Everyone has that one messy junk drawer filled with random cables, old menus, batteries, and bits of defunct tech. But what if among all that clutter, you’re actually sitting on a fortune? Before you toss anything, it might be worth taking a closer look — some items from as far back as 2007 could soon be worth as much as $50,000 or more.
Adam Koprucki, founder of Real World Investor, recently told the New York Post that many people unknowingly throw away items that could fund their retirement. He says by 2030, common objects in your home might be worth more than your current investments.
A famous story reminds us of a man who discarded a hard drive containing Bitcoin, a mistake that ended up costing him over $500 million. But if you’ve kept some of the gadgets from past years, especially smartphones, you might be in luck. Koprucki highlights the first-generation iPhone from 2007—originally sold for $499—that can now sell for upwards of $20,000 if unopened, with prices expected to climb over $50,000 by 2030.
This isn’t just speculation. In 2023, a factory-sealed 8GB original iPhone sold for more than $63,000 at auction, while a rarer 4GB model fetched nearly $190,000. But it’s not just phones; other collectibles like first-edition books, classic games, and retro toys can also command high prices. Koprucki mentions items like Star Wars toys, Pokémon cards, and original Transformers toys in sealed packaging, some fetching tens of thousands of dollars.
For instance, first-edition Harry Potter books bought for under $20 years ago can now sell for over $50,000, and a sealed copy of the Super Mario Bros. game sold for $2 million in 2021, a huge leap from its original price of about $30. If you think something in your home could be valuable, it’s best to get it appraised privately before listing it online to avoid selling for less than it’s worth.
