If you want to invest a small amount of money for a big future profit, the stock market is a good place to start. But don’t overlook the supermarket and other places where you can find everyday items that might be valuable later. It’s a chance to make up for those things you tossed as a kid that are now worth a lot. While it’s hard to predict exactly what will become valuable, here are some of the best things to collect for profit that could be worth saving.
Top Things to Collect That Could Be Worth Money
If you’re wondering what the best things are to collect now, check out our list below to get an understanding of what and why they’re the best items worth investing in today:
Funko Pops
If you haven’t heard of Funko Pops, just ask some kids or collectors. These are vinyl toys that look like celebrities or characters from movies and TV shows. While most are mass-produced, some are made in small quantities and sold only at toy fairs or Comic-Con events. These rare figures can be very valuable. For instance, a Chewbacca figure from the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con recently sold for $2,700 on eBay, which is a huge profit from its original $20 price.
First Edition Copies of Popular Books
Being able to recognize a future best-seller can be very profitable. When a new book is released, publishers print a small number of first editions to test demand. As a result, first editions of popular books like the Harry Potter series are rare and can sell for hundreds of dollars. If you were lucky enough to buy a first edition of Twilight, The Da Vinci Code, or A Game of Thrones, it could be a valuable investment, though it’s not the same as a real investment account.
Cereal Boxes
Before you throw away that empty cereal box, consider keeping it to sell later because some of these things will be worth money in the future. Pop culture history is reflected in cereal boxes, and collectors pay a lot for old ones featuring celebrities, popular cartoon characters, or unique prizes. Boxes with images of the Beatles have sold for thousands of dollars. Recently, an unopened 1989 cereal box with a hologram of Nintendo characters sold for nearly $1,000.
McDonald’s Items
McDonald’s Happy Meal toys are some of the things to collect that will be worth money in the future. It can cause a collector’s frenzy, but even ordinary items from McDonald’s can be valuable, especially if they are rare or discontinued. For instance, McDonald’s is switching from plastic straws to paper ones. In the U.K., someone recently paid nearly $100 on eBay for 400 plastic straws. Other valuable McDonald’s items include old mini coffee spoons and limited-edition Szechuan dipping sauce, which also sell for high prices.
First-Gen Amazon Echo
If you have a first-generation Amazon Echo with Alexa and want to upgrade, don’t throw it away or donate it. Consider buying an older model if you can find one and save it. As technology advances, a first-gen Echo could soon seem like a relic, and people love relics. For example, someone recently paid $250 on eBay for a boxed Motorola StarTAC flip phone from the 1990s.
Instant/Polaroid Photos
Even though most phones can take pictures, people still buy cameras, like instant ones that print photos right away. These instant pictures are becoming valuable, just like old Polaroids and photo slides. So, don’t toss out your vacation photos! Check eBay and you’ll see that some Polaroid photos sell for $10 each, and slides of cool places can go for up to $50 each.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
You’re not alone if you’re thinking, “Really? A hairdryer?” But the new Dyson Supersonic hairdryer might be worth keeping because it could become iconic one day. It’s currently sold for $429. Its sleek design is like the cool electronics from the 1960s and ’70s, which are valuable now. For instance, a circular Panasonic Toot-a-Loop radio from the ’70s sells for $65 to over $100 on eBay.
Nintendo DS
You can buy a new Nintendo DS for less than $100 online. And remember, video game stuff that’s cheap now could be worth a lot later. As newer gaming systems come out, the old ones become rare. Plus, lots of people love to relive their childhoods and are willing to pay for it. For example, original Atari sets now sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Sneakers
There’s a big market for first-edition or special release sneakers, which are traded like valuable money. Just like fine wine, new or slightly worn sneakers often become more valuable over time. This is especially true for limited styles from Nike or Adidas. What’s new now could become a valuable vintage item soon. For example, used Nike Air Jordan 1’s from 1985 can sell for over $1,500, and a brand-new pair in the box recently sold for nearly $4,000 on eBay. They originally sold for about $65.
2016 Election Newspapers
Everyone, no matter their political views, agrees that the 2016 presidential election was surprising and had a big impact on U.S. history. People who want to hold onto a piece of that history are buying newspapers from November 9, 2016, the day after the election. Copies of The New York Post and Los Angeles Times are selling for up to $99 on eBay. And in the future, they could be worth even more. Newspapers from past presidential elections in the 1980s can sell for up to $45, and the famous mistaken “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline from 1948 can be worth thousands.
Collect the Most Iconic Items and Invest for Future Profit
Interested in turning small investments into big profits? Consider collecting everyday items that could become valuable treasures in the future. From nostalgic toys to historic newspapers, there’s a world of potential wealth waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s cereal boxes, old gadgets, or classic sneakers, these items have the potential to fetch significant sums down the line. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to invest in pieces of history that could one day yield substantial returns!