Make money from broken and half-used stuff

Updated 30th January 2025

It’s surprising how you really can make money from broken and half-used stuff. Things you would normally throw away might be another man’s treasure. This is true on sites like eBay, eBid, Gumtree, and Ziffit. Don’t rule anything out!

• Make money from broken mobile phones
• Make money from broken computers and iPads
• Sell half-used bottles of perfume and creams
• Sell old books, CDs and DVDs
• Make money selling toilet roll innards
• Broken Jewellery, crockery and even guitars
• Sell old gift vouchers for cash

 

Make money from broken mobile phones

It really doesn’t matter what state your old mobile phone is in – you can always get something out of it.

Even a really old, non-smartphone model that isn’t working can bring in a fiver or so. Companies like to use the parts, particularly the chip, which can be used in caravans and other vehicles to track them.

Dig out your old mobile phones from the back of your drawers and see how much you can get from them.

 

Make money from broken computers and iPads

It really doesn’t matter what state your laptop, desktop, iPad or printer is in. Someone will always be happy to take it off your hands.

Broken Apple products

Pretty much anything made by Apple can be sold, whatever state it is in. A broken laptop, for example, can be sold on eBay. Computer menders and people who love Apple products will pay decent money for them.

Broken laptops and desktops

Take a look at what similar products are selling for on eBay and put yours up for roughly the same amount. If you have a bundle of bits (cables, mice and other items) you could sell them as a job lot. Again, see what others are selling them for. Name a ‘buy it now’ price, but accept offers.

If you just want to get rid of them…

…just put them on Freecycle.org or the ‘free stuff’ section on Gumtree. There’s always someone who will come and take them off your hands for free.

You could also offer computers and other technology that you don’t want to special charities. For example, Computers For Charity use them to help children in developing countries in their education.

 

Sell half-used bottles of perfume and creams

People who love expensive perfume are often quite happy to buy half-used bottles of their favourite scent. If you have Channel No.5, Versace, Dior, Mugler or one of the other posh brands, you can definitely make money selling them on eBay. Cheaper brands go well at car boot sales.

Perfume fan Kirsty Bowman-Vaughan regularly buys half-used bottles, and is very happy with the result. “I bought a bottle of Channel No.5 recently which was about three quarters full,” she says. “It cost me £25. I’m very happy with that. I don’t mind at all that it is second-hand. I think it’s a bargain!”

It’s the same with good brands of cleansers, moisturisers, toners, and other cosmetics. Even make-up – if a good brand like Clinique, Dior, or Elizabeth Arden – can sell well on eBay or eBid. You can also try sites like DePop and Vinted, or the NextDoor app too.

Take good photographs of the products. Make sure you’re very accurate about the state of them: how much is left, how old they are, etc – and price them at a similar price to others that have sold on the site.

 

Sell old books, CDs and DVDs

On the reselling website Ziffit.com you can get rid of old books, CDs and DVDs that you don’t want anymore. Even ones that have dog-eared pages, broken cases and torn paper can sell for something.

All you need to do is to download the Ziffit app via Google Play or the App store, scan all your items, and, if you like the amount of money they are offering, accept it. You can send the items off for free. They’ll give you the money straight away either via Paypal or cheque.

See our article here about how to sell your books, CDs and DVDs on Ziffit.

 

Make money selling toilet roll innards

As you can see in our article on how to make money on the toilet, it’s possible to sell the insides of toilet rolls for cash. Parents and nursery school teachers buy them for children’s arts and crafts.

It’s not huge money – about £7 for 50. But if you have the space to store them as you collect 50 or so, it could be worth it!

 

Broken jewellery, crockery and even guitars

Put in the word ‘broken’ into eBay  or on Gumtree – it’s amazing what comes up:

• Job lots of broken jewellery
• Old, broken iPhones and iPads
• Bits of broken crockery (sold ‘for craft’)
• Broken guitars

…and more.

Before you throw something out, consider whether it could possibly be used by someone for parts, for craft, for playing with, or for turning into something good.

 

Sell old gift vouchers for cash

If you got some gift vouchers for Christmas or your birthday, but you don’t want to use them, you can get money back selling them online at CardYard. Even if they are dog-eared, someone will be pleased to take them off your hands.

