If you're clinging to your old vintage toys, thinking that letting them collect dust will somehow pay off your college debt, think again. That's not one of the best side hustles.
While some vintage playthings are valuable, this is the exception rather than the rule. Most old toys aren't worth much money (if any).
So, if you have any of the following items in your attic, here's your sign to donate them to a good cause without worrying about losing money.
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Ceramic or porcelain dolls
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Everyone has a grandma or great-aunt holding onto a collection of these dolls. While your relative may have held onto their collection in the hope to make extra money on the side one day. The harsh reality is that most dolls only sell for around $10, so they're probably not worth the space they're taking up.
If you have a rare doll, the selling price can reach $200. But that is probably not the case.
Pogs
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A huge fad in the 1990s was Pogs, a cardboard coin that stacks and is hit with a metal "slammer" coin. They were tradable in their day, but these days, most of them aren't worth much, maybe $1 each on eBay if you're lucky.
Most Barbie dolls
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Unless your Barbie is still in the box, very old, and very rare, it's probably not worth much. Most Barbie listings on eBay go unsold, and many of those that do sell fetch $20 or less.
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Model train sets
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The value of a vintage model train set depends on what model it is. Some may be worth something, but others have little resale value.
Cabbage Patch Kids
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These iconic toys from the 1980s began when an art student, Xavier Roberts, rediscovered "needle molding," a German sculpting technique, and used it to create soft sculpted dolls. By 1983, over 3 million dolls were "adopted."
While Cabbage Patch dolls were all the rage then, demand has dried up in recent years.
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Late-model action figures
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Granted, some action figures can supplement your income, such as original 1970s Star Wars figures in mint condition. But your box full of old G.I. Joes and My Little Ponies likely won't sell more than $20 online.
Beanie Babies
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This toy is the poster child for a collectible that once had rabidly enthusiastic fans and is now worthless. Some of these bean bag animals were worth thousands, but most are now worth less than in the 1990s, even if they still have the tags on.
Comic books
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If your comic books are newer than 1980, the only worth they have is the joy you get from reading them.
The irony is that the comics that hold the most value are the ones that were printed before people started collecting them. Hence, it's difficult to find comic books that are old enough and still intact enough to hold any value.
Strawberry Shortcake dolls
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The 1980s nostalgia trend burst on the scene with remakes of classic kids shows and toys like Strawberry Shortcake. However, even vintage versions of these dolls and figurines aren't worth much, less than $20 each.
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Fisher Price toys
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Every preschool, church nursery, and even your grandma's house once had at least a few of the classic Little People figures or a corn-popper vacuum toy.
But unless you have a complete set of these vintage playthings in immaculate condition, it's more worthwhile to donate them than to sell them.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
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July is in full swing, bringing the height of summer. That also means peak season for hot deals and unbeatable savings. Now’s the time to save big on:
- Grills, coolers, and outdoor living upgrades
- Travel must-haves for road trips and beach days
- Swimwear and summer fashion
- For grocery savings, grab seasonal produce like watermelon, peaches, and tomatoes
While you're enjoying the sunshine, retailers are quietly making room for back-to-school inventory. That makes July a prime opportunity to scoop up summer favorites while the deals are still blazing.
Stuffed animals
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We all had a favorite teddy bear as children, but most stuffed animals hardly look collectible after children grow out of them. Vintage stuffed animals don't hold much resale value, even for sought-after characters like Care Bears and Mickey Mouse.
Hot Wheels
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If you think your vintage Hot Wheels cars are worth holding onto, think again. Even 1960s and 1970s cars in the original packaging go for $10-$30 if you're lucky.
Funko Pops
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Yes, there are a few Funko Pops old enough to be considered vintage, but they're probably not worth much more than you bought them for. Most of them go for around $15.
Pokemon cards
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Like many 1990s trends, Pokémon has also made a recent comeback. So, while there is a healthy market of Pokémon trading card buyers, you're unlikely to make a killing on your vintage cards unless you have specific rare ones that are in fabulous condition.
Precious Moments figurines
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These once-collectible figurines are now the fodder of every garage sale. You won't get much for Precious Moments sculptures on eBay, but you may get a kick out of joining the Altered Moments Facebook group that repurposes the figurines by painting and altering them.
Quick tips: How to spot a scam
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Following simple safety practices can help you avoid becoming a victim of increasingly sophisticated scammers. Here are some quick safety tips:
- Verify marketplace sellers by checking their profile history.
- Communicate only through the platform's messaging system, not emails or text messages.
- Be suspicious of sellers who claim PayPal isn't working and suggest different payment methods.
- Only use PayPal's "Goods and Services" option when purchasing. "Friends and Family" does not include buyer protection.
Protecting yourself doesn't require technical expertise, just healthy skepticism and a pause before taking action.
Bottom line
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Just because a toy is old doesn't make it valuable. The desirability depends on the age, condition, and how many people want the particular edition, brand, or character your toy represents.
If online research reveals that you have a unique toy with several potential buyers, it could be worth holding onto until you find the right buyer. However, this is only true of a small number of toys that can build wealth.
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