage Clothes
Selling old clothes can be very hit or miss. Much of what you have will probably be headed for the donation bin, but if you have higher-end, designer clothes or handbags that are in good condition or clothes that have come back into style, you may be able to get something reasonable for them, especially if you post them for sale on sites like Poshmark or even Facebook Marketplace.
If you decide to sell your clothes in a vintage clothing store, pay attention to seasonality. Many of the vintage shops in Toronto will make efforts to limit their stock and buy for the season, so it can pay off to plan ahead instead of trying to dump everything at the last minute.
Toys
If you have toys cluttering up your basement, especially classic or vintage toys like old LEGO sets, Barbie and Barbie accessories, Hot Wheels or even board games, you may be able to sell them on Kijiji or eBay for a tidy profit. Limited edition LEGO sets increase in value by 11% annually. A Barbie from a few decades ago in mint condition could be worth $300 or more. You can even get $100 or more for classic board games in pristine condition.
Your old belongings can still net you a surprising amount of money back, as long as you can match the right possessions with the right buyers. Go through the stuff you want to get rid of with a discerning eye so that you can make money when you move.
You may be interested in reading, “How To Save Money When Shopping Online“.