Hunt through your wallet and drawers to see if you can find an old one that is still valid, and make some money from it!

 

The post Make money from broken and half-used stuff appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Have a Tech Spring Clean to Save Cash and Make Money

Updated 30th January 2025

There are over 40 million unused bits of technology cluttering up homes across the UK. If you have a few bits lying around, it’s time for a tech spring clean! Dig out those old unwanted mobile phones and broken tablets and see if you can earn yourself a decent chunk of cash.

Here’s our easy guide to help you find the best places to sell and recycle old tech online and get the best deals you can.

• Mindful Decluttering
• Before Parting With Your Tech
• Where to Sell
• Where to Trade-In
• Make Money From Broken Electronics
• Recycling Tech

Mindful Decluttering

When it comes to clearing your tech, it’s important to make sure you’re not just looking for the instant cash boost that might mean you end up paying more later down the line. We’re often tempted to go all-out when we declutter to try and make room and feel better about our home space being free of stuff. However, rash decisions can mean you end up buying again – often at a higher cost – only a few months later.

Unless you’re really strapped for cash and need the money right now, think about whether you could continue with the piece of tech for a little longer. Some things will be an obvious clear-out, such as broken items or that Nokia 3310 hiding in the back of your cupboard. But if you’ve got a laptop that is a little slow but does the job, consider hanging on until you can comfortably buy a new one in the spring sales.

Before Parting With Your Tech

So you’ve had a clear out and found a few devices you no longer use and are going to sell? Great.

But before you start selling make sure that any data is backed up and then deleted from the device. Then, restore each device to factory settings. While most third party sellers say they professionally reset every device they receive, you don’t want it falling into wrong hands. If someone can access your personal photos, passwords, or card and banking details, which most phones now automatically store, it could cause you serious trouble down the line.

If you have an Apple device, make sure you delete your Apple account from it. You can make sure this is done by accessing your Apple account online through iCloud and see which devices are linked to it. Deregister the device from there if you can see it, to make sure nobody can get access from the second-hand device. It is also important to do this because a second-hand shop will require the removal of your account before they will take it from you.

Where to Sell

You can sell old tech in high street stores such as Cex, and there is an abundance of sites online where you can sell, too. Best practice is to shop around before selling to make sure you get the best deal, particularly if you’re selling a relatively new device.

Compare and Recycle is a great site to use! Simply search for the product you are selling and it’ll list prices being offered, how you can be paid and how long until you receive payment. It’s a good way to make sure you’re getting the best deals possible to make the most of your tech spring clean.

GIFFGAFF

Old phones can bring in an extra few pounds. If you update your phone every few years, chances are you have a couple of spares around the house. Networks such as giffgaff will buy these off you to put some extra cash in your pocket.

Music Magpie

No relation to us – except for the money making ethos! Music Magpie buys everything from mobile phones, to Kindles, tablets, and laptops, to CDs and DVDs and books. It’s easy to use: start an order online by inputting the items you wish to sell and receive an instant quote.

To complete an order it has to reach a minimum of £5 and you can have a maximum of 500 items in one order. No worries if you have even more – you are allowed to complete as many orders as you wish.

Money 4 My Tech

Money 4 My Tech buys a range of electronics including laptops, iMacs, tablets, games consoles, iPods, and headphones. Depending on the size of your items you can either borrow packaging from them for free and return when you send your order or request a collection from you. Both options are free of charge.

Ebay

The third party sellers make it easy to send of your old tech to them but it is worth checking out whether you can make any more money by selling it directly yourself. So much technology (used and broken too) is sold on eBay every year. Research yourself to see if people are selling similar items to yours and what prices they are selling for.

If you’re selling on eBay, be very accurate with your description. If there are scratches, show them in photos. If the device is broken, list as for spares and repairs. Take a video of the item in working order and also of the packaging you put it into before sending to the buyer. This will help you with any disputes. Private sellers don’t have to accept returns but they might be required to refund a buyer if the buyer complains about an inaccuracy in your description versus what they received.

Where to Trade In

Trading in is another option to recycle your old electronics and save money. If you’re looking to purchase a new version or upgrade then you can get better deals by agreeing to a voucher rather than hard cash.

On Wex Photo & Video it is easy to submit a request for an instant no-obligation quote. If you agree to the quote, you’ll receive credit you can spend in-store or online. They also offer regular trade-in bonuses with up to an additional £500 available.

