Why selling your stuff is one of the fastest ways to get cash

When money is tight, waiting for a new side hustle to grow can feel impossible. Selling things you already own is often the quickest way to bring in cash in just a few days.

Everyday household items like trainers, a phone and kids’ books laid out on a table in a UK home, ready to be photographed and sold for quick cash.

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You are not doing anything wrong by selling things. Bills rise, kids jump up a size overnight, and Christmas or school costs come round fast. Clearing out unused bits is smart, not shameful.

Skint Dad says:

Selling things you no longer need is often the quickest side hustle most families ever try.

Quick win to try right now: check your wardrobe for branded trainers, coats or bags. These often sell within hours on local groups or Vinted.

A real example: last month, we cleared our hallway cupboard and made £68 in one day from coats and trainers we had forgotten about.

To help you get started fast, here is a simple checklist.

Quick-start checklist

If you want money this week, begin with:

Branded trainers, coats or bags
Kids’ clothes in bundles
Phones, tablets and games consoles
Lego, board games and boxed toys
Small furniture or home bits
Old books, DVDs or games in job lots

Pick 5 to 10 items from around your home and set them aside. These are your quick sellers.

What sells fastest in most UK homes

Clothes, shoes and accessories

Great for trainers, coats, jeans, handbags, sportswear and school uniform.

These are simple to photograph and post. Branded items usually sell fastest.

Kids’ clothes, toys and baby things

Bundles work really well because parents prefer one easy deal instead of ten separate listings.

Group clothes by age and toys by type.

Tech and gadgets

Phones
Tablets
Laptops
Headphones
Games consoles
Broken devices

These all sell quickly. Trade them in if you want fast money or list them privately for a higher price.

Books, DVDs and games

Box sets
Popular novels
Textbooks
Console games

These often sell well in bundles or through trade-in apps.

Furniture and home bits

Chests of drawers
Small tables
Storage units
Lamps
Mirrors

Local buyers love collecting the same day.

Hobby and sports gear

Bikes and scooters
Weights and workout gear
Camping kit
Fishing gear
Musical instruments

Most of this stuff is bought new, used twice and then forgotten.

Bigger items like cars

If you have a second car you barely use, selling it can clear debts or give you breathing room.

Where to sell for the quickest results

Vinted

Best for clothing and fashion. No selling fees.
Your earnings are yours to keep.

eBay

Good for branded clothes, collectables, tech and games.
Auctions suit rare items.
Buy It Now suits common items.

Facebook Marketplace and local groups

Best for toys, bundles, furniture and home bits.
Free, fast and ideal for same-day collection.

Trade-in companies for tech

Simple and quick.
Good options include:

CeX
musicMagpie
World of Books (for books, DVDs, games)

Car-buying sites

Good if you want an easy sale.
WeBuyAnyCar and dealer comparison sites offer quick payment with no fuss.

Simple tips that boost your selling price

Photos

Use natural light
Keep backgrounds tidy
Show the item from several angles
Show any marks clearly

Descriptions

State the brand and condition
Add measurements for clothes
Mention smoke-free or pet-free home if true
For tech, include battery info and accessories included

Being honest helps buyers trust you.

How to stay safe when selling

Meet in a public place when you can
Have someone with you if collection is at home
Use bank transfer or cash
Avoid strange payment links or anyone asking you to confirm a code

If something feels wrong, do not go ahead.

The simple version of tax rules

Do not stress. Most people selling a few personal items do not owe any tax.

The easy version:

Selling your own belongings usually does not involve tax
If you start buying things to resell or making items to sell, you have a £1,000 allowance each tax year
Only if you earn more than £1,000 from trading might you need to tell HMRC

If unsure, just keep a simple list of your sales.

Quick action plan for this week

Choose one room and find at least 10 unused items
Sort them into piles: clothes, tech, kids’ bits, books and other
List your easiest five items tonight
Put the money you make towards your most pressing bill or this week’s food shop

Small wins add up. Even £20 or £30 can lift the pressure.