Apple offers a trade-in on Apple products (but you might get a better deal for vouchers or cash elsewhere, so do shop around before you choose).

Most phone service providers also welcome old phone trade-ins and will offer discounts off your next purchase in exchange for them. Samsung, for example, also offers serious discounts for wearable tech like the Galaxy Watch.

Make Money From Broken Electronics

Devices not in working order still make money! Your tech spring clean hasn’t been futile – you can get cash for your broken tech.

eBay

eBay is a goldmine for broken technology – devices with smashed screens, broken buttons, and dead batteries are all being sold! A lot of people buy old tech on eBay to break down the items and use parts so it’s the perfect site to use to make money from your damaged items.

Make sure you are accurate in the description of the product you are listing and fully disclose the extent of the damage so it doesn’t backfire on you later on.

Gadget Salvation

Gadget Salvation is happy to take almost any device off your hands, even if it’s broken. It’s on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll need to fill out a form about your broken tech to get a quote.

Recycling Tech

Sending electronics to landfill is not only a waste of parts but begins to cause enormous environmental problems, too. Even if you don’t want the extra hassle of selling your old tech, make sure to recycle it and not put it in the rubbish.

Recycle Now is a very useful site that tells you how you can easily recycle your old tech – giving means they can sell on the products for cash, or take it to a household waste and recycling centre where they have an area specifically designed for electronics. Use the tool here to find your nearest electrical recycling point.

Your local tip will also have an area specifically for recycling old technology and gadgets, too.

Need more ideas? Read our article about making money from broken and used things!

More Useful Reading

For more ideas on how to declutter and make money from all your unwanted items, check out more of our articles here:

• Make Money – Sell CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, Video Games and Books
• Clear Your Clutter: How to Turn Your Trash Into Hard Cash
• 5 Ways to Make Money Selling Your Junk
• Declutter Your Life in 10 Easy Steps

The post Have a Tech Spring Clean to Save Cash and Make Money appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

How to make money from heavy snow

If you want to make money from bad weather, there are a huge number of ways to do so. Snow is the biggest money maker when it comes to earning extra income from atmospheric conditions, as it’s the hardest to manage when it comes down heavily.

If predictions are to be believed, and the UK is set for another intense period of cold and snowfall at some point this winter, this may be the most important article you read this year.

• Clear snow
• Run errands for neighbours 
• Sell winter goods
• Rent out winter gear 
• Sell your storm photos 
• Offer to babysit 
• Offer to dog/cat sit
• Use your snow days more effectively 
• Offer transportation 
• Clear your clutter

 

Clear Snow

While shoveling pavements, driveways and digging out cars is physically taxing, it can also be lucrative.

Most people have no desire to spend hours shoveling their home out after a storm. Others, especially the elderly, may not be able to physically perform the task at all.

Consider offering a special deal (or free shoveling services) to low-income seniors or others who may be unable to clear their own snow. It’s a great way to get some buzz while doing a good deed.

Here is a video on Youtube which highlights the correct technique to use when shoveling snow – which is important to know, even if you’re simply clearing your own drive.

To go the extra mile — and maybe earn a tip or two — sprinkle ice melt on sidewalks and driveways. If you want to seem extra professional, leave a card with your contact details for next time.

Run errands for neighbours

Just because most transportation has ground to a halt doesn’t mean people don’t still need to run errands. From medicine deliveries to stocking up on extra groceries, people still need essentials during heavy snowfall. 

If the roads are in decent shape, you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle and good winter driving skills, consider running errands for neighbours and other people you know who may not be able to get out and about.

Winter driving is a lot more difficult that you might think, so make sure to check out or dedicated article on travelling in the winter by following the link below.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles! – Critical Winter Travel Advice

You could either market yourself on your own or take advantage of a service like Task Rabbit that will match you up with people who need help running errands.

 

Sell Shovels, Snow Brushes and Ice Scrapers

Snow is never a guarantee in the UK, which is why the country struggles to deal with it when it comes down heavily. People don’t see the value in investing in equipment if they aren’t going to use it for years. However, when the snow does eventually arrive, millions scramble around to get hold of clearing goods.

By investing a small amount on Amazon, Gumtree or Ebay, you could build up a big collection of goods to sell on for a small profit if the snow does arrive. Even if it isn’t this year, the next ‘Best from the East’ won’t be far behind.

Buy snow cleaning products here.

 

Rent Out Snowblowers, Sleds and Other Winter Gear

While people might easily shell out some cash for a sturdy snow shovel, they may only want to rent a snowblower for a short length of time.

Consider renting out snowblowers, and other winter gear, even heavy winter clothing.

If you’re the type to go on skiing holiday, you can also rent out your gear to people looking to have some fun on hills as there aren’t exactly many opportunities to ski in the UK!

Find other ways you can make money by renting out your stuff. 

 

Sell Your Storm Photos

Everybody loves seeing a photo or video which demonstrates the power of Mother Nature. So, if you manage to get a snap of a lightning bolt, a huge incoming storm or just your your dog enjoying the snow, call up your local news stations and publications (even national ones) and offer to send a watermarked version for their consideration.

If travel is difficult, news crews can’t be everywhere, and they may be willing to pay for your epic storm photos.

Also, look into stock photography options, where you can earn a few pounds or so per photo on the likes of Shutterstock or Unsplash.

 

Babysit for  Parents

Just because there’s a giant storm doesn’t mean all parents can stay home from work.

Offer your babysitting services to neighbors and friends, watching their kids if they’re called off to work, and earn some money while doing so.

If you’re a student, this is the perfect way to earn money and get some study time in over the holiday season.

You can even promote the fun, snow-related activities that you’ll do with the kids, including sledding, making snow angels, building a snowman and baking if you have the skills to get it done.

 

Provide Pet Care and Pet Sitting

Some pet owners have to head to work during a big storm, and others are physically unable to walk their dog through large snow drifts. 

A pair of snowshoes or skis can certainly come in handy for dog walking so if you have a pair, you could help a lot of people out.

If you have time off during the holidays student dog sitting, like babysitting, can be a great way to earn some money while you get some work done.

Find out more about dog walking here.

 

Offer Transportation

Once more, if you have a four wheel drive car, you could offer to take people on important journeys which they may not be able to make without a powerful vehicle.

As is the case in the UK, trains and buses are often stopped at the slightest hint of snow, so there will be a lot of people needing support if a big storm comes along.

Adding a set of snow chains to your car will help you justify charging a small fee.

You can get your hands on chains for wheels from Halfords here.

 

clear your clutter

If you’re stuck inside with not a lot to do, you might as well clear your clutter and discover how much your unused items will be worth.

Check out our dedicated guides and videos which are packed full of useful information on how to make the most of clearing your clutter here.

Declutter your life – Free Ebook download 

 

Help With Clean Up

Blizzards pack a punch and, with high winds, they can leave a trail of wreckage and damage. Helping with the clear up can earn you some extra income.

Walking around areas with a lot of trees may reveal damaged properties and blockages on driveways, which you can offer to clear for a fee.

From chopping and hauling away downed trees (which you may be able to keep for firewood), to repairing downed fences, and picking up wayward shingles that have blown off roofs, there is plenty of work to do after a storm.

For more help and advice on surviving and thriving this winter, click on any of the links below.

How to Survive the Winter Blues: Part 2

Broadband and TV Packages – Winter Deals 

Save Money by Preparing your Garden this Winter

Get your Home Ready for the Winter

Save Money on Car Maintenance this Winter

The post How to make money from heavy snow appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Cold Weather Payment Due to Current UK Freeze

If you’re on a low income, or certain benefits, you can get a Cold Weather Payment from the government, as hundreds of postcodes in England and Wales will receive £25 over the next two weeks. 

What is a Cold Weather Payment?

The Cold Weather Payment is triggered if average temperatures hit freezing or below for seven days in a row: payments will be made to homes across north-east England, Cumbria, west Wales and as far south as Oxfordshire, where the lowest recorded temperature was recently –9.7C. 

You can see if you’re entitled to the payment by going here and entering your postcode here. 

You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.

After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments. 

These payments do not affect your other benefits.

Further Reading.

Are you eligible for this benefit this winter? 

Apply for £1500 Energy Support Fund

What to do if you can’t pay your energy bill?

The post Cold Weather Payment Due to Current UK Freeze appeared first on MoneyMagpie